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This morning I skipped the oil as I've been having problems face lathering with SRD EO soap and lo and behold I had the best shave so far. So if I get rid of the oil is there some other pre shave that will make the experience even more enjoyable?
I used to be a fan of the oil, now I'm not so sure.
In all honesty, I cannot give informed advice on pre-shave oil as I have never used it. Although I suppose I could say that as a man who has never used pre-shave oil I've never felt its want.
In any event the best thing pre shave is beard prep really. I hear lots of people get lots of enjoyment from hot towels, for example, or showering before the shave. If you search around the site you'll come across lots of pre-shave rituals and suggestions and I'd suggest you try a few to see which ones you like and which you don't.
Me, I'm a horrible pre-shave prepper. A splash of warm water on the face and then the lathering itself is all I do really. Although I suppose making lather on the face is kind of like a massage - just with a brush. It works for me in any event, but as with everything YM may and probably will V.
James.
I have tried various pre shave creams and found they added nothing to my shaves. I wound up doing the same as James only using cold water instead of warm water.
Bob
I gave all my pre-shave oils away. My prep, including a warm water splash and face lathering, takes about 20 seconds. It seems to work fine.
I tried the pre-shave oils the first month, hated them, too oily for my skin, no noticed difference in the shave result.
I did go to this cream, Udderly Smooth, I like it, low scent, not greasy, washes off easily & most of all, it does soften my whiskers. I have used it every shave since.
Low cost & a tub lasts me over 6 months.
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Thankfully I only bought a small shave oil to try as a preshave, used it under half a dozen times, it then resided in one of the common laundries where I stay for work with a large cardboard sign that said "free".
I didn't really get on with it, soaps break oils down, which in turn breaks down the soap.
I use glycerol, don't know if it actually does anything, but it doesn't undo anything for sure.
I want to bin this step eventually but until I get better at angles and such I will keep it.
it's all about shaving technique. you can use the most expensive pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and after-shave, but if your technique is bad then the shave will be bad. don't get me wrong, i enjoy shaving with truefitt & hill, castle forbes, and xpec, but it wasn't until i went to walgreens, a few years ago, and picked up a $2 puck of van der hagen and really practiced on my straight razor technique that my shaves got better.
You know, I think there is more than just a bit of truth to that. I knew I was getting there when I could get a decent shave with no prep and crappy Williams.Quote:
Originally Posted by kettlebell
Bob
Did I miss something in the Wiki, is there a thread that speaks to angles on different parts of the face? A body can watch vids all day and it's hard to pick up on those little things and those doing the vids go rather quickly as they've been doing it for awhile.
Yea, it is in the library Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki . Scroll down a bit and you will see the different angles for the different passes.
Bob
I was a big fan of oils and still use them, but I am starting to think that I may put them away until winter when my skin is a bit drier.
Just a newbie here, but since I've been trying some different things (than I'm used to), I am enjoying the AOS pre-shave oil. I found it a bit much at first, oily and sticky, but I am starting to rub a little bit into my coarse whiskers before my shower. I really don't know if that is doing good or harm, but after the shower it preserves a bit of moisture on my face. I do live in Denver, so it's usually always dry. Since I got sucked into buying it, I might as well use it. Will I buy it again after I run out? Probably not.
How much of this do you use?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
I've used oils and water based preshaves. But it didn't bring anything to the shave. The oil made my hands slippery which is one reason I stopped using it. And then I realized I wasn't missing anything so 3 water splashes on the face and lather up. Works great for me. YMMV.
Just enough to cover your udder. :angel:. Sorry couldn't resist. Tried that at one time too.Quote:
Originally Posted by RVShave
Bob
A little goes a long ways, spreads easily, use my finger tips, a jar lasts 9 or 10 months.Quote:
Originally Posted by RVShave
Sounds like Vegemite!:rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
There you go again , trying to de-rail a thread.:gaah:
You've been hang out with Ed too much. :shrug: :D
you are right , Sorry. Bad ED. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
I have never tried a preshave oil. I have tried udderly smooth on my hands but didn't like it. I dislike such things. They feel gross and weaken your bodies defense of toughening things up. My opinion and understand if you disagree.
I tried oils early on in my adventures but concluded that they were nothing more than another product to sell you at an elevated price. If they seem to help, go for it. But it would seem that if logic follows, wet shaving is about the water right? Coating your skin with oil will repel any water from reaching it. I can't see how that would help. You're hoping the beard absorbs water and hydrates so that it is more easily cut. Oil may make your face somewhat slick but it removes water from the mix. I've never used the products but the most fanatic enthusiast of the water element is the founder of Hydrolast. Too much mixing and blending for my interest but his basic theory on it seems to make sense to me. OTOH if chalk works for someone, I say use it.
