Anyone experienced with shaving oil?

[JanJosh]

Essentially, I was wondering if anyone might have experience shaving with oil instead of shave soap? I've heard of it being done with straight razors and if anyone has pointers, do let me in.

Also, can this be done with tea sead/camellia oil? I've heard that it's both been supposedly used with straight razor shaving in the past, but is also used with blade maintenance. Any say on that?

 

[High Rock Lather]

Essentially, I was wondering if anyone might have experience shaving with oil instead of shave soap? I've heard of it being done with straight razors and if anyone has pointers, do let me in.

Also, can this be done with tea sead/camellia oil? I've heard that it's both been supposedly used with straight razor shaving in the past, but is also used with blade maintenance. Any say on that?

I've never shaved straight off oil but I use the death grip brand shave oil as a preshave oil. I don't think the oil would be able to provide the same level of cushion I'm looking for in a shave.

 

[JanJosh]

I've never shaved straight off oil but I use the death grip brand shave oil as a preshave oil. I don't think the oil would be able to provide the same level of cushion I'm looking for in a shave.

So explain further. What's the steps for using shave oil properly? Is it like, wash the face however, apply oil, then apply the soap lather right over it?

 

[CBLindsay]

This question/topic of using ONLY oil to shave has come up many times but I’ll be honest, this is the first I’ve seen anyone say anything about shaving oil being used to straight razor shave (assuming you were asking about using JUST oil and no lather) More than 15 years ago I found a small bottle of shaving oil (miracle oil I believe) at Walmart. It was sold next to regular cartridge razors and at the time I used either a Mach 3 or an old Gillette de. I used it and found it performed essentially the same as the canned foam/gel I was using at the time. This isn’t to say it was bad, only that I don’t recall it being superior in any way.

Now if we are talking about using oil as a pre-shave or as part of a typical wet shaving routine then I would agree oil can be a positive addition. The main idea being to make the skin as happy and pliable as possible before subjecting it to the abuse a razor (DE or straight) is about to inflict. I do in fact USE a pre-shave oil from time to time. What oil do I use? CBL Apothecary oil of course. Since I don’t sell this oil any more and I don’t know what is available from our artisans I would suggest keeping it super simple. You want a light, fast absorbing, oil like Jojoba or even argan oil (both are also great for your hair). Both of these oils also have a low comedogenic score so they aren’t likely to clog pores or irritate your skin. Another GREAT option if you can tolerate the feel is castor oil (cheap and easy to get at Walmart). Not only does castor oil have a low comedogenic score, it is a little thicker so it stays on the surface long enough to provide a little extra stickiness AND it also helps build a wonderful lather. You could also try rice bran oil or apricot oil but I would stay away from apricot oil because it can cause’purging’ and break outs for the first couple weeks you use it.

How do I use it? I wash as usual then apply a LITTLE bit of the oil on my wet face and rub in well. Then I proceed to load my brush and lather on my face as usual. If you are going to be using a straight razor (or that new kamisori) I would be sure to wash you hands after applying the oil (especially the castor oil since it will feel tacky but still be slippery when it counts). I prefer to use oil as a post shave before applying a good aftershave because it feels good and over time it can make your skin more supple and resistant to nicks etc.

You mention using the oil as part of straight razor maintenance too…I have actually done this but mostly on my shavette style razors. I wipe the oil on the part of the blade that is held by the razor so it has a little protection against rust as it sits unused. I don’t usually wipe oil on my straight razors unless I am placing them in storage for awhile. But I don’t use organic oils (like what you put on your skin) I prefer Balistol or similar gun oil that is made specifically to clean and prevent rust. For short term storage between uses I spray with a blend of isopropyl alcohol and barbicide then wipe it DRY and strop well.

 

[Spider]

I've always found pre-shave oils to be too thick, and in turn make for a less slick shav, which is the opposite of what you want for a straight shave. I do enjoy using oils as a post shave though for some great skin conditioning.

If using as Chris said to condition the skin beforehand, from my experience, I'd do it well in advance of the shave to give it a chance to really soak into the skin, and not done immediately before applying lather.

 

[CBLindsay]

I've always found pre-shave oils to be too thick, and in turn make for a less slick shav, which is the opposite of what you want for a straight shave. I do enjoy using oils as a post shave though for some great skin conditioning.

If using as Chris said to condition the skin beforehand, from my experience, I'd do it well in advance of the shave to give it a chance to really soak into the skin, and not done immediately before applying lather.

I'm with you on the slickness factor. I have never applied any sort of oil pre-shave and felt like I experienced a SLICKER surface as a result. I don't know (i don't recall) if I ever felt i got less slickness but I would guess it depends on the oil, the soap and the timing. Of all the oil available Castor oil is the only one known to be a lather booster in its raw form. Adding a drop to a lther bowl or the surface of a puck has been known to help build a thicker more stable lather.

 

[BarberDave]

my Take:
Shave oils evolved from the Greek, back in the day of very limited water, or more less running water Olive and other oils were used to actually cleanse the skin. It would applied rubbed in and a wooden "Strigil" would used to scrape the dirt and soften the skin, many fragrance oils well also combined, so you would not smell like a pasta salad.

As to the modern Shave oil, it is your face and shave, but like above, and from a professional standpoint it is "Snake Oil" as it were. I have not found it enhances the shave in anyway, does not assist the lather etc. Your own body produces sebum (oill) from your sebaceous glands when pores scrubbed or agitated. It is your body's mechanism to sooth and protect. Therefore in my opinion a good pre-shave routine of washing the face with a good soap, negates the need, and a good lathering technique is all you need. The body provides what any shave oil cannot, but if YOU like it in your shave regiment, then do it.

 

[High Rock Lather]

I agree with what Chris, Spider and Barberdave has said, I never used preshave outside of the bloom water from my soap. I never found it beneficial to my shaves, but then I was sent a sample of Truefitt&hill preshave oil, actually by spider and I really enjoyed it. Once I ran out I wanted something similar, but so far truefitt&hill is still the better preshave oil I have found it's just super light and absorbs quickly. But the death grip shave oil while a thicker oil just has a beautiful tea tree oil scent that I really love. I don't think it's necessary, I think your preshave routine is more important and the bloom water itself provides the same thing. I like to do the preshave oils about 10-15 minutes before I actually shave

 

[JanJosh]

So reading all this kinda leaves me with a "why bother" sorta thought process to this all. It's probably a preference or do what works thing but if pre shave oil is negligible or even useless unless you're building a lather for an unstable soap, this just feels like it should be applied after a shave or the night before.

And the ancient thing was apart of this question. Before the usage of soap I know it was hot water and oil, and maybe a numbing herbal mix thrown in with fragrance, but the tools were not as sharp and precise as today.

And the Kamisori was apart of this question too as it was used by samurai and nobles for grooming and hair styling and it led me to wonder what oils or technique was used, as apparently shave soap and similar really didn't exist until the European exposure much, much later. I was thinking and hoping to replicate that experience for fun with the best modern application of methods and tools but it seems, well, painfully unreasonable now.

Thanks for all the insight though. Perhaps I'll try out a small sample of pre shave oil in a shave someday or perhaps discover a method of shaving with just oil, if such a miracle substance or blend exists.

 

[High Rock Lather]

I mean if it's for something like that, trying to replicate a shave in history, you might as well try it. You never, it could turn out to be a great shave!
This is the shave oil that I've been using, I love using it, the tea tree is very good. And as always your mileage may vary, you may turn out to love a shave oil, or a preshave oil. I for one love Arko tons of people don't. But yes for general purpose shaving I don't think a preshave oil, makes a big difference. But for a shave like that, trying to replicate a shave in history I say go for it, I might try it out as well. I never thought about it like that before.

 

[JanJosh]

I mean if it's for something like that, trying to replicate a shave in history, you might as well try it. You never, it could turn out to be a great shave!
This is the shave oil that I've been using, I love using it, the tea tree is very good. And as always your mileage may vary, you may turn out to love a shave oil, or a preshave oil. I for one love Arko tons of people don't. But yes for general purpose shaving I don't think a preshave oil, makes a big difference. But for a shave like that, trying to replicate a shave in history I say go for it, I might try it out as well. I never thought about it like that before.
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You're right. I'll be less close minded. I guess nows the time to seek out a decent, authentic oil with some sakura blossom or sandalwood scent for the fun of it.

 

[High Rock Lather]

You're right. I'll be less close minded. I guess nows the time to seek out a decent, authentic oil with some sakura blossom or sandalwood scent for the fun of it.

That's the spirit, keep us updated please, id love to know if you find an oil like that and what you think of it.

 

[CBLindsay]

You're right. I'll be less close minded. I guess nows the time to seek out a decent, authentic oil with some sakura blossom or sandalwood scent for the fun of it.

For me, things like fragrance are always worth experimenting with. The idea of using an oil that has been infused with herbs that numb the skin or make it tinge (like tea tree?) might be fun too. Start with a light quick absorbing oil that you enjoy putting on your skin then go from there.
I have had oily skin my entire adulthood so i avoided oils and balms at all costs. I later found that if I used a high quality oil blend (like the CBL Apothecary oil) for a week or so my oily skin improved. Now I may not use oil as often but my skin is less oily and I can actually tolerate rubbing tallow balm on my face from time to time.

https://cblsoap.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CBL-Apothecary-Oil-Ingredient-detail-sheet.pdf here is a list of the oils I used to make my apothecary oil blend (still used in my Aftershave tonic) and the various properties they have. If you want to influse some fancy herbs you might consider Abyssinian Oil, its a little more expensive but it is great for infusions and it hits all the important points mentioned above. I still think I would lean toward using it as a post shave so I could enjoy the smell and feel of the herb infusion but no harm in playing around with it.