Thread: Castle Forbes Preshave: your thoughts?

I've probably used them all, and they're all good.

Bottom Line, Castle Forbes is pricey, but it lasts a long time. I do notice a difference when I use them and when I don't.
CF was the first one I ever used, and I'd buy it again...It's not an oil like the others, that makes it unique as far as I know...

Rich

I hate this stuff so far.

I have about seven shaves under my belt.

The WORST two were the ones in which I used "The Pre-Shave."

Glad I only bought the little travel size to try it out!


~ Ryan

Originally Posted by KingOfBreifne

I hate this stuff so far.

I have about seven shaves under my belt.

The WORST two were the ones in which I used "The Pre-Shave."

Ah, nothing like the firm beliefs of a neophyte... Well, apparently CF's "The Pre Shave" is a product made by professionals for professionals, as documented by the fact that beginners like yourself hate it, and experienced members quite like it.

As an aside, and as an objective observation on my behalf, with about a handful of shaves "under my belt", I was too bloody concerned getting the blade angle right to have noticed anything but the razor, and maybe the lather. Or, more to the point, how would you know that the problems you apparently have are caused by the pre shave and not your lack of technique. Because, as our FAQ rather unambiguously states, the learning curve usually lasts months rather than years.

Regards,
Robin

I picked up the travel size available at SRD, based almost exclusively on Robin's reviews. The travel size is quite affordable and while it's a small quantity, I use so little for a shave that the price is justifiable for me.

I've had good results with it so far after a few shaves. The question for me is still whether it's noticeable from jojoba, which I have been using as my preshave and is available locally. The CF stuff does have a peculiar scent, but it's faint and has been overpowered by every lather I've used thus far. It's water soluble and does not leave any oily feeling on skin or whiskers.

I have no complaints with the purchase and think it's a good preshave.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Ah, nothing like the firm beliefs of a neophyte... Well, apparently CF's "The Pre Shave" is a product made by professionals for professionals, as documented by the fact that beginners like yourself hate it, and experienced members quite like it.

As an aside, and as an objective observation on my behalf, with about a handful of shaves "under my belt", I was too bloody concerned getting the blade angle right to have noticed anything but the razor, and maybe the lather. Or, more to the point, how would you know that the problems you apparently have are caused by the pre shave and not your lack of technique. Because, as our FAQ rather unambiguously states, the learning curve usually lasts months rather than years.

Regards,
Robin

Wow, Robin...I must have missed the part where I said I was a straight razor shaving dynamo-phenom-expert.

I seem to remember admitting I'm a rookie. Not sure why the "neophyte" stuff was deemed necessary.

I clearly stated my own limited experience with the stuff. Two shaves with it, five without, and the two with it were terrible. The other five went very well.

Seems clear and simple enough.

Regards,
Ryan

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Ah, nothing like the firm beliefs of a neophyte... Well, apparently CF's "The Pre Shave" is a product made by professionals for professionals, as documented by the fact that beginners like yourself hate it, and experienced members quite like it.

As an aside, and as an objective observation on my behalf, with about a handful of shaves "under my belt", I was too bloody concerned getting the blade angle right to have noticed anything but the razor, and maybe the lather. Or, more to the point, how would you know that the problems you apparently have are caused by the pre shave and not your lack of technique. Because, as our FAQ rather unambiguously states, the learning curve usually lasts months rather than years.

Regards,
Robin

Yeah, I don't think it breaks down quite like that. I don't have the experience of many here, but neither am I a neophyte, and I've used a variety of preshave products, including AOS, Shave Secret (I know, but some do use it as a preshave, along with lather), and a variety of widely-used non-commercial oils, like those I listed. I would recommend any of those before the C-F product, regardless of price. A little discoloration of silver tips doesn't bother me, and I don't have issues with the oils interfering with skin stretching. If I did, then maybe I would use it.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Ah, nothing like the firm beliefs of a neophyte... Well, apparently CF's "The Pre Shave" is a product made by professionals for professionals, as documented by the fact that beginners like yourself hate it, and experienced members quite like it.

As an aside, and as an objective observation on my behalf, with about a handful of shaves "under my belt", I was too bloody concerned getting the blade angle right to have noticed anything but the razor, and maybe the lather. Or, more to the point, how would you know that the problems you apparently have are caused by the pre shave and not your lack of technique. Because, as our FAQ rather unambiguously states, the learning curve usually lasts months rather than years.

Regards,
Robin

Wow dude, I totally understand, and respect, the wisdom behind pointing out that KingofBreifne's input/observations were based on very limited experience...

...but did you have to hack off his balls with a butter knife to do it? The guy was just trying to be helpful and contribute to the community as best he could as a newcomer -- he did clearly state he has "seven shaves under his belt" - leaving the OP to take his feedback with whatever grain of salt the OP deemed necessary...

I just hope KingofBreifne and other newcomers reading this thread take the stinging response you left with a grain of salt as well -- realizing sometimes people have a bad day or something that causes them to vent or responsed a bit aggressively and out of character... that newcomers and their opinions are welcome here... and they all won't be smacked down like inferior, infantile beings if they attempt to contribute.

(Or, if we don't trust OP's to take a quick glance at a poster's Join Date / Post Count before acting on their input or advice, maybe the Mods should just institute a rule disallowing posts until you've been a member for at least 6 months...)

Thanks for the support, John...much appreciated.

One can run into guys like Robin on pretty much any internet bulletin board out there. No patience and respect for anyone that hasn't been driving this car as long as they have, shooting this weapon as long as they have, using this camera as long as they have, shaving with a straight razor as long as they have, etc., etc., etc.

The almighty JOIN DATE and POST COUNT is all that matters.

I bow in reverence to your post count.



Seriously...I didn't come here trying to make anyone mad or gain another enemy. Not sure what it was I said that could make anyone mad. Not even sure the nice folks at Castle Forbes would have been angry with my opinion on their product.

Eh...what can you do?



~ Ryan

Robin has a TON of experience and wisdom under his belt and I respect a lot of what he has said in many of his posts, even those I haven't fully agreed with. In this instance though, it just really caught me by surprise that he responded in such an intensely sharp (and IMHO, uncalled for) manner to your post...

Toressurect this thread (), I got the travel size along w/ my long bridle strop & some soap.

Shave today was excellent, but that was just as likely the result of stropping on bridle after touching the razor up on my new Les Latneuses coticule. I haven't had a chance to test with/without yet.

Overall, I think it's good stuff (not an oil, which is a huge plus), but I still can't be sure how much of it is the (expensive) preshave & how much is a good honing/stropping job & the rest of the prep.