Williams 'Lectric Shave Preshave [Archive]

jramire2

09-12-2007, 03:53 PM

I've found that I have a couple of areas on my face where the beard hair grows very close to my skin. Not like an ingrown, but the way it grows makes it very difficult for me to shave these little suckers. Preshave oils don't seem to really help, so I was thinking of finding something that might help get these hairs to stand up and away from my skin.

So, I read the back of this stuff and it's supposed to make your hairs stand on end, away from the skin. Just the ticket, and I figured for $4 for the generic version, I might as well try it.

So, I've found that it works ok. Not great but ok. It's basically like an aftershave, but doesn't have glycerin. It's got green tea in it or something, but it seems to dry the skin a bit at first (from the alcohol), then provides an almost greasy feel to the skin. I guess that'd be kind of a "dry" lube for an electric razor, as that's what this razor is supposed to be used with. It has a pleasant scent, and could probably be used as a pretty good aftershave.

Has anyone else thought of trying this? I'm going to keep using it for a week and see how it goes.

_JP_

09-12-2007, 08:08 PM

Part of what that stuff is supposed to do is to allow the electric razor to better glide over the skin, not lube the razor.

Try Proraso Pre Shaving Cream. My impression is that the menthol in it causes the whiskers to stand on end, thus providing a closer shave.

cubiculum

09-12-2007, 10:13 PM

I have to say I'm against using this stuff entirely.

First, this stuff has TONS of alcohol in it so that it can evaporate quickly, drying the skin out for electric shaving (electric shavers generally perform best on dry skin).

When applying it, if you aren't careful, it's easy to feel like you're going to suffocate on the rapidly-evaporating alcohol. Not a pleasant experience.

Then there's the mysterious, nasty oil residue this stuff leaves behind (as a "lubricant" for electric shave heads). It's difficult to get off your face even if you wash it after your shave.

Lastly, this stuff is caustic - I've heard stories of people's electric razors being destroyed from the oils in this stuff removing adhesives and plastics so easily. The label on my bottle of Lectric Shave came right off after a few uses just from the contents of the bottle splashing back on it.

So, I'd steer clear.

ada8356

09-13-2007, 05:37 AM

If it works for you, go for it. I've used it in years past with an electric and thought it worked OK.

I've never thought of trying with a DE and I'm not sure how it will work with your soap/cream.

Thebigspendur

09-13-2007, 09:30 AM

Its just nasty stuff.

jramire2

09-13-2007, 09:54 AM

I was considering using it b/c it's supposed to "lift" hairs away from the skin. And since these little hairs I can't seem to get at is because they're laying so close to my face, I figured this stuff might work.

It works just ok, barely noticeable in fact. The lube or whatever it leaves on your face for an electric razor is pretty greasy if you don't wash it off. So using it as an aftershave is out of the question.

I've bit the bullet and am going to try some of that expensive castle forbes preshave. Maybe that stuff will work.

ada8356

09-13-2007, 10:41 AM

Have you tried shaving across or against the grain on those hairs?

jramire2

09-13-2007, 10:46 AM

Yeah, it's helped a bit.

I'm trying a couple of other things, more patience, a magnified shaving mirror, and a new slim adjustable. I know I have good technique, but I also know that I tend to try to "hurry" in the morning. So I'm approaching these problem hairs w/a little more patience. That along w/a magnified mirror that really helps me hone in on these, and my new slim adjustable I'm starting to see some positive happenings.

I'm usually a 40's SS person, but I just recently got a slim adjustable. I've found that if I shave my traditional 3 passes on a mild adjustment, and then switch to a slightly more aggressive setting for these little hairs, that I get some pretty good results. That's where the patience comes in, b/c if I get in too much of a hurry on an agressive setting I end up overdoing it and get razor burn.

But so far, I'm making progress. :thumbup1: I've also got some CF preshave on its way to me.

Prince

09-13-2007, 11:19 AM

I used this stuff once, and only once. Very nasty. I quickly found a place for it in the trash can.

Theo

09-13-2007, 06:26 PM

I used to use it when I used an electric and one of the things that appealed so much to me about dumping the electric was not using the 'lectric shave. Nasty, nasty stuff. I'd echo cubiculum's comments, +1 on the overcome part, especially in the summer. My beard grows pretty much flat against the skin, I find latheing on the face helps the hairs stand up a little more, or at least they get lather all up and under them so they shave off much easier. It's helped my shave a lot, and it's free.

SalvadorMontenegro

09-14-2007, 09:30 AM

Back in February or March, because of the brittle New York weather, my skin was very dry. Because of this, I decided to take a break from wet shaving and try out a new electric with the idea that it might save me both time and moisturizer.

After a few shaves with my electric, I wasn't getting great results, so I decided to buy some 'Lectric Shave and give it a whirl. Dear God, it was awful.

I'm not that particular about scents. There are few scents that really bother me. I could make a lather out of horse shit and not cringe. Well, at least not from the smell. This stuff, though, is awful. I don't know how to describe it. I felt like I was rubbing one of those car air fresheners on my face. And as bad as it smells when you open the bottle and get a whiff, it smells exponentially worse when it's actually on your skin.

As someone else mentioned, the product dries out your skin, but quickly leaves a very unnatural feeling oil, which is very difficult to remove. It's not a pleasant looking or feeling oil, either. Because I was so repulsed, I ended up having to wash my face multiple times to remove it, which of course left my skin more dry than it would have been had I just shaved with my HD.

Perhaps the worst part is that it really did not make the slightest difference in my shave. In fact, I think my shave may have been worse.

I have not used it or an electric razor since.

As far as using it as a preshave for wet shaving... Uh, I haven't tried it for that purpose, but can't recommend it. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemies. Of course, YMMV.

DecaplegicSquid

09-05-2008, 02:48 PM

I had a bottle of an in-store knock off of lectric shave's green tea pre-shave from when I used my electric shaver (ouch!), and decided to give it a shot. I actually think it worked pretty well as an aftershave - it contains some alcohol to kill the bacteria, and it has a little bit of a moisturizing effect as well.

Eagle

09-05-2008, 03:15 PM

I never could stand electrics so I never really understood the pre-shave Lectric Shave product. What's it supposed to accomplish?

Beakos

09-05-2008, 05:46 PM

It cleans and dries out the whiskers so they stand straight. Then blades can come by and whack their heads off.

Eagle

09-05-2008, 05:54 PM

It cleans and dries out the whiskers so they stand straight. Then blades can come by and whack their heads off.

I don't think that sounds like a good substitute for AS at all. I'll stick w/ my others. All my others:

AV
OS
EL
Aubrey
Masters (a couple)
Pinauds (many)
Stephan (several)
Floid (a few)...

Oldhope

09-06-2008, 11:01 AM

I wonder if it would be effective as a pre-shave treatment for wet shaving as well as electric shaving though?

otherstar

09-06-2008, 11:19 AM

I don't think it would since it stiffens the whiskers as opposed to softening them. It also dries the skin out so that an electric razor will not catch and pull on moist skin. When I use an electric (which is hardly at all any more), I always use Lectric Shave and shave before my shower so I can shave on as dry a face as possible, otherwise it hurts like heck.

DecaplegicSquid

09-06-2008, 10:23 PM

studman46

03-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Found an old bottle of William's Lectric Shave in the cupboard and seeing the ads on tv where it makes the whiskers stand up for a 52% closer shave, thought I'd try it. After hot shower, I applied some and let sit on face for 30 seconds before lathering up with some Williams soap and got a great BBS, irritation free shave. As I lightly rinsed face between passes, it felt slick like Shave Secret oil drops do. Trouble spots on neck were mowed down with no problem and no irritation. Have I stumbled onto something here? Any thoughts from others here on B&B?.

ClubmanRob

03-12-2009, 05:37 PM

I believe the Lectric Shave would be counter-productive for wetshaving, as the entire point of Lectric Shave is to completely rid your face of moisture (hence the high alcohol) in order to better soften your hair. A pre-shave or Shave Secret would be more appropriate, as it too will soften your hair but hydrate your skin.

An alcohol based pre-electric shave could be used every once in a while for a wet shave, but I would think that repeated use before wetshaving would end up drying out your skin pretty horribly.

mmack66

03-12-2009, 05:43 PM

_JP_

03-12-2009, 06:12 PM

I don't like the smell of Williams Lectric Shave.

Jasonian

03-12-2009, 10:38 PM

I find much of this description to be.. well.. contradictory.

Williams Lectric Shave
BE KIND TO YOUR FACE IT'S THE ONLY ONE YOU HAVE.

Although one of the many benefits of electric razors is that they are fast and easy; they can still rub your face the wrong way leaving it dry and uncomfortable. Most men who use electric shavers use a pre-shave lotion for a closer, smoother shave. More men use Lectric Shave than any other brand.

Men use Lectric Shave because it works. Here is how it works. Beard hairs often lie down flat against your skin. Part of the reason is dampness; oils and greases tend to hold the hair down, much in the way tall grass lies flat when wet. Within seconds of splashing on Lectric Shave your beard will start to bristle up as the natural moisture evaporates. The dry hair will stands up straight allowing you to get a closer shave than you ever thought possible.

Williams Lectric Shave pre-shave makes the most of your electric razor by protecting your face from irritation. Its lubricants and moisturizers help the razor glide smoothly over your face. Just apply, let it dry, then shave and rinse. Your skin will be smooth and comfortable with a healthy look.

Williams Lectric Shave recently introduced Lectric Shave Ultra- a pre shave gel. Ultra is a non-oily, non-greasy, easy way to apply pre-shave gel. Its lubrication helps your razor glide smoothly and reduce razor burn. New Lectric Shave Ultra has a contemporary scent and contains menthol, aloe and vitamin E which help soothe sensitive skin.
from: http://www.electricshaverstore.com/get_item_22132_williams-lectric-shave-original-3-oz-hazmat.htm

ClubmanRob

03-12-2009, 11:22 PM

I find much of this description to be.. well.. contradictory.

I can see why, and it is- to a point.

You've got to look at dry shaving with an electric as the opposite of wetshaving. And to do so, you need to do the exact opposite of what you do while wetshaving in order to prepare your beard.

When shaving with a razor blade, you want to get your skin hydrated and hot. Hydration softens the hair, and heat opens your pours which allows more access to your hair from the blade.

When dryshaving, your hair needs to be softened as well, but hydration and heat are two things you need to keep away from your skin. Your skin needs to be completely dry, and your hair needs to be standing straight up in order to be caught by the microguard that positions the hair under the cutting mechanism. The alcohol and myristic acid in Lectric Shave both strip your skin of grease and oil, as well as close your pores, which allows hair to stand straight up once the oil that was holding it down is removed.

That much is true, but here's what causes me concern: "Williams Lectric Shave pre-shave makes the most of your electric razor by protecting your face from irritation. Its lubricants and moisturizers help the razor glide smoothly over your face. Just apply, let it dry, then shave and rinse. Your skin will be smooth and comfortable with a healthy look."

The problem I have with that is that there are no lubricants and moisturizers in Lectric Shave, unless you count Tea Leaf Extract, which is more an anti-oxidant and exfoliate than a moisturizer. I guess in the very broadest sense of the word, you can consider any liquid property a lubricant, but that's patently misleading.

As for the gel, I have no idea what that would accomplish in a dryshaver except a crappy shave, as the whole concept of a dermatologically safe oil that strips natural oil is counter-intuitive. There are such products, but they work to prohibit the body's natural tendency to promote oil, which may work at drying out your skin in the long run, but would accomplish little in the three minutes or so that Williams suggest you wait to dry before shaving. The gel formula would promote a sense of hydrating properties, but they would be false and temporary, at best.

For anyone that still occasionally uses a dry shaver with a pre-shave, I highly recommend still using an aftershave of some sort that contains moisturizing properties. The guys that have skin that is naturally somewhat oily usually see no need for an aftershave, but for most normal skin types a hydrating aftershave is needed to restore moisture lost during the Lectric Shave phase. Your best bet, when dryshaving without aftershave afterwards, is to not use a Pre-Electric in the first place. Your shave quality may suffer, but you wouldn't have as much a chance for irritation from dry skin afterwards.

TheBigL

03-13-2009, 03:16 AM

I don't like the smell of Williams Lectric Shave.

Agreed. I have a bottle that's been used maybe four times. Plus, I couldn't simply wash the fragrance away. I could smell it all day.

SavantStrike

03-13-2009, 06:29 AM

I can see why, and it is- to a point.

You've got to look at dry shaving with an electric as the opposite of wetshaving. And to do so, you need to do the exact opposite of what you do while wetshaving in order to prepare your beard.

When shaving with a razor blade, you want to get your skin hydrated and hot. Hydration softens the hair, and heat opens your pours which allows more access to your hair from the blade.

When dryshaving, your hair needs to be softened as well, but hydration and heat are two things you need to keep away from your skin. Your skin needs to be completely dry, and your hair needs to be standing straight up in order to be caught by the microguard that positions the hair under the cutting mechanism. The alcohol and myristic acid in Lectric Shave both strip your skin of grease and oil, as well as close your pores, which allows hair to stand straight up once the oil that was holding it down is removed.

That much is true, but here's what causes me concern: "Williams Lectric Shave pre-shave makes the most of your electric razor by protecting your face from irritation. Its lubricants and moisturizers help the razor glide smoothly over your face. Just apply, let it dry, then shave and rinse. Your skin will be smooth and comfortable with a healthy look."

The problem I have with that is that there are no lubricants and moisturizers in Lectric Shave, unless you count Tea Leaf Extract, which is more an anti-oxidant and exfoliate than a moisturizer. I guess in the very broadest sense of the word, you can consider any liquid property a lubricant, but that's patently misleading.

As for the gel, I have no idea what that would accomplish in a dryshaver except a crappy shave, as the whole concept of a dermatologically safe oil that strips natural oil is counter-intuitive. There are such products, but they work to prohibit the body's natural tendency to promote oil, which may work at drying out your skin in the long run, but would accomplish little in the three minutes or so that Williams suggest you wait to dry before shaving. The gel formula would promote a sense of hydrating properties, but they would be false and temporary, at best.

For anyone that still occasionally uses a dry shaver with a pre-shave, I highly recommend still using an aftershave of some sort that contains moisturizing properties. The guys that have skin that is naturally somewhat oily usually see no need for an aftershave, but for most normal skin types a hydrating aftershave is needed to restore moisture lost during the Lectric Shave phase. Your best bet, when dryshaving without aftershave afterwards, is to not use a Pre-Electric in the first place. Your shave quality may suffer, but you wouldn't have as much a chance for irritation from dry skin afterwards.

While an electric shaving process is different from a wet shave, I'm still with Jasonian on this one. The description sends some serious mixed messages. At first it claims that by removing natural moisture, Lectric Shave causes the beard to stand up, but soon after the manufacturer claims it contains lubricants and moisturizers. Which is it?

CloseShave

03-13-2009, 07:36 AM

I am a straight razor shaver and find it provides the longest lasting shave possible. In odyssey to this conclusion, I have used all methods of shaving: DEs, multi-blades, electrics and straights. In the use of eletrics, my experience is that Wilson Pre-Shave Balm yields the closest and most comfortable shave possible with an electric. It is better than their original clear product and superior to talc bases products. Electric shaving without prep leads to a rash for most people. The reason I find electric shaving inferior is that the shave while initally close does not last as long as any wet shaving razor.

Thebigspendur

03-13-2009, 08:12 AM

When I used an electric years ago electric shave left my face with an oily feel (I didn't use williams) and that does not go with wet shaving. For an electric you need it though.

DBLE ARROW BLADE

03-13-2009, 11:09 AM

[QUOTE= The reason I find electric shaving inferior is that the shave while initally close does not last as long as any wet shaving razor.[/QUOTE]

+1

i still have my noreco advantage, and for a quick smooth shave it works well. But although it feels smooth when I'm done shaving, it doesn't take long for stubble to be back (maybe a couple of hours)

With my straight razor, my face is still smoth when I come home at the end of the day. No comparison.

I haven't tried DEs yet, but am looking into getting one for the times I don't have enough time for the straight, but want a closer shave than the electric.

CloseShave

03-13-2009, 11:57 AM

+1

i still have my noreco advantage, and for a quick smooth shave it works well. But although it feels smooth when I'm done shaving, it doesn't take long for stubble to be back (maybe a couple of hours)

With my straight razor, my face is still smoth when I come home at the end of the day. No comparison.

I haven't tried DEs yet, but am looking into getting one for the times I don't have enough time for the straight, but want a closer shave than the electric.

A DE will accomplish this as will a multi-blade though a DE is a better choice as is discussed in detail in thr section on DEs.

ClubmanRob

03-13-2009, 12:25 PM

While an electric shaving process is different from a wet shave, I'm still with Jasonian on this one. The description sends some serious mixed messages. At first it claims that by removing natural moisture, Lectric Shave causes the beard to stand up, but soon after the manufacturer claims it contains lubricants and moisturizers. Which is it?

You'll find, if you dig through my explanation, that I am also in agreement with Jasonian. :biggrin:

SavantStrike

03-13-2009, 01:36 PM

So you were.... I misread it :P

As for electrics I'll pass. Admittedly I never tried any pre shave prep with one, but I had ingrown hairs and irritation like no other...

Shadoglare

03-14-2009, 10:42 AM

Most men who use electric shavers use a pre-shave lotion for a closer, smoother shave.

Uhhh hate to break it to the Lectric Shave folks... but I've never used a pre-shave lotion with an electric in my entire life. I don't think I've ever met a guy who did.

(Well... technically I did try this stuff once - but saw no noticeable difference with the shave, and thought it reeked. My 15+ year old bottle is still stashed in a cabinet somewhere I think).

ClubmanRob

03-14-2009, 12:52 PM

Uhhh hate to break it to the Lectric Shave folks... but I've never used a pre-shave lotion with an electric in my entire life. I don't think I've ever met a guy who did.

(Well... technically I did try this stuff once - but saw no noticeable difference with the shave, and thought it reeked. My 15+ year old bottle is still stashed in a cabinet somewhere I think).

My grandfather and his friends all use it pretty religiously. They're also died-in-the-wool Skin Bracer/Aqua Velva men that abandoned wetshaving fifty years ago and never looked back. :biggrin:

I don't care for the scent of regular 'Lectric Shave (too close to green Skin Bracer for me) but I like the newer Tea Leaf varieties. They smell much more like a modern aquatic, more along the line of Ice Sport Aqua Velva. I will never use an electric shaver (once was enough for me) but I get the back of my neck with clippers, and I use some Target store brand pre-electric knock off. It's a blue color, and it's the tea leaf formula. It smells great and really does seem to help give me a smooth, close trim in the back of my neck.

jrcrow79

03-14-2009, 12:54 PM

Just lectrified my face last night!...Smoooth!

LiveOak

01-27-2010, 05:51 PM

So, the purpose of Lectric Shave is to stand the whiskers up so the electric shaver can grab them. This seems like it would be helpful for a good DE shave also. Has anyone tried this or think it would help? Or is this what good prep does anyway?

bigstick

01-27-2010, 08:31 PM

but I have a bottle of LS in the cabinet. Maybe I'll lock the door, turn out all the lights and turn on all the taps so the bugs are confused, and give it a try?

Go West Young Man

01-27-2010, 10:07 PM

LS dries the hairs out to make them snap off easily - the exact opposite of what a wetshave needs.

Matt555

01-27-2010, 11:07 PM

Does anyone else hate the smell of that stuff???

bigstick

01-28-2010, 11:13 AM

Me, for one, which is why I didn't rush to experiment this morning.

ShaveAddict

02-16-2010, 01:29 PM

Today i was waiting for my gf while she had an appointment, so i went at my local drugstore looking for shaving product, there was a big bottle of Aqua Velva at 3,99$, i took it, i took also 2 pucks of Williams(never tried it before),
and i saw the Lectric Shave product.
They say it's a pre-shave product but i kind of doubt that a product that contains mostly alcohol haves a good pre-shave effect on the face.
Let me know what you think about that product if you tried that product before.
Thanks.

Alfredo Becerra

02-16-2010, 01:46 PM

Well, in short, it's not fancy but it works.

From reading your post I'm assuming you are intending it for wet shaving and it does not work for that purpose.

Lectric Shave dries your whiskers so the electric razor can cut them easier, and this is not what you tipically want when wet shaving.

If you want a pre shave product for wet shaving there are many options out there, lectric shave isn't one of them.

For use with an electric razor it works fairly well though.

ShaveAddict

02-16-2010, 02:05 PM

Thanks, i didn't knew it was for electric razors.

Prince

02-16-2010, 02:09 PM

Lectric Shave = worthless

AV = priceless

DFrancis

02-16-2010, 02:14 PM

I got a bottle of it in my stocking the year I got my first electric shaver. So many years ago.

ShaveAddict

02-16-2010, 02:18 PM

Lectric Shave = worthless

AV = priceless

Williams soap?=

Mooncalf

02-16-2010, 02:21 PM

For use with an electric razor it works fairly well though.

I'll second that. Back when I used electric, I would never be without good ol' Lectric Shave. I'd get horrible razor bumps on my neck without it.

I still have one lonely bottle of green Lectric Shave in my bathroom cabinet somewhere, though the electric razor is long since gone (several years now). :blush:

Mooncalf

02-16-2010, 02:22 PM

Williams soap?=

Williams Soap = Priced appropriately, but worth every penny. :thumbup1:

ChipBlood

02-16-2010, 03:23 PM

Prince

02-16-2010, 05:46 PM

Williams Soap = Priced appropriately, but worth every penny. :thumbup1:

Good save.

Drubbing

02-16-2010, 07:05 PM

Thanks, i didn't knew it was for electric razors.

I can see how the name could be confusing...:thumbup1:

Stroker

02-16-2010, 07:14 PM

I used to use Lectric shave when I used an electric razor (back in the workaholic days) and it works quite well for that purpose. As was said previously it's not for wet shaving. I still have a bottle of it in my cabinet but I use it for stripping paint and such, seriously it's tolulene or something really vile like acitone or something. :001_cool: It works great for taking that sticky stuff thats left behind when you pull a price tag off of jars and such. Don't use it on plastic though, it will melt or etch into it. :scared:

Razorburne

02-16-2010, 07:14 PM

Williams is by no means "bad", but there is much better out there. It's just ok on its own, but even better if making a superlather - load up your brush with Williams and then combine that with your favorite cream (i.e. - Proraso)....one good lather!

Dubbya

02-16-2010, 07:23 PM

Williams soap?=

That question can only be answered with another question. Two really.

How's your patience? and Do you like MWF lather?

cjspence

07-16-2010, 05:36 PM

Today, for the first time since I embarked on this great shave quest, I shaved with my electric razor, a Panasonic ES8066. On the occasional day with no time for a proper shave, I have in the past resorted to an M3, but the M3 feels so unpleasant to me in contrast to my now usual Gillette Slim, I just can't do it. The electric shaver, however, was not so bad; washed my face afterwards with some good Speick bar soap, and touched up with a disposable. Maybe five minutes as opposed to a half hour minimum for a real shave. More like 45 minutes, really. Later today I was in the grocery store and my eye fell on the Lectric Shave. And I wondered: does it actually do anything? I know Speick makes some sort of purported electric pre-shave. Anybody tried it for that purpose?

SiBurning

07-16-2010, 05:42 PM

It does rise to some occasions (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=125436).

Seriously, though, it's been a long time, but it did help somehow with an electric. Just can't remember what it does. I think it kind of made the thing glide over my face easier. Maybe all it did was act as a moisture barrier, since moisture on your face means a lot more friction.

rodeo

07-16-2010, 05:49 PM

I used it off and on when I used an electric on a regular basis. I think it helps to raise your whiskers and it acts as a lube to help your razor glide over your face. It's cheap enough if I recall and I probably still have some in my bathroom cabinet.

elspartan

09-06-2010, 07:51 PM

I've heard all the arguements on why this stuff should never be used for wet shaving - it contains a lot of alcohol, makes your whiskers stiffer - the opposite of what you want, etc.

But, in my case it did well to lube my skin as a pre-shave lotion applied before using my proraso cream. Very little irritaion. Also, I think it does still help in getting the whiskers to "stand up". I'm getting bbs shaves almost every time.

As far as making your whiskers "stiffer" - yes, I think it does do that. But, it isn't a probably as long as you're using a sharp DE or SE blade. Think about it, how much sharper can the blades of an electric razor be? And most people think it works fine with their electric.

YMMV, but for $5, it may be worth experimenting with.

The Last Chimney

09-07-2010, 06:12 AM

I dunno, LS didn't improve my shave even when I was a dedicated electric shaver. It just made my skin greasier. I doubt it would be any better for wetshaving. Any vegetable oil would probably be a better pre-shave.

I tossed the LS a while ago.

captp

03-21-2011, 07:34 PM

Yep, that's what I said, Williams Preshave. Bet you never heard of it. That's because the company doesn't know what it has.

I've been using Williams Mug Soap as my "preshave" for about a week now and I think it beats the Castle Forbes lotion by a mile. Instead of my regular liquid soap to wash my face, I've been washing with the puck of Williams I decided I didn't want to shave with; harder to lather than most, but it gives a perfectly acceptable shave. I used it as a shower soap for a week or so, and liked how it worked. It occurred to me that it might make a good preshave because of the tallow; left my skin feeling real smooth after showering.

How do you use it? Wet face with good hot water, rub soap directly on face. Use hand to rub it in and make a lather; makes a much richer, smoother lather than regular hand or bath soap. Wet hand on wash cloth for just a little more water. Wipe soap of face with washcloth, or rinse with water. Proceed to shave with your regular shave soap or cream the way you normally do.

I get way less irritation on a 2-3 pass shave than with anything else.

Wonder what else might work like that. I'm thinking Mitchell's Wool Fat might be even better due to the lanolin.

Note that I usually shave before I shower, not in or afterward.

Flame on WHAD.:spockflam

Venom

03-21-2011, 08:56 PM

Cup of warm milk. Check
Comfy chair. Check

This is going to be good.

captp

03-21-2011, 09:03 PM

Cup of warm milk. Check
Comfy chair. Check

This is going to be good.

I'm sorry, The Devil made me do it:laugh:

Topgumby

03-21-2011, 09:12 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/shaving_science1957.jpg

It's a great idea...but I think it's been done before...

captp

03-21-2011, 09:20 PM

It's a great idea...but I think it's been done before...

Aye, Aye, Top, but I mean with Williams not regular soap.

Topgumby

03-21-2011, 09:49 PM

I do a variation of this pretty often. I can't get along with Burt's Bees Bay Rum Shaving Soap as a shave soap, so in the shower it went. I'll often use it as a pre shave face soap.

Most shaving soaps have ingredients that are designed to soften the beard, so using them as a pre-shave face wash makes perfect sense.

Wil Dorenbos

03-22-2011, 01:51 AM

Yep, that's what I said, Williams Preshave. Bet you never heard of it. That's because the company doesn't know what it has.

I've been using Williams Mug Soap as my "preshave" for about a week now and I think it beats the Castle Forbes lotion by a mile. Instead of my regular liquid soap to wash my face, I've been washing with the puck of Williams I decided I didn't want to shave with; harder to lather than most, but it gives a perfectly acceptable shave. I used it as a shower soap for a week or so, and liked how it worked. It occurred to me that it might make a good preshave because of the tallow; left my skin feeling real smooth after showering.

I get way less irritation on a 2-3 pass shave than with anything else.

Wonder what else might work like that. I'm thinking Mitchell's Wool Fat might be even better due to the lanolin.

Note that I usually shave before I shower, not in or afterward.

I am not surprised: any good shave soap can be used for pre shave lather. So, Williams qualifies :thumbup1: I use remainders of my shave sticks for this, tho, as I can not get Williams downhere...

Luc

08-17-2012, 05:29 AM

Graybeard57

08-17-2012, 05:32 AM

Yes, it does, IMO. If you like the fragrance, I think you'll be please with its AS results.

Omak

08-17-2012, 05:50 AM

Something to note, on my block of osma alum it states it can be used as a preshave for electric as well. To my mind it makes sense that a preshave for one might be a good aftershave for the other.

When I first started wet shaving coming from electric I tried the alum and it did seem to work nicely.

Luc

08-17-2012, 06:49 AM

From what I see, other than having a lot of alcohol in there, it doesn't seem too bad unless I'm missing something...

Luc

08-17-2012, 06:55 AM

So, I did some research and it seems like it's either borderline ok as Aftershave or it will dry the skin too much because of the alcohol... I think this is a case closed...

The Kiwi

08-17-2012, 01:46 PM

So, I did some research and it seems like it's either borderline ok as Aftershave or it will dry the skin too much because of the alcohol... I think this is a case closed...

So large a percentage of men my age have always electric shaved, that I have made numerous attempts to go along with the majority, and failed every time. Only as a portable emergency, not to be used on successive days, I own and keep charged, a Norelco cordless, which rides around in my car about half the year (the less-overheated half), when it won't be damaged by the kind of heat that can build up inside a car in a South Texas afternoon's sunlight.

I tried 'Lectric Shave several times, and it hasn't gotten any better, but Mennen's Afta is available as a pre-electric. Same as Afta altershave, it is a lotion, not a splash, and while it might not make the emergency shaves with the shaver end up any closer, I think it does reduces the level of skin irritation some.

SiBurning

08-17-2012, 05:12 PM

I know, it says electric razor on the bottle and pre-shave, not aftershave... This stuff is available at pretty much any supermarket or pharmacy that I walk in.

I'm looking at the ingredients:

SD Alcohol 40B, Isopropyl Myristate, Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Benzophenone 1, Green Tea, Trisodium HEDTA, Green 5, Yellow 10, Orange 4.

It says pre-shave but the ingredients seem ok to be used as an Aftershave? Does it work?
re: Isopropyl Myristate
It's liquid wrench (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/125436-Picture-showing-lectric-shave-and-liquid-wrench-rise-to-any-occassion)

Wrench [rench]
verb (used with object)
1. to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist: He wrenched the prisoner's wrist.
2. to overstrain or injure (the ankle, knee, etc.) by a sudden, violent twist: When she fell, she wrenched her ankle.
3. to affect distressingly as if by a wrench.
4.to wrest, as from the right use or meaning: to wrench the facts out of context.

Shouldn't there be a #5 that explains why we don't use this here?