Who needs lather?

Hello, I just shaved, lathered up stropped and decided to wipe the lather off and try with water only as Ive been tempted to do. Jnat edge, sharp as %^&*. No blood, no irritation, no weepers. I knew lather was overrated! A big YMMV! Ive always thought the lather holds the moisture on the face nothing more. I dont think a soap or cream can stop the irritation cuts or weepers caused by bad shaving technique. How much cushion can a soap or creme have if against a carbon or stainless steel blade anyway?

I think part of the advantage of lather is more of a lubricant for the blade against the skin. Water would provide some lubrication as well, but I don't think as slick as lather. I do some touchups with just water after I rinsed my face.

Many of us use a clear water final pass/touch up pass... gives the closest finish, at least for my face

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

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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.

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You, sir, are a shave master.

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

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Many of us use a clear water final pass/touch up pass... gives the closest finish, at least for my face

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This sums up my thoughts also.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

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

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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.

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.

I shaved today again but i didnt even lather up first as i did yesterday. 2 passes no problem, the touchup on the neck made my skin feel a little tired. Like shaving with a shavette blade. BBS as yesterday, No cuts, weepers or blood, a little raw feeling at the end, no visible irritation. I did do an ice cube face rub though.Next year I will give up lather for Lent.......

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Originally Posted by bill3152

I shaved today again but i didnt even lather up first as i did yesterday. 2 passes no problem, the touchup on the neck made my skin feel a little tired. Like shaving with a shavette blade. BBS as yesterday, No cuts, weepers or blood, a little raw feeling at the end, no visible irritation. I did do an ice cube face rub though.Next year I will give up lather for Lent.......

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I would suggest that a lot of people *could* do that. Just as a lot of people can and do shave with edges we would NOT call shave ready, or the guys shaving on YouTube with swords, machetes, and spoons. Once you get your face as tough as cowhide, you can do almost any shave 'comfortably' (or at least without extreme irritation).

Just remember we are all different and don't go posting videos proclaiming everyone else is doing it wrong :D

Yes sir you are right about that. I only did it to see as I have always been curious. I don't recommend anybody to do anything that they aren't comfortable doing. YMMV is a given always with shaving.

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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.

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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.

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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.

I can do two 3 pass shaves in a day and my skin does not scream at me so maybe a case of rhino hide. I have managed to get a good case of razor burn cleaning up the back of the neck using water only so I don't think I'll try a water only shave. Obviously anyone can give it a go if they wish. Me I'll stay with a good lather.

Bob

My point with lather for me anyway is I havent found a difference between good soaps or creams or williams. They all shave great IMO. My mini experiment showed me its possible to shave without it , but if you read my post, the touchup pass left the skin feeling tired. And for 100 shaves I get out of a puck(give or take) the 7 cents worth of soap does add to the comfort of a shave. Technique and a well honed blade carries the shave the most IMO. A dull blade and bad technique will result in a worse shave even with the "best" soap or cream.

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Originally Posted by bill3152

Hello, I just shaved, lathered up stropped and decided to wipe the lather off and try with water only as Ive been tempted to do. Jnat edge, sharp as %^&*. No blood, no irritation, no weepers. I knew lather was overrated! A big YMMV! Ive always thought the lather holds the moisture on the face nothing more. I dont think a soap or cream can stop the irritation cuts or weepers caused by bad shaving technique. How much cushion can a soap or creme have if against a carbon or stainless steel blade anyway?

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Originally Posted by Obie

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.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

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.

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Originally Posted by bill3152

I shaved today again but i didnt even lather up first as i did yesterday. 2 passes no problem, the touchup on the neck made my skin feel a little tired. Like shaving with a shavette blade. BBS as yesterday, No cuts, weepers or blood, a little raw feeling at the end, no visible irritation. I did do an ice cube face rub though.Next year I will give up lather for Lent.......

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Originally Posted by bill3152

My point with lather for me anyway is I havent found a difference between good soaps or creams or williams. They all shave great IMO. My mini experiment showed me its possible to shave without it , but if you read my post, the touchup pass left the skin feeling tired. And for 100 shaves I get out of a puck(give or take) the 7 cents worth of soap does add to the comfort of a shave. Technique and a well honed blade carries the shave the most IMO. A dull blade and bad technique will result in a worse shave even with the "best" soap or cream.

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I think perhaps you are answering your own supposition,

Although Lather is not Necessary for a shave, neither is water, if you want to get real technical, there are many benefits that you are perhaps glossing over.. Obie and Ryan pointed out a few

Also don't forget which I haven't seen mentioned yet, a proper lathering actually softens the beard, and lifts the beard away from the face, this makes shaving easier which in turn lessens the wear and tear on the edge of the razor..

I have used a clear water last pass/touch up pass for quite sometime, but I have already gained all the benefits from the initial lathering..

As most have said, much of this is YMMV,,,, but there are some actual physical benefits from using a proper lather while shaving too, that should not be overlooked..

I don't do just water but I do like my lather really wet. Probably more water down than most people. But, that's a personal preference.

Luis

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Originally Posted by bill3152

My point with lather for me anyway is I havent found a difference between good soaps or creams or williams. They all shave great IMO. My mini experiment showed me its possible to shave without it , but if you read my post, the touchup pass left the skin feeling tired. And for 100 shaves I get out of a puck(give or take) the 7 cents worth of soap does add to the comfort of a shave. Technique and a well honed blade carries the shave the most IMO. A dull blade and bad technique will result in a worse shave even with the "best" soap or cream.

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I'd have to agree with that except that I have found differences in soaps and creams. The current Williams , although better than plain water, would not be my first choice by a long shot.

Bob

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Many of us use a clear water final pass/touch up pass... gives the closest finish, at least for my face

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I did final touch ups tonight with just water....after 9 months of straight shaving I think I finally realized the full potential of straights. I never thought I could surpass the closeness of my Merkur Slantbar, but I'm happily admitting that I was dead wrong. Thanks to all you guys that provided the idea to use just water.

Just because you can do something and it works doesn't mean you really want to do it every day or at all. I can take my little chain saw and cut down a giant sequoia with it but i wouldn't want to. Even though I can get a very nice comfortable shave with water I'll still take my soaps over that any day of the week.

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I did final touch ups tonight with just water....after 9 months of straight shaving I think I finally realized the full potential of straights. I never thought I could surpass the closeness of my Merkur Slantbar, but I'm happily admitting that I was dead wrong. Thanks to all you guys that provided the idea to use just water.

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Pretty cool ain't it :) seems that it just catches all those little buggers that were hiding out LOL

I'm sure glad someone brought this up because I have been using soaps and creams but skipping the razor. Most of them smell really nice and I am noticing that with each 'shave' I am getting a more voluminous lathering.

Shaved with lather just now, great shave, a little more comfortable same touch up with water only. After 2 days without it, I can see the lather does help with the comfort of the shave and that's a big part of the whole shave experience. So to all that think I was going to start shaving dry, I'm back to where I think I should be.

I know that shaving with just water is possible because I have done it before, however it just doesn't smell as good and all those great soaps and creams. As was said before I do believe the lather adds extra glide and softens the hairs a bit more than plain water.

Ahh.. A "Shave Like Riddick" thread. Doesn't every forum have 'em?

:popcorn: