Anyone try a pre-shave oil? Observations?

[Chacho]

I got a sample of the eshave white tea shave cream and really enjoyed the slickness of it (though it did not have the fluffiest of lather). I was thinking of buying some of the shave cream, but noticed they had some pre-shave oil as well which, they claim, results in a smoother slicker shave. I don't see any information on the eshave pre-shave oil in the review section. Anyone try a pre-shave oil? What are your observations?

[edwinguz]

I use Grapeola grapeseed oil. I got the idea of trying it after reading a review somewhere. It works and it's quite cheap. Just rub a little grapeseed oil on your face before you lather up and you are in for a more slick comfortable shave. Just be careful not to use too much.

[nav]

I often use the UK brand "Somersets". It has a really nice mix of skin caring goodies, works great and also packed full of menthol...my face is freezing during and well after the shave. If I follow it up with a menthol ASB or splash, I am in menthol heaven!

[lstorie1971]

I got a sample of the AOS shaving oil, and I really liked the feel of it on my face. I couldn't really tell an appreciable difference in the slickness of the shave though.

[Wingnut]

I tried Shave Secret (available at WalMart for about $3.50) when I first moved to DE shaving about 6 months ago, and I liked the results enough to keep using it. I don't follow the directions, which state to use ONLY SS instead of lather (that wound up being a bit sticky at cleanup), but as a PSO it's pretty good once you get past/embrace the clove scent. It's cheap, makes my face feel great during/after my shave, and easy to use and lasts about forever. Give it a try, and if you find it works for you you can move on to more expensive stuff if you'd like.

[taffy]

I have been using pre shave oil for ages, and find it helps a lot, certain oils, like all products, work better than others, also I have found that cheaper oils are sometimes way better than the expensive oils.

[Chacho]

Anyone else second Em's Place oil? I like the look of the ingredients and it is much more reasonably priced than eshave's.

[wwp512]

I've tried SS and other pre-shave oil. I find that I can not shave with oil alone, I have to use soap/cream on top of it.

Does it gives me a better shave? jury is still out. So far I can only conclude if I shave after a shower, I get a better shave regardless of what combination of shaving products I use.

[ama015]

I use an ecological soap made by Jorunn at Fitjarsoaps. It is called Nyasha Black. I wet my face with warm water, put on a little touch of the soap in my face, rub it in and then brush my teeth, make my lather and then wash it off with warm water. It absolutely soften the hairs and my shave becomes much smoother than using only warm water. If I am away from home I sometimes use hair conditioner, it also soften the hairs if you find the right conditioner. But the best shave = Fitjar Nyasha Black soap for me.

[Go West Young Man]

If you're going to bother with a preshave oil (which is a debatable proposition), might as well just use some olive or grapeseed oil from the kitchen. Most commercial shave oils are just a mix of basic oils you can buy yourself for pennies.

[icedoverfire]

I use glycerin (the drugstore stuff) and add 2-3 drops of a menthol shave oil. I think it definitely helps, but its use depends on the shaving cream.

- ice

[Loric]

I use them every shave, and I think it helps cut down on irritation. I have tried several and I like Gourmet Rose unscented shave oil the best. Its cheap, its not so thick as to clog up your razor, and its not so thin that it just disappears into your skin.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-oz-UNSCENTED-S...item5ad48b947c

[michiganlover]

If you're going to bother with a preshave oil (which is a debatable proposition)

I think they are entirely pointless if you have a good quality lather.

might as well just use some olive or grapeseed oil from the kitchen. Most commercial shave oils are just a mix of basic oils you can buy yourself for pennies.

The oils contained in preshave oils don't come anywhere close to equaling the price we pay for them. In my opinion the prices we are asked to pay for them is highway robbery. Take some basic oils that should cost next to nothing, add a nice scent, and all of a sudden you can sell it for a huge price premium; it's reminds me of the soda pop scam (soda pop costs literally about a nickel per serving).

[Danuhoh]

King of Shaves pre-shave oil with Kinexium; with both an electric razor (previously) and a DE. Works for me pretty well..............

[johnmrson]

I've tried a couple of different ones and I've found that they only make a marginal difference so I dodn't bother anymore. The extra time and effort to put on preshave oil isn't worth it in my opinion. YMMV though.

[Chacho]

I appreciate all the comments, tho I had no idea it was such a controversial topic . Well, I'm still pretty new to the wet shaving game, just five weeks, and I've hit my "I want to try it all phase." So, I've got my blade sampler and a number of different shave creams to try, etc, etc. It's all quite addicting, isn't it?

Well, Em's Place Pre Shave Oil had a few positive things said about it, and the price seems to be below highway robbery, so I gave it a go and placed the order. If it works for me... great, if not, well, that's all part if the experimentation phase, right?

[Uncle Erik]

I use a preshave oil now and then. I don't find it that helpful when I have the time for a full prep. However, if I'm in a rush, it makes an excellent substitute for a full prep. It's not quite as good (which is why I don't use it daily), but am glad to have a bottle in the shave den for when I need it. Give it a try.