Grooming Dept

I mostly use GroomingDept and Tallow & Steel these days as I find with repeated use these shave soaps act more as a skin care regime than anything else. The post shave benefits really shine through with repeated use. They heal the skin post shave...in my use. I’ve never had a reaction or flare up with these two artisans.

Mohammad’s upcoming pre-shave is mainly made of saponified Safflower Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado oil. One night/morning head and face shave down and I’m just wondering if it’s a pre-shave or post-shave product or both.

Instructions are to work it into the beard for a minute, minute and a half, then apply your soap of choice. Just in this initial use I found the pre-shave helped out with any razor drag and it felt like it actually held more water within the lather. Four day growth this am and no time for the Karve or Timeless, (summers over!) and tackled the heavy whiskers with a new Mach 3 to a glass smooth finish. Only some Cucumber Thayers WH to finish. So far it feels like I’ve put a balm on.

As one can see this is version 32 and it shows in the product. On initial use I noticed it helped the blade glide smoothly while enhancing the post shave feel. Very nice product with a lot of testing to get it right!

Very well written, Max. I am extremely excited to try it out and especially with soaps that don't perform in the top tier, to see how it can enhance them.

Josh, thanks yes, I found an old Trumpers Lime soap tucked away last night I will try with the pre-shave tomorrow. A good test as that soap was just awful!

Will be anxious to read your thoughts!

Got my pre-shave sample yesterday and will use it Friday morning. I have tried several pre-shave formulas and realized quickly that pre-shave oils were not good for my skin at all. I used the ProRaso pre-shave creams for a while and then discovered Micky Lee’s pre-shave butter which I have been using for a couple years now. I prefer the peppermint or lavender tubs. These have been outstanding for me for a while now so when I started talking to Mo about the pre-shave he was doing, my ears opened wide and eyes even wider. GD soaps are the reason I never use an aftershave anymore. I just don’t need it. I know this pre-shave has been in the wind to a few people for a short time now so I am really looking forward to using it to validate all of the kudos people have been giving it. Stay tuned!


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I mostly use GroomingDept and Tallow & Steel these days as I find with repeated use these shave soaps act more as a skin care regime than anything else. The post shave benefits really shine through with repeated use. They heal the skin post shave...in my use. I’ve never had a reaction or flare up with these two artisans.

Mohammad’s upcoming pre-shave is mainly made of saponified Safflower Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado oil. One night/morning head and face shave down and I’m just wondering if it’s a pre-shave or post-shave product or both.

Instructions are to work it into the beard for a minute, minute and a half, then apply your soap of choice. Just in this initial use I found the pre-shave helped out with any razor drag and it felt like it actually held more water within the lather. Four day growth this am and no time for the Karve or Timeless, (summers over!) and tackled the heavy whiskers with a new Mach 3 to a glass smooth finish. Only some Cucumber Thayers WH to finish. So far it feels like I’ve put a balm on.

As one can see this is version 32 and it shows in the product. On initial use I noticed it helped the blade glide smoothly while enhancing the post shave feel. Very nice product with a lot of testing to get it right!

I used the V32 preshave this morning for the first time and I used little less than pictured amount in vtmax pic and have to say this preshave tamed the bite of the mighty Cobra Classic. Could still feel the blade but took away that feeling that it was going to bite me. I don't rinse off after the first pass, just apply a second coat of shave soap in this case GD Chypre Conifere and where this preshave really shined was against the grain as I only do 2 pass shaves. SLICK, hardly felt the mighty cobra blade and excellent BBS shave. Rinsed off and really, really smooth which enhanced even more the slick post shave feel I always receive from GD soaps. Tomorrow will try using a tad more preshave as I was Mr. Skimpy with todays use and see if there is any difference at all in the shave feel. Looks like a total winner in my book and this was the first go around with testing this preshave.

If anyone has any signs of the pre Shave being comodogenic /acne causing please give your input. Here’s hoping to not!

Less of a rush this morning and pulled out the Paradigm 17-4. The Mach 3 (and Fusion) can mask detailed single blade sensitivity and awareness at times. The 17-4 is a good test as I can feel the blade and don’t find the shave as comfortable as the Karve C and Timeless Ti .95.

I used less pre-shave this am (as Guy noticed above in the picture) as I scooped a good dab previously but that was for the evening head shave.

The Wizamet Iridium glided to a smooth two pass finish. It’s important not to totally wash off the first pass and lose the pre-shave. It appears in look and feel to incorporate into the shaving soap nicely. I noticed the blade glides quickly and rinses easily with no greasy residue at all. Still humid out, no balm but not necessary as I mentioned yesterday. This pre-shave has the added benefit of being a post as well. Very nice.

The Trumpers Limes was my favorite soap 20 years ago. It’s all we had. The GD pre-shave masked its weaknesses well. Mohammad has made a wonderful product even if he is now on V33 or higher!

If anyone has any signs of the pre Shave being comodogenic /acne causing please give your input. Here’s hoping to not!

I’ve been using it daily for over a month, and have not had any issues.

I consider myself one of the fortunate ones who has a sample of the pre-shave from Mohammad. I was able to give it it's first try, for which I am impressed.

I am a straight razor guy and am already smitten with GD's shaving products. As most are aware, Grooming Department soaps/creams are at the top of the game.

Today, I used the pre-shave (unscented) in conjunction with GD Chypre Conifère soap. You can feel how slick the pre-shave is when it is on your hands. I followed Mo's instructions on how to apply/use the product. My first observation was that it actually improved the lather of this already exceptional product! The best way I can describe it is that the lather presented as thicker when applied to the face. The blade did effortlessly glide across the skin just a bit better than before on the first and second pass (I only do two passes). Where the difference was the most noticeable was ATG under the nose. The best performance I have had in this area yet! Another observation, when I rinsing the face after the shave, I could really feel how slick my skin was. I have never experienced this with any shaving product.

In summary:

1. Yes, the pre-shave does improve the slickness during the shave
2. Yes, the post shave feel was improved. My upper lip has never felt this smooth/irritation free following a shave, period. If with Chypre Conifère post shave alone was a 9.5, with it, it's a 9.8. That said, It is awfully difficult to improve on this soap all by itself.

I'm curious how the scented versions complement/conflict with a shaving soap of choice. I will have to experiment and would love to get Mo's opinion/input. I will experiment with other shaving soaps/creams to see how/if the performance improves. However, I am getting to the point of why use a shave soap/cream from any other source when Grooming Department's are this good!! Can't wait to place an order!!!

Thank you Mohammad!! Another winner!