Overrated! or Things that never worked for you that others deem necessary.

I've never had any luck with pre-shave oils.  These oils are touted as "improving razor glide" and "making lather more slick."  For me, pre-shave oils increase razor drag and seem to put a damper on the lather.  Even just a couple of drops.  I know some who swear by pre-shave oils, but they just seem to hinder, not help my shave.  This one really is a YMMV thing for me.

After reading so many "anti" pre-shave oil comments I have to wonder if it comes down to more than the use of oil.  Perhaps it has more to do with the type of oil, the amount used, our individual beard and skin types, the shaving soap or cream, or even the brush.  Perhaps it's just our perception of what is needed for a good shave.  In any event, I find a good pre-shave oil just helps smooth out my shaves.  As always, there is no right or wrong to this; it's what works for the individual.

When I started this little adventure just over a year and a half ago, I was told over and over to try oil.  I bought several different kinds and even mixed my own.  I hope I didn't come off as too negative.  This was one thing that I know many people swear by and I just couldn't make it work no matter how hard I tried.(or how many I bought! )    I'm glad it works for you, Freddy! I know, YMMV!  

No, you didn't come across as negative.  The thread was what we thought was overrated or simply didn't work for us.  Hey, lots of folks love Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap.  It just never worked for me.  Whether it was my technique, the hard water in my city, the brushes I used, it really doesn't make a difference; for me it doesn't work on a consistent basis and there are too many other great alternatives out there for me to keep trying.  Why wouldn't you feel the same way about pre-shave oils?

Just to add to this pre-shave oil discussion, I admit that I love them . Well, that's not exactly true. I love one of them. Acqua di Parma Collezione Barbiere oil... Glorious stuff. So slick that I can shave with it, no cream required.

Overrated: Using products as intended .

Over rated. Expensive brushes. I admit I fell for it years ago. Now I keep two Omega synthetics and one Razo Rock synthetic. Oh and one Simpson Special Pure Badger in my country house.
Alum. Never used it in my life.
Oils. Have one bottle around. Don't know where.

I know that many guys like them, but I tried a variety of single edge razors, including injectors, and didn't like them at all. Some provided a good shave, and the auditory feedback was appreciated, but overall I just greatly prefer double edge ones.

Preshave. Aftershave. Soap. Brushes (any kind).

In fact, most often all I use is razor + water with no other product at all, and I get great shaves!

Although I do, maybe every other shave or every third shave, use nice soap with brush in bowl and an aftershave splash/balm combo. Its nice to pamper yourself with these things, but totally unnecessary IMHO.

Preshave. Aftershave. Soap. Brushes (any kind).

In fact, most often all I use is razor + water with no other product at all, and I get great shaves!

Although I do, maybe every other shave or every third shave, use nice soap with brush in bowl and an aftershave splash/balm combo. Its nice to pamper yourself with these things, but totally unnecessary IMHO.

I cringe at this. This does explain a lot though. Good for you that you can shave so minimally and that your skin isn't as high maintenance as mine. I would look like raw hamburger if I did this for even one shave.

Preshave. Aftershave. Soap. Brushes (any kind).

In fact, most often all I use is razor + water with no other product at all, and I get great shaves!

Although I do, maybe every other shave or every third shave, use nice soap with brush in bowl and an aftershave splash/balm combo. Its nice to pamper yourself with these things, but totally unnecessary IMHO.

I cringe at this. This does explain a lot though. Good for you that you can shave so minimally and that your skin isn't as high maintenance as mine. I would look like raw hamburger if I did this for even one shave.

You want to know what's even stranger? When I use soaps I am more prone to weepers and irritation than I am without it.

I usually have to blade buff more without soap to get that really close BBS shave, while with soap I can get closer with less buffing (yet with a higher risk of weepers and irritation).

Sound crazy? I can't figure this one out myself!

What I understand is that you have a very thin beard. If you feel that the only things you need is a razor and a blade, then that's good for your pocket. I've seen many youtube guys with a very thin beard, maybe you should tell them how to save their money.



Preshaves are overrated for me.

LOL!

Yeah, it can be good for my pocket, but soaps, brushes, aftershaves are still a luxury. Not needed by any means, but the scents, face feel, moisturizing effects, etc. and all the pampering is a pleasure to use when I do.

Agree with SharpSpine on this. I can't imagine attempting using just water. My whiskers are far too coarse. It hurts just thinking about it! So for me, soaps are definitely not overrated, they are necessary.