Thread: Shaving Oil - do you or don't you?

I've been using the T&H pre - shave oil since starting straight razor shaving last year. It occured to me this morning that it may be of no help whatsoever and the fact that I get a decent result after two passes is down to technique and improved stropping, honing etc. So, I decided to give it a miss - with the result that I had the worst shave for many months with lots of small nicks not experienced since the early days. All this with probably my best razor.

I don't say that this is conclusive evidence, but I'm going back to the tried and tested routine.

Does anyone else have an opinion on shave oils and/or what types and makes?

I have used them and dont find them benneficial to me at all. I can get a much better shave without. I will sometimes use it as a preshave though.

No oil here, but I do leave some conditioner on the whiskers for the first pass. And even my face of steel notices if I dont do it. For me it just dont seem to cut as well.

I've tried pre shave oil, hair conditioner, hot shower and hot towels. I have found that the only prep I really need is a couple of minutes working the lather on my face.

No, I don't use it. But it could be you've grown used to the pre oil and adapt your technique after it... or it's a good thing for you to use it

I tried quite a few different things, hot towels, massaging in the lather, cold shaves, hot shaves, olive oil, AOS pre shave oil, hair conditioner, and finally found Proraso pre-post creme. I love this stuff and had some of the same thoughts you did aka, that my technique had improved blah, blah, blah...well, I just ordered a 2 pack of the pre-post creme so I will NEVER run out again. For me this stuff is awesome...But you need to find what works for you, Have Fun, Experiment!

I'm with Easyace. I tried a few things when I stared using a straight, including a preshave oil, once. Yuk! Now, I only use water, a brush, and shaving cream. Great shaves, every time. Of course, everyone has different variables when it comes to shaving, from beard type, face texture, water hardness, skill, and simple personal preference, to name just few. So, do what works for you, and keep experimenting.

I've gone back and forth between using my T&H and/or AoS Lemon pre-shave oil, and I find I get better shaves using oil than without. Sometimes the oil gums up later on the blade, but that is the only downside I've seen to its use. As always, it's a YMMV thing.

i have used oil in the past, pretty much gave it up. But I now make sure my face is completely wet before brushing the cream on. Sometimes a drop or 2 of glycerin in the cream. I'm sure I read the wet face tip on this site, probably from gssixgun. works for me.

'But won't that mess with the perfect consistency of the cream you have just so carefully crafted', one might ponder. Nope, doesn't work that way for me anyhow. So there you have it...

Nope. Mr.glo and Proraso green tea/aloe pre-post shave is my routine...cleaning oily shavings out of the sink is for the birds.