04.11.08
Trying a preshave gel
I’ve heard now from a couple of shavers who found that the Taylor of Old Bond Street Herbal Preshave Gel was effective. I had tried it in the past, but it didn’t seem to help, but then I didn’t realize that you don’t just apply it and lather: instead, you apply it and let it sit for a while and then lather. So I’m going to use it for a week, and then a week not using it, and see what I find.
This morning, then, I washed my beard with MR GLO, as always, and then applied a bit of the gel. I puttered about, washing my glasses and so on, and then lathered: Institut Karité shaving soap and the Rooney Heritage Alibaba Large. I still find that brush a problem: too stiff and dense to work easily, and it doesn’t hold much lather. I’ll continue to use it to see whether it breaks in, but if not, look for it on the Selling/Trading forum.
I used the Edwin Jagger ivory Chatsworth with the Astra Superior Platinum blade, which I just used, to see if I could tell the difference in the shave. I couldn’t really, but I did get a very good shave. I finished with an oil pass using Leisureguy’s Last-Pass Shaving Oil™, and then rinsed, dried, and applied Jade East aftershave. Quite a nice shave, overall.
David Fox said,
11 April 2008 at 4:13 pm
Mike, Fantastic and enjoyable information you post daily.I look forward daily to reading your posts. In regards to your “Pre-Shave” post. I have tried the “pre-shave oils, and creams (PREP & CREMA 3P). But I have to tell you, about a month ago, I read The Fundamentals of Wet Shaving on the Geo F Trumper site: http://www.trumpers.com/shaving_tips.cfm
and on item (2) preparing the face, they suggested applying Skin Food before the lather. I always had used this product as an aftershave to moisturize my skin. So to my surprise, after washing my face with Musco Real (MR GLO) and applying a hot washcloth to my face for a minimum of 45 seconds, and applying 4-6 drops drops of lime skin food and rubbing in lightly, and then appling my lather, I have been getting the “BEST” and “SMOOTHEST” shaves of my life. I find it pretty amazing! It must have something to do with the glycerin thats in the product. As you have said many times, the Variables in wet shaving are the razor, blades, and lather. But, the most important (non-variable)is the PREParation. Give it a try. I think you will find that you won’t need the oil pass anymore.
LeisureGuy said,
11 April 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hi, David. Actually, I have tried both that and 100% glycerine, both of which I used on each pass before lathering. (I discuss both in the book, in fact.) They do seem to work somewhat, though I find the oil pass does something a little different.
At any rate, right now I’m intrigued by the gel and want to see how it works—especially on Monday’s two-day stubble.
Thanks for commenting. After this run, I’ll try the Trumper Skin Food and also the glycerine again. It will be interesting to see how they work today, since one’s technique inevitably evolves over time.