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I was just wondering(since i have never used them) what are the benifit's of using them, my guess is softening of the skin/whiskers as well as improving razor glide. i am wanting to try them, is there any that i should avoid, my skin is not dry or sensitive, is experimentation the key.
does anyone know what are the most common ingredients in them as i would like to make my own. there is a lot of question in this i know any answers would be greatly appericated!
As you say, its all about softening the beard and adding glide to the shave. You just rub a drop or two into your beard before you lather up.
Good ones are the Castle Forbes line, all they stuff is ace!
If you want to try some yourself you can actually just use a little olive oil. I'm not sure exactly what goes into it, but you'll need some essential oils for scent plus the oil itself.
Good luck!
thanks for the info, i will check them out.(castle forbes)
I use the Art of Shaving Sandalwood oil. No complaints. One good tip, though, is "less is more." You don't want an oil-slick on your face. About a dime or nickle size amount in the palm of your hand will do ya right.
I've not tried th CF brand, so I can't say, but every other PSO I have tried was better left on the shelf. However, Proraso's preshave was pretty darn nice. Not an oil though.
thanks for the inut rickbone any opinion on any subject is worth hearing. and it will be a learning exp. trying different things.
you can make your own use castor oil:olive oil 1:1 or 2:1 add some essential oil from your local natural foods store.
thanks, with the essential oils what oils are used or any essential will work? I will assume(i know one should never assume like they say "you may assume it's a fart and s#$t your pants") some are better than others and some have no benifet and some may hurt the job the oil is doing? what would be some of the oils to use and what would be the oils to try and use? thanks again
Hello, Mr. Fynnpete:
I use a pre-shave product for two reasons: to help the stubble stand a bit taller and be nimble; also, to give additional cushion against the sharp blade.
Pre-shave products abound. From those that I have tried, I like Truefitt & Hill's pre-shave oil as well as the pre-shave produced by Castle Forbes. I also have tried Proraso, and liked it. Some pre-shave oils, however, feel too greasy on the skin. They also cause some slippage when holding the razor. I recommend keeping away from them.
On the other hand, your type of beard and lathering method might do well without pre-shave preparation. Try your shave both ways and see which works better for you. There is no written rule dictating pre-shave usage. Experiment. The more you enjoy your shave, the happier your spirit as you start your day.
Regards,
Obie
the verdict is just try and find out if they work or not! thanks for your opinion. gonna have some fun trying which works better
Question: wouldn't the pre-applied pre-shave oil be emulsified by the brush application of lather and mixed into the lather blend on one's face? If so, would the same effect be realized with simply mixing the pre- shave oil into the lather in one's bowl, mug, or scuttle before applying the blend to one's face?
:confused:
I use Castile Soap in lieu of traditional pre shave oils. Most of those sold have the essential Organic oils in it. It is sold in most grocery stores and is priced to be very cost effective on a per oz. basis.
Additionally, it can be used as a wash soap. I have also used it to wash my hiking shirts in sinks when I was hiking around Europe. It is versitle in its applications.
Pre shave oils softens the skin and hairs and helps with getting a better shave.
Pabster
Yup, as I understand it to be a Castile soap it must be made from olive oil - one of the suggested oils here to be used as a pre-shave unguent.
:beer2:
I use and sell Truefitt & Hills pso. I never realized the importance and the effectiveness of it until i stopped using it one time. Now I use it with every shave.
Plus it adds to the softness of my skin after the shave, which my wife's legs like.
lowcounrtybarber, like the way you think! really gonna have to try them now!
Anybody used Proraso pre-shave cream? I've been taking some of it and putting it on my face like shave cream and letting it sit for a few min and then put a hot towel on my face for a few min. Is that how its supposed to be used?
At $12 a container + shipping its not bad, but would it be better to go with a pre-shave oil?
Hello, Salazch,
I have used the Proraso. It's good stuff. What I usually did was to apply it, let it sit on my face while I loaded my brush with soap or cream, about two minutes or so, and then build lather directly onto my face. It worked quite well for me. I have also used some soils and gels. Now I don't use any pre-shave products.
Regards,
Obie
Castile soap, eh? I'll have to try a few drops of Dr. Bronner's in my lather! I use that stuff anyway. (Very good soap)
A far as oils go, I've quit using them since I started on the Lucky Tiger stuff--there's just enough residual left after the shower to be emulsify-able. Oil afterwards tends to over gild the lilly for me--the razor slips & slides. One or the other & the Lucky Tiger seems to work the best for me.
Whenever I've used pre-shave oil I have never gotten as close a shave as without.
It's been awhile I'll give it another try next shave...
See also this thread:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ve-oils-4.html
Discussion of brands, plus my pseudo-scientific track on burn/bumps (not closeness!) for straight- and cartridge- shaves with and without homemade oil, and a price breakdown of making your own oil.
I can second both these statements. I never had ANY intention whatsoever of using PSO. I ordered the T&H sampler pack, which included a little packet of their PSO. I figured I had already paid for it, so I might as well try it out. Man oh man was I impressed; I really liked the results I got from it. So you never know, but just try things out and see what works best for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Brent
AOS oil is mostly castor oil. I used to buy their oil and now I make my own using about 90% castor oil and the rest is mineral oil. It works great. I've learned that when I use a pre shave oil, my shave is much more comfortable than without the oil.
I stopped using PSO, but found Nancy Boy to be very good
Hello, everyone:
Jimmyfingers mentions Nancy Boy. I have never used it, but the shave cream has an excellent reputation. I had forgotten about Nancy Boy, but I think I will put it on my list for the next purchase. Thanks, Jimmyfingers, for the reminder.
Regards,
Obie
I`ve just bought this stuff. Natural Grooming 50ml Shave Oil originally i bought it so i could mix my own oil in the bottle, but its actually really really good......
I have tried several pre shave oils. This one I have found really kills the lather and gums up my brush.
Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries
Crom
I've used two pre-shave products: an oil from The Gentleman's Refinery, and straight jojoba oil. I can't feel much difference between the two, so I stopped buying the TGR pre-shave, as it's much more expensive than jojoba oil.
I bought both in an effort to cut down on irritation and ingrown hairs. So far, I can't say that either product has had a really significant effect on these issues. Both seem to make my shaves a bit -- and I stress, just a bit -- smoother, but have done nothing to help with ingrowns. If you do decide to use a pre-shave oil, please remember to remove every last bit from your hands before picking up your razor. I almost had a very ugly incident involving oily hands and the slippery scales on a Wapi. Then again, I'm a bit of a klutz.
I've been using Silkia pure Camellia Oil. It works a lot better than Olive Oil for me. I can't see myself buying the expensive pre-shave oils.
Camellia Oil is a lot cheaper and it really did make a difference for my shaves.
I found this "creation" video for Pre-Shave Olive Oil. Thought I would share with the masses: YouTube - Pre shaveOilQuote:
Originally Posted by FYNNPETE
I've never heard that one before....?
As with all statements of this type, the first question is: "Told by whom?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjybhoy
I made some last night that works pretty well but that is coming from someone that is new to straight shaving and has not tried any other PSOs. I used the method mentioned on the first page of this thread 2:1 castor oil/olive oil. I also put in some glycerin and used a lime/tangerine EO that I had... and some vitamin E oil. I put it all in an old medicine bottle and shook it up.
Just a little in the palm and massage onto the face after a hot shower with a natural facial scrub.
This is a great forum for those of us who love preshave oil.. When I started with a straight 6 mos ago my wife had bought me a 24.00 AOS travel kit with Shave Creame / Balm / Shave Oil and a small brush. (best value AOS offers) I ran out and bought their full size kit. I have been shaving with preshave oil from the begining. I have tried to shave without it, however the shaves are much less comfortable for me.
I have had the opportunity to try several different preshave oils now. My favorite three of those I have tried include Art of Shaving, The Body Shop preshave oil and Origins Easy Glyde. The oil that thus far has been the most effective for my beard is "Origins" easy glide, a mix of essential plant oils. It advertises "friction free shaving" and I swear it's pretty close. I am anxious to try some Castle Forbes which seems to be mark that everyone else strives for. If Castle Forbes is better than Origins...then I have to have some cause I think Origins Easy Glyde is great!
I have reviewed all three of these products in the review section of SRP for Preshave Oils and Creams. I invite you all to add comments or your own reviews of preshave oils you have experienced! Very informative forum. thankyou.
For those of you new to shaving or this part of straight razor shaving, don't under estimate the value of beard preparation before attacking your face with a sharp or semi-sharp straight razor. The oil helps soften the beard and actually straightens the hairs as they swell. It also allows the blade to glyde over the skin much easier than without it. If you haven't tried it, you should and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Have a great day.
Thanks for everyones comments.. I'm anxious to try the recipies I have read about on the forum..
Maq
On the cheap I just use some olive oil with lemon peel infused, I have a light beard though, I also don't like the smell of chemicals. It definitely helps the blade glide smells great too.
I use Proraso Pre/Post shave as a pre shave. I don't use it for the extra glide of the razor, but to moisturize my skin. Normally my skin is very dry after a shave no matter what soap or cream I use, but with Proraso as pre shave I don't have this problem anymore.
It's a great product; I use the white version for sensitive skin. I mostly use it post-shave after the alum.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnDee
In my pre-DE and str8 razor days I used pre-shave oil. It did help prep my face before the shave. Remember, though, it doesn't take a lot to do so. A little goes a long way.
Since converting to DE razors and then str8 razors, I have moved away from using pre-shave oil and used Proraso re-post shave cream and most recently Lucky Tiger brushless shave cream to prep my face afyer my shower and before shaving.