Thread: pre-shave oil

I use different preshave oils. From Dolce&Gabbano to local massage oil. I'm not sure, that it helps in shaving, but it definitely helps with skin. My wife noticed improvements, skin became smoother, color of the skin became better. Girls have good eye on these things.

Since I am actually still waiting for my first razor to arrive, I'm still shaving with my safety razor (you know, the Gilette Fusion).
But in preparation for the first SR shave (and of course the 1000th as well) I'm trying to get a good face preparation and lathering technique going, albeit with with a safety razor and canned shave gel.

Last time I tried the extra virgin olive oil (the cheap cooking kind, since we had it lying around), rubbed it warm, applied and let it set for a bit. Applying a light stroke and two passes, I got surprisingly close to BBS with one nick on the left jaw, and I think (having a tough, dry skin and idem facial hair) the oil definately made an impact, even if just for moisturizing.

Just a little tip I have been trying out and seems to be working. If you have a problem with razor burn from the multi passes on parts of you face, for me it around my mouth. If you use the shave oil on the second pass instead of the first it helps out tremendously.

Originally Posted by swimlikehell

Just a little tip I have been trying out and seems to be working. If you have a problem with razor burn from the multi passes on parts of you face, for me it around my mouth. If you use the shave oil on the second pass instead of the first it helps out tremendously.

You may not believe me, but my first razor - a brand new Dovo honed by Lynn - combined with my poor newbie technique gave me razor burn pretty consistently. It wasn't until I bought a used razor from another member here that I found out that the edge of a razor can be either harsh or smooth. I find that I will take a smooth cutting razor over a sharper seeming harsh razor every day.

How and what the razor is honed with makes all the difference in getting a smooth edge that has a noted preference for cutting hairs versus cutting skin.

Found some "Sweet Oil" at the pharmacy the other day. Says it is an olive oil emulsion. I have used it and it seems to work reasonably well.

+1 for Shave Secret. Walmart has it for under $4. I notice when I forget to use it.

Originally Posted by natchez

If you want a good pre-shave oil for little $$$- Shave Secret seems to make things go a bit smoother.

Thanks to your recommendation I tried the Shave Secret. It really helped me out. I'm so new to straight razor shaving and this helped save my face. I used the directed 3 to 5 drops and then used my brush and shave soap. The razor glided over my face and I produced a pretty nice shave! Thanks for this recommendation!

When I bought my Dovo Black Micarta from SRD, I also got a bottle of Pacific Shaving Oil. I loved the smooth feeling it gave and its great scent. It was only 25% as expensive as T&H shaving oil. When I ran out of PSO, I bought two bottles of Shave Secret at the local CVS; one basic and the other menthol. I used them as a pre-shave under my shaving cream.

I have experienced two major problems with Shave Secret:
1. SS clogs up the pores of my face no matter how much I rinse. Obviously, this is not true for everyone since so many good testimonials are given on SRP for SS.
2. I just don't care for the scent of either of the two bottles of SS that I have. I feel like I am putting motor oil on my face. In comparison, the scent of the Pacific oil was light and delicate.

I am sure SS works great for others and I would not hesitate to recommend trying it. It just didn't work for me.

has anyone tried using JUST oil with no soap...maybe as an experiment?...

Jeff,
I don't think you are being cheap, I think you are being innovative. You created something that is useful, custom-made, and creative. I have the same thought in mind.
Patrick