Gentlemen:

Indeed, no wet shaving product will compensate for inadequate shaving technique with the straight razor or the double edge. Not even a bouquet of angels dancing on your face.

On second thought, forget the shave. I'll take the angels.

You can shave dry and get by. Or use plain water and get by. I had plenty of shaves in the Vietnamese jungles with canteen water and an Army-issue disposable abomination that passed for a razor — and I got by.

A quality shaving cream or soap add extra protection for the skin. After all, you do have sharp steel scraping your skin. They also add some glide for the razor.

The shaving brush not only exfoliates the skin, it also helps to further soften the beard and lift the hairs.

Best of all, lathering with a fragrant soap or cream and a good brush pampers the soul with an immeasurable delight.

Traditional wet shavers have experienced that pleasure for years.

Gentlemen, shave dry or with plain water, if you like, if you enjoy it, or if you see merit in it, but for me, give me a sweet badger brush and a puck of Martin de Candre — and I'll imagine the angels.