Thread: Best Shave Preperation ?

Originally Posted by Don164

I've recently jumped onto the Straight Razor Shaving band wagon, whilst i've picked the Razor I intend to buy, my mind is in a 1000 pieces as to what preperation I should use ?

1) Shave Cream
2) Shave Stick
3) Shave Oil
4) Shave Foam
5) Shave Gel
6) Shave Soap

HELP ! Which is best to shave using a Shavette
Thanks

The only shave prep is a shower. Then lather up and shave. I think its important to simplify things.

My method is I wash the heck out of my face in the shower. No kidding, I'll wash my face for about 5 minutes. My theory is oil and dirt impede the shave. Also, massaging the facial muscles I think is key. That's my prep. side note-I personally disagree with the hot water bit. Cold water is my standard.

I started out with a shavette and based on my personal experience, I had good success with the shave soap. But YMMV, so you'll need to experiment with what works the best with you.
I did have a rough time with the shavette and I almost gave up SR shaving all together until I found this site and later got my first straight razor. I do not use anything out of a can. I use shave cream out of a tube or tub.

It's your wallet and shave, you may want to check out the classifieds here and pick up a razor at a nice price that is shave ready instead of getting a shavette. I wish I did when first starting out.

Originally Posted by Don164

I've recently jumped onto the Straight Razor Shaving band wagon, whilst i've picked the Razor I intend to buy, my mind is in a 1000 pieces as to what preperation I should use ?

1) Shave Cream
2) Shave Stick
3) Shave Oil
4) Shave Foam
5) Shave Gel
6) Shave Soap

HELP ! Which is best to shave using a Shavette
Thanks

Pre shave… When don’t have or want to shower….
Put 2-3 wet towels/wash cloth in microwave for about 2 minutes.
Apply Pre shave oil let sit on face.. prepare lather..

Brace face for HOT TOWEL!! Try to take it as hot and long as you can….
Lather face.. I like to twist the brush while applying them tease (Slapping face with the brush) to make a thick lather on my face.
Optional step… wipe off lather, apply lather again and hot towel….
Shave…
Warm towel to wipe off face of remaining lather..
Lather … I usually shave xtg
COLD TOWEL!! Usually put this in the freezer at the beginning.. this is a great step to help close little nicks or cuts.
Witch hazel
I have a synthetic shave brush I use to apply shave power… make face nice and dry..
Aftershave balm or splash…

I was just going to write the pre shave steps, but it turns out this is pretty much how I shave all the time.
If you use a shavette or cartridge shave, I would suggest to either Derby or Shark blades. I have used them on myself and in a few barber shops and I feel they are made better and the corners are as square.

Hope this hopes.

Since I've started wet shaving, I shave after a hot shower. I usually make my lather first and brush it on my face in a circular motion and let it sit for a few minutes. I then strop my razor and do a few other bathroom duties letting the lather sit for a few minutes. I reapply some lather if needed then shave. Simple but works great.

This is my personal schema:
- enough time
- hot shower (+face wash-cleanser)
- hot towel 1 minute
- proraso pre/post
- proraso aloe vera shave soap

This setup allows me to shave every day despite the fact that I have sensitive skin.

Originally Posted by magdalion

This is my personal schema:
- enough time
- hot shower (+face wash-cleanser)
- hot towel 1 minute
- proraso pre/post
- proraso aloe vera shave soap

This setup allows me to shave every day despite the fact that I have sensitive skin.

I like it! I am testing various methods/techniques but so far my favorite is the prorazo shave soap... could be a preference to soap vs cream but so far I like it best. I also use a little prorazo pre-shave cream, the hot towel and all that and find it works great! I am currently only WTG shaving while I work up the nerve to go ATG XTG but so far same thing I can shave daily without irritation on this setup.

Here is the technique I use and it works for me. After I shower, I apply Glycerin to my beard and let it soak for a minute or two. Next, I apply hair conditioner to my beard. It lathers up a bit. I strop my razor while it soaks in. Just before I lather I apply some Joshua Tree Healing Salve. A very light coat and I rub it into my beard down to the skin. This is a beeswax based healing salve that I found for my skin. I then lather and do my shave passes. I have a steel wire beard and I find that the beard softens and allows for a very close shave with little irritation. After I finish I apply a coat of the Joshua Tree Salve to help sooth and heal the skin then apply my after shave balm.

FYI I am NOT affiliated in anyway to Joshua Tree - I am just sharing my success. Here is the link if interested - Joshua Tree Products. I purchase mine at the out store in the climbing section.

I do say it has taken a while to find a great pre-shave process for me. This works for me.

Beard hairs are very much like pasta when dry - very stiff and hard. Just like pasta the dry keratin composed whiskers will soften best in hot water. Time and temperature are important factors. You should also wash the face first with soap and water. That is why so many experienced wet shavers shave after a hot, steaming shower. Many use hair conditioner as a final beard softener. There are pre-shave chemicals and compounds that will soften the whiskers, but they are not necessary. Some of the old barbers would put a high stearic acid shave cream, like Barbasol, on a clients face then cover it with a hot, wet, steaming towel for 5-10 minutes. When your whiskers feel soft and forgiving when rubbed against the grain then you are ready to shave.