Thread: Necessary

I don't think it's necessary at all. Is it nice sometimes? Absolutely.

I tend to shave right after a hot shower. No prep, no Pre lather lather, just a couple of splashes of hot tap water and lather up, then shave away . I try to be a minimalist (says the guy with 30 soaps/creams and 20 or so razors).

Everyone's face is different in what it needs. Refined technique does help though.

Depends on what you mean by "pre shave". If you're talking about the oil, then no. If you're talking about a series of things you do before you shave, (like having a shower, or using a hot towel, etc.), then yes. JMHO.

Hot shower is a good and easy pre-shave. Softens the bristles nicely. Softening the bristles helps with smooth shaves.

I'll chime in and say that it can be useful if you have fussy skin. My skin is very sensitive - at times even water can make it turn red - but at the same time the majority of oil-based pre-shaves are too slippery, meaning they won't let you hold the skin tight so that your straight razor can shave it properly.

I can recommend the water-based pre-shave by Castle Forbes, although my personal option would be to get a decent soap that provides adequate glide.

For the past year, all I've done is splash some water on my face, lather then shave. No problems.

Originally Posted by Blomski

Is pre shave necessary? I'm all new to this guys and sorry for the many questions B-)

"What is "necessary"?...a quote from one of my favorite movies The Last Samurai. Only you can answer what is necessary as we all have different preferences and ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU END UP WITH A COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH SHAVE. There are many ways to arrive to a nice and smooth shave & you will need to experiment with different ideas and routines until you find what you prefer.

For me, I shave after I shower unless I am having a "mentee" over, then I use the hot towel method over lather. It sounds like you may have a few shaves down, so feel free to try different things. Some will work for you & some will not, but at least you have tried it.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

I'm not even sure what a pre-shave is. We used to pre-game before a party. Which basically meant we got drunk before we showed up. So if pre-shaving is the same thing, then no, it wouldn't be necessary.

I'm fairly certain that "pre-gaming" before putting a near-surgically-sharp piece of steel next to your throat qualifies as a horrible idea. Just a thought.

I'll have to try this...maybe I've been making things too complicated.

hello Blomski,
necessary? well, it might be if your skin needs the extra glide. you will find that out as you experiment, like i found out through experiment that i don't really need any hot towel/shower prep before lathering. i usually take a cold shower or splash some water on my face before lathering. so as you have probably seen there are tons of different approaches to prep your beard and what's necessary for you, only you can tell

off topic: the thread's title reminded me of a scene from dodgeball.

not really necessary, my normal preshave consists of a splash of hot water then lather. i don't usually even shower before i shave. but sometimes i do go and do an all out prep just because it is nice sometimes.