Thread: Sans oil

I have been using preshave oil for about 2 months now, and was rushed this A.M., as I had to get into the office by 5:00, so I skipped the oil. Much to my surprise I actually got a smother shave without the oil, than with it. And the whiskers did not stick to the blade, like they do when I have the oil on. I think my preshave oil is going to be sidelined as unnecessary.

I have tried the oil but I didn't like using it. It made it harder to grip my skin to pull it taunt. In addition it was gunking up my brush. So up up and away it went.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I have tried the oil but I didn't like using it. It made it harder to grip my skin to pull it taunt. In addition it was gunking up my brush. So up up and away it went.

I ditched it too

It irritated my skin (Caswell-Massey), stuck to the edge, made stretching hard, etc. When I was starting out I thought it would help for a better shave but after several attempts decided to do without for an overall more enjoyable experience

CHeers
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

I ditched it too

+1.

hot towel + decent shave soap brushed on + [strop sixty passes] + another hot towel + another lather = all you need. 2-3 minutes all told, strop & prep.

I haven't tried the stuff. Should I avoid it altogether? Anyone with positive experiences with preshave oil? I have thought about it, but in general I like to keep the whole process as simple as possible: soap, brush, razor, and strop.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I have tried the oil but I didn't like using it. It made it harder to grip my skin to pull it taunt. In addition it was gunking up my brush. So up up and away it went.

This is why I didn't try it. FiReStArT told me that it would crap out my brush and i would have to wash it almost once a month... Instead of his regular 6 month wash.

so never tried the oils...

My theory is that pre-shave oils work well for guys who shave with a cartridge razor, don't stretch their skin and don't do much careful prep. When I used a Mach 3 and shaved every day I used to slather on conditioner before putting on shave foam, and it helped.

But most guys on this forum are using good soap with glycerine and so on, and taking care with their prep, and the shave oil is just pointless and fussy.

The one time I found pure glycerine (the basic ingredient of preshave oil) useful was when I was starting out and still having problems with my chin. If I applied a bit of glycerine just on the trouble spot, leaving the surrounding area oil-free for easy stretching, I could do several passes on the tough spot from different angles without it drying out in the process and leaving me with razor burn. Once I conquered the chin I ditched it.

Originally Posted by dylandog

The one time I found pure glycerine (the basic ingredient of preshave oil) useful was when I was starting out and still having problems with my chin. If I applied a bit of glycerine just on the trouble spot, leaving the surrounding area oil-free for easy stretching, I could do several passes on the tough spot from different angles without it drying out in the process and leaving me with razor burn. Once I conquered the chin I ditched it.

That's pretty much exactly my experience. When starting out it was instrumental in reducing razor burn, but now it adds little to the process. Once I finish the bottle I won't be replacing it.

(However, I do still find Molton Brown's Lemon Leaf Shave Wax great for the third pass instead of lathering up again.)

I use preshave oil regularly as part of my prep (and I think my prep is pretty good).

Been using both the AOS oil (mostly olive oil) and the T&H oil. I prefer the T&H because it is not greasy, not viscous like the AOS oil, and washes clean unlike the AOS. I'm only using the AOS until complete since it costs so much.

Anyway, IMHO, the oil adds a nice glide to the surface of my skin and also helps to protect against nicks with some of the less cushioning soaps. Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it gives be a little extra protection that I like. Yes, there are times where the oil makes my skin too slippery to stretch but I mitigate that as much as I can and it really isn't too much of an issue.

Really, to each his own.

I have some Taylor's Pre-Shave oil, and I don't care for it. I don't like the feel of it and it doesen't seem to work for me.

I love the Proraso Pre-Shave Cream; and when I ran out of it, I tried some Noxema Cleansing Cream my son used when he was in High School. The scent is very similiar to the Proraso, and I think the ingrediants are similiar. Well, I really love this stuff! I love the Noxema scent and it does work on softening my beard. The jar is 14 oz. - and should last me a while.

Regards,

Steve