I use shave soaps or Omega shave cream applied with a brush. I recently stumbled across Alonzo's shave oil. From the ingredients list it appears to be olive oil with a dash of other oils.

Any reports on shave oil versus shave soaps or cremes?

Any reason to switch?

I use Bulldog beard oil as a first layer under my shave cream. It's not super fancy and reasonably priced which is good if I accidentally leave it in a hotel. Mixed with a little water in my hands it creates a nice slick layer to really help the razor glide.

I have tried oil in the past.
I did not notice any difference in my shave.
The one thing I did notice, it clogged up my safety razor to the point where I had to take it apart while shaving several times.
The oil was a free sample I got at The Art Of Shaving at our local mall.

I tried the Art of Shaving oil and it didn’t seem to make enough difference over just the AoS cream (that I really like) to be worth the effort.

I use this guy's soap, it's marvelous.
http://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com

I’ve tried The Art of Shaving Oil and didn’t find it to be as good as soap or cream. I’ve got pretty tough stubble that likes to get ingrown so I don’t sport a seriously close shave anymore.

The Art of Shaving is overpriced crap from P&G (Gillette).

I used a sample oil from somewhere that wasn't bad but not much different than my nicer shave soaps.

My wife got me a bottle of Musco Real pre-shave oil as a gift a while ago, which I sometimes use under my usual Proraso soap. It smells fantastic and feels nice but I'm not sure it actually results in a better shave.

I’ve noticed a difference when I apply hair conditioner to my face prior to applying the soap with a brush. Everything goes just a little smoother and feels a little closer.

I shave in the shower and my procedure is:

1) new Astra blade for every shave (2-3 a week, a box of 100 lasted more than a year and cost $10)

2) allow hot water to run over my face for a minute or two

3) rub in hair conditioner on my face

4) create lather with brush while conditioner works

5) apply lather

6) shave

7) cold water

Works great for me. I’m guessing it’s the same concept as a shave oil.

I use Shave Secret especially in my travel kit because the bottle is very small and easy to transport. 8-10 drops does an excellent job.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
I use Shave Secret especially in my travel kit because the bottle is very small and easy to transport. 8-10 drops does an excellent job.

Same here. It does a good job, but I will second the comment about it clogging up the razor. I prefer the Dr. Carver Shave Butter when I’m at home.

I will stick to soap or Omega shave cream then since there seems no compelling reason to switch based on responses so far.

I use only regular hair conditioner to shave.
After the shower, apply a hot/wrung-out wash cloth for a minute or two, apply conditioner, shave, DONE! No added expense or clutter in the cabinet.
Haven't cut myself yet.

I carry shave cream when I'm traveling, in small travel canisters, but also carry Shave Secret, for the same reasons as above. It works well enough, and it's been especially handy when I've run out of shave cream in locations where I couldn't go buy any.