Thread: Is it possible to shave with just water??

Hey guys, my first razor and strop is arriving later this week. I didn't buy a brush, soap, or cup because I'm leaving town for two weeks. I couldn't find a good answer online so here goes.

I am curious if one could shave with just water applied to the shaving area. I don't have a thick beard or thick hairs, just a mustache with medium thickness whiskers. Is this possible for touch-ups and trimming?

If this is ill-advised (to which I wouldn't be surprised), can "canned goo", like gillette gel or barbasol, suffice?

I promise to buy a shaving kit when I get back from Vancouver, lol, but I reaaally want to try out my first razor.

Thanks guys!

You could go with just water. I haven't tried this with a straight but I have with the fancy 3+ blade cartridge razors. It's not a great shave at all, but I suppose you could. You'd be better off applying some "goo", heck even soap would likely be better than plain water (I've also done this as a last resort), but I guess it really boils down to the quality/type of edge you have and your hair type.

Yeah I tried that with cartridge razors and I can't say it feels good... hopefully the "goo" won't be too bad. My skin isn't sensitive if it matters.

Why just water? any bar of soap would do at a pinch. Be sure to rub it in well for a couple of minutes.

Or conditioner.

Hell I'll use toothpaste. Brush teeth and trim whiskers, two birds one stone

Possible? Yes. Comfortable? NO.

I've shaved with everything from hand soap to Barbasol and they worked fine. They'll provide all the lubrication your shave requires.

Funny I was talking to a buddy of mine about shaving with water cause all he shaves with is water. He doesn't use a straight though. Seems to work for him, but I wouldn't if I didn't have to.

You could but where's the fun in that?