Pre Shave Is It Necessary ?

I do use it sometimes - I’d say 60% of my shaves I’ll use some form of preshave. Usually right before I start building the lather, I’ll use proraso green. Do I find it helpful with shave - not per se, not enough of a difference that I’ll notice, but it seems like it helps some soaps explode with more lather (again - seems , since there can always be some minor differences in other variants).
Now with the preshave oil - I tend to use it an hour or so before the shave , to let the skin absorb as much moisture as possible and be well hydrated prior to the shave. Apply oil directly pre shave - makes no difference to me - I’d even dare to say makes it annoying since hair tends to stick to razor then lol ! Another option is to add few drops of preshave oil to soap once lathered up and give it a few swirls . On less slick soaps, that can elevate them to crazy level of slickness !
 
The only thing I do "pre-shave" is show up in front of the mirror.
ichabod crane mirror GIF
 
I keep a bottle of the Proraso Menthol pre-shave, but only use it occasionally.

Really, its just a case of doing whatever is necessary to "Soften that Stubble" - shower first, hot towel, moisturiser if you like, whatever works.

I find the most effective thing (for me) that really makes a noticeable difference to the quality of shave, is to soak a hand towel in some hot water and then hold it carefully spread out over my face and neck for 30secs to a minute. I always pack a hand towel or two when traveling, in case the hotel doesn't supply one, but i really do find this seem to make for a better shave.

Dedicated pre-shave products ? the jury is out for me, although as said above i do like the menthol Proraso but couldn't say that it definitely makes a huge difference to quality of shave tbh
 
This is uncanny, I nearly started this thread myself yesterday. I've been wet shaving for I dunno, nearly 40 years with carts and goop in a tin, mostly low- foam gel like King of Shaves. Only been shaving with straight razors a few weeks. I've tried various things, like hot bath before shave, hot towel, shave oil, moisturising cream, liquid soaps etc. I also have a tub of Proraso green menthol pre. I honestly don't think it does much apart from give you a bracing menthol kick before you start. It certainly doesn't appear to add much lubrication.

I've come (so far) to the conclusion that the best for me is to use moisturising cream the night before, then in the morning a hot towel rather than long bath, wash face with glycerin soap (Pears transparent) or the liquid "Simple" moisturising face wash, then whichever cream or soap I fancy, and put on a rich moisturising cream or AS balm after. I do mean balm rather than ASL or EdT. Those for me are more about the scent than the skin. The green Proraso is nice but non essential and I mostly only use it on the days I'm using the Proraso cream too, just cos they kind of 'go together' (although my cream is the red sandalwood one).

In short, moisturise the night before, wash face nicely and you can dive straight in unless you just fancy using preshave. Definitely optional for me.
 
I like using the proraso pre shave and have tried the green and white versions, I think it seems to help a bit but I am not convinced.

I guess part of the fun is trying different things to give variety to shaving.
 
I don't think it's necessary to be honest. Which isn't to say don't use one (I like the menthol based pre-shaves and use one quite a lot). I don't like the oils and only ever use those whilst in hotel rooms and using a cartridge razor. At the moment I am flitting between The Gentleman's Groom Room Shave Prep Plus and RasoZero Spiffero Pre-Shave, but not for performance but for feel.
 
I'm new to DE shaving and have sensitive skin so was desperate for any help I could get. Bought some preshave oil and it's main impact seems to be murdering lather. When I use it I always need to load the brush more times than without, so end up using twice as much shaving soap.

I have to use so little on my face for it not be a negative that's its not really worth bothering with. The only use that might be making a positive impact is when I head shave but that's been negligible. I'll use what I have on my head, until its gone then probably not bother in the future.

Right im going to choke down a large slice of humble pie now. But after reading this thread and slagging the stuff off I gave my pre shave oil another go on my face. This time using a new technique to get even less out of the bottle.

Anyway, now I feel its adding something. The shave isn't any closer but does feel a bit more smoother with a little less friction. I even added some more after my first pass for my second.

I do have to concentrate on getting a real thick bulletproof lather to make sure there is as little impact as possible. Plus the amount I use now is sooo small (I understand why some of them come with a pipette)
 
Right im going to choke down a large slice of humble pie now. But after reading this thread and slagging the stuff off I gave my pre shave oil another go on my face. This time using a new technique to get even less out of the bottle.

Anyway, now I feel its adding something. The shave isn't any closer but does feel a bit more smoother with a little less friction. I even added some more after my first pass for my second.

I do have to concentrate on getting a real thick bulletproof lather to make sure there is as little impact as possible. Plus the amount I use now is sooo small (I understand why some of them come with a pipette)
Our of curiosity what soap were you using ?
and is the soap at the right consistency
i.e are you using enough water ?
i think your the first person to say you think it’s makes a difference and that’s good but i’m just questioning whether your getting enough residual slickness from your soap ?
 
Our of curiosity what soap were you using ?
and is the soap at the right consistency
i.e are you using enough water ?
i think your the first person to say you think it’s makes a difference and that’s good but i’m just questioning whether your getting enough residual slickness from your soap ?
I'm using OSP which seems to be very nice and I use a Giles bowl. My lather game has been getting a lot better recently, after loading the brush for longer and stopping more often to add more water. Shaving without the oil is still great. It just feels when I add the oil at the correct amount there is that extra "barrier".

Although this morning it didn't help when I woke up so late there was no time for oil or bowl. Just "get that soap on my face now!"
 
Wash your face with soap and water. Done.

Even in the days before I could afford canned goo to go with my big pack of disposables for a quid and used whatever bar soap was lying around the bathroom, I still used it to wash my face first. Coming to boutique traditional shaving, like the rest of you, I found all these pre-shave things. Of all the oils and lotions, I do still think the lightly mentholated lotions from the likes of Prep, 3P, Proraso and so on are nice on a hot day ... but I like to apply to a washed, wet face and then rinse off leaving just the residual cooling sensation.

I've tried a good number of scientifically engineered face washes - you know, Neutrogena, L'Oreal Men Expert, Bulldog, etc. I keep coming back to simple bar soap. Done.
 
Wash your face with soap and water. Done.

Even in the days before I could afford canned goo to go with my big pack of disposables for a quid and used whatever bar soap was lying around the bathroom, I still used it to wash my face first. Coming to boutique traditional shaving, like the rest of you, I found all these pre-shave things. Of all the oils and lotions, I do still think the lightly mentholated lotions from the likes of Prep, 3P, Proraso and so on are nice on a hot day ... but I like to apply to a washed, wet face and then rinse off leaving just the residual cooling sensation.

I've tried a good number of scientifically engineered face washes - you know, Neutrogena, L'Oreal Men Expert, Bulldog, etc. I keep coming back to simple bar soap. Done.
Bet yer grandpappy didn't worry about such things. ;)
 
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