Thread: Pre-shave Preparation

My beard is like a wire brush but I never found that prep was needed for me. Just a well honed razor.

My beard is like a copper wire pot scrubber. The approach that works best for me is as follows:
1. Shower
2. splash some warm water on my stubble, apply Proraso preshave cream or Noxema.
3. apply a warm/hot wet facecloth over the preshave cream. Hold for 30-45 seconds (enjoy the scent and the heat)
4. Face-lather
5. Shave with a sharp SR.
6. Enjoy.

Previously I used lots of different pre shave products, Clarins oil was my favorite.

Then I purchased a top quality brush and decided not to infect it with any kind of oil and started shaving with only a hot shower as pre shave treatment.

Nower days I've realised that a razor honed on jnats to it's full potential requires nothing, not even a hot shower....

Thanks tcrideshd. I hate to sound so stupid, but I just do not remember a Ron Utopian. Time is taking its toll on my synapsis. Recently I had problems with nicking myself which hasn't occurred in years. I had wondered if it was a new cream I was trying. I switched back to my former medium and the nicks stopped, so there are no nicks, at least according to the lighted 60x loupe I use. My blade edges are rather shiny with low scuffing on the cutting edge. So I am relatively convinced that it is not my blades even though I don't have expensive stones to hone with. Anyway, my conclusion came down to the new cream since I have no longer received any nicks. I have gone through three different razors (I keep seven and rotate daily).
I am taking it that you have knowledge where on this site I can find Michigan members and I would appreciate that information if you would.
All my years of shaving with an SR all I ever used was a can of Barbersol, or another brand. I always stayed cheap. My shaves with either safety or straight always came out the same. There was stubble that seemed to remain, even when I stepped out and upped my game to a three blade safety razor. Now, since being on this forum my horizons have broadened and my shaves have been much closer than before, but just cant achieve the baby butt smooth shave. Maybe I am delusional about that close of a shave, but I have to admit that learning a bit more about honing and the loupe and having a decent strop has meant a lot. Again thank you for your reply. I appreciate the response.

I wash my face with either Noxema or Olive Oil based soap. A good soap, good lather, sharp edge, and off we go.

Job15. Thanks. I looked up the JNATs stones and they are far, far out of the range of my pocket. I live off a restricted retirement and SS. It is even getting to be more difficult to pay for my medications with our Obama Socialized Medicine, but thank you for responding to my quest.

Mainaman. Thanks. Simple. I like that. Don't tell anyone, but the quicker I can get the job done the happier I am. Not a big fan of spending a lot of time carving away the hairs on my face. My biggest problem is the left side of my nose the way the wrinkles twist about makes it tough. That is one area I have to be careful because it is the spot where most of the nicks would occur.

Whizbang. Thanks for that. I have started using Noxema but never considered the hot cloth over it. I always clean it off first then the hot cloth. Gonna give that one a try. Thanks for responding to this thread. I appreciate it.

I keep the foam for fast emergency use when necessary, which is not frequent.

I use a beard shampoo in the shower before shaving and it softens my whiskers more than just a hot towel treatment. My face is seriously sensitive to oils and the like, so its really my best option.