Thread: Who needs lather?

Like I've always said, water is all you ever need for a shave. The trick is keeping it on cause it dries fast.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Like I've always said, water is all you ever need for a shave. The trick is keeping it on cause it dries fast.

You, sir, are a shave master.

Thanks for the insight, but I'll keep my lather.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Thanks for the insight, but I'll keep my lather.

Same here. But, I do find myself doing minor finishing touch ups with just water.

hmmm. That would make for way less shopping and less stuff in the bathroom and a shorter zen period. I also do a water touchup but like the journey as well. An interesting experiment though. Perhaps I may try it as well.

But the soaps and creams smell so good!

I think that if your technique is mastered, than just water should provide enough lubrication to go through flawlessly, which you have proven.

I think a soap or cream can hide some technique errors. But Im sure most of us have experienced nicks, weepers and irritation with soap and creams as well.

I think quality soaps and creams do provide other benefits, like moisturization.

So can you shave with just water? Obviously, because you did it! I am probably gonna try, as I think it could be a good measure of technique. But I think I will stick with my creams and soaps. If for nothing else, I like the scents!!!!

I tried some touch ups with just water as I had already rinsed my brush and I wound up doing a lot more. Not a full pass but it did seem to work fine and I got some smooth out of it. I was kind of surprised how smooth the razor went over my skin. There wasn't much hair left though.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Like I've always said, water is all you ever need for a shave. The trick is keeping it on cause it dries fast.

Originally Posted by EdG

I think that if your technique is mastered, than just water should provide enough lubrication to go through flawlessly, which you have proven.

We've been down this road before.

A few years back someone started a quick fad about shaving with water only, and pretty soon wild assertions were flying around that if you couldn't pull off the water only shave that your razor wasn't truly shave ready and your technique was below that of a novice. And of course everyone was trying it and I'm sure there was some lying going on because no one would admit that it was a less than stellar experience. Which is funny, because the fad disappeared very quickly.

Yes, I've done water only touch ups, and even dry touch ups too, with good success but a full shave? No thank you. And the whole idea that anyone can do it under the right circumstances is rubbish. I know if I tried it (again) my sensitive skin would be screaming. It's fine for those with skin like a rhino, others beware.