SMF

Any recommendations please? Thanks!

Van Yulay

I don't find it serves any purpose.

Thanks to those who responded.

I hate to be a cynic but I fear its a way for vendors to make an extra chunk of change off newbs. Read these forums and count the numbers of recs they get from people not selling them. If you must have some; look at the ingredients: it's easily reproducible in any supermarket.

I find it adds no value. Good old soap and warm water is the best pre-shave prep in my book.

Early days, I gave it a try a couple of times and decided it was /is useless.

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply!

I have never used a pre shave oil before
However I do have a brand new container
Of VDH pre shave oil that came with the razor
So I will at some point give it a go , I sure hope
It doesn't make a mess of my razor/brush.
I am a big fan of VDH luxury scented soap puck.

I tried the pre-shave oil in the Art of Shaving pre-shave oil - shaving cream - aftershave balm samplers. My shaves were better without the pre-shave oil than with it. If you have an AoS near you, you might want to go by and get a couple of the samplers to see if pre-shave oil works well for you.

If you are simply looking for a pre-shave treatment to improve your shaves, have you considered Musgo Real Glycerin Lime Oil Pre Shave Soap?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QYCXR8

Again, thanks to all.

LouisIII wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:18 pm I hate to be a cynic but I fear its a way for vendors to make an extra chunk of change off newbs. Read these forums and count the numbers of recs they get from people not selling them. If you must have some; look at the ingredients: it's easily reproducible in any supermarket.

They do seem to have a substantial markup.

You get little dropped bottles and fill them with sweet almond oil. Menthol crystals are also cheap.

Preshave oil seems worth it, especially if you are using cheaper soaps, like Williams. I tend to have more comfortable shaves, especially with sharp blades or aggressive razors. And the menthol is invigorating, regardless of what soap or cream I am using.

I have not actually tried any pre-shave products, and I'm not convinced that they have any benefits.
But...
A scientific-ish way to go about it would be to try at least four different pre-shave prep methods:

1. No prep other than a quick soap and water face wash, go straight to lather
2. Hot shower or hot wet towel for a few minutes
3. pre-shave product
4. Hot shower/towel prep AND pre-shave product

I suspect that #2 and #3 might give similar results, and that #3 is for when you are in a hurry.
Number 4 might just be redundant.

John Rose wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2019 2:59 pm I have not actually tried any pre-shave products, and I'm not convinced that they have any benefits.
But...
A scientific-ish way to go about it would be to try at least four different pre-shave prep methods:

1. No prep other than a quick soap and water face wash, go straight to lather
2. Hot shower or hot wet towel for a few minutes
3. pre-shave product
4. Hot shower/towel prep AND pre-shave product

I suspect that #2 and #3 might give similar results, and that #3 is for when you are in a hurry.
Number 4 might just be redundant.

John, for myself everything after #1 is unnecessary. For me I can lather up and get a great shave.

I suspect most men can as well.

Chris

Why not use soap with water instead of oil?

Spammer deleted.

naturalpuerh wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2019 4:18 am Why not use soap with water instead of oil?

Exactly.
I use soap and water to get rid of the natural oils, during my prep shower.

Having tried several pre-shave products unsuccessfully, I read somewhere that shaving lather has exactly the right PH to break down the structure of the hair shaft, making it easier to shave. The advice was to leave lather on the face for a few minutes before shaving. That process has worked well for me. While the lather soaks on my face, I get out the rest of my stuff for the day (clothing, toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.) and change the razor blade if needed. The shaves that followed were much better than before. Give it a try -- it's free!!

drmoss_ca wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:54 am I don't find it serves any purpose.

Back in the day, I tried it. I found that it did not work any better than just using a good cream. Now, I have read that pre-shave oil might be good for head shaving and now that I have gone bald ------