Thread: Just Water and Steel...

Do you guys who do water-only passes (or water-only shaves) find that softer water makes it easier? The hard stuff around here is the anti-glide!

Originally Posted by northpaw

Do you guys who do water-only passes (or water-only shaves) find that softer water makes it easier? The hard stuff around here is the anti-glide!

Definitely only soft water with my shaves.

I've found that showering before the shave isn't really beneficial to me either... it leaves my skin less "welcoming" of the blade (for lack of a better description).

The trick is to use the brush to apply the water and most important to make 100% sure you continually replace the water as you shave.

I think where guys go a foul here is they apply water which quickly eveaporates or runs off and they are really shaving with a dry face which is a no-no.

Before I started to use a straight razor, I would always use just water with a Mach 3. When they started adding those weird gel bands on the Mach 3s for a smoother shave then it was definitely not necessary for me to use anything else.

I've never had an issue with razor burn or anything like that. I've never had soft water softener or anything like that anywhere I've lived either. However, I've never really gotten the smoothness that I'm getting with a straight razor.

I don't know if I can attribute that to only using water (ie. I can't tell if soap / cream is helping with a closer shave) or if my straight razors are just that much better than a Mach 3. I lean towards equipment over water only, though. The Gracie that Max restored and honed for me could probably do better even if I used just water.

It really comes down to time for me. I will put off shaving a couple days just to find the time to do the full lather and straight shave because it's fun. If I really need to get shaved for something immediate I can always fall back to a quick water only shave. I've only had to do that once since starting to use my straights. Most of the time I plan ahead or just wait until I have time to do it the long ritual.

Originally Posted by sebell

If I were to use just water, I think I'd like to keep my brush
to apply, since I prefer not to get my hands wet during the
shave. Is that how some water-only folks do it?

- Scott

I'm guessing this is a feat only a man of a certain skin-type caliber can get away with.

I'm still trying to get to the point where my follicles don't get bumpy the day after the SR shave.

Hey Sebell, used the 6/8 DOVO hollow I bought from you (my first ever, folks) last night and this morning.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've been saying for a long time water is really all you need to shave with and most just don't believe they can get a great comfortable shave like that. Of course using a nice soap or cream is very luxurious but not required.

I guess for those that shave this way it will have to our little secret eh?

You're talking about a straight, yeah?

If so, I'm up for it.

Originally Posted by ionthejester

Before I started to use a straight razor, I would always use just water with a Mach 3. When they started adding those weird gel bands on the Mach 3s for a smoother shave then it was definitely not necessary for me to use anything else.

Same for me. With a new sharp fusion blade I sometimes didn't even use water. Short strokes and rinse blade in water.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

You're talking about a straight, yeah?

If so, I'm up for it.

Of course a straight. But just remember though in my case I'm saying you can do it with a great result I still wouldn't be throwing away my soaps and creams. Kind of like trading in your Cadillac in favor of a Yugo. There is really no fun in using water but it works no matter how tough your beard is.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course a straight. But just remember though in my case I'm saying you can do it with a great result I still wouldn't be throwing away my soaps and creams. Kind of like trading in your Cadillac in favor of a Yugo. There is really no fun in using water but it works no matter how tough your beard is.

OK. But before I start I need a little more information. Hot or cold water (or either)? Any towels or oils? And any particular stroke work better, e.g. scything/slicing, short buffing or long strokes?

I'm looking forward to trying this.

Since my prep is still in its infancy stage (read darn near total fail) with ONLY water I think my blade would have to be 100x sharper and I would still get da rash.

For 30 years I only used bar soap and a twin bladed razor and did fine-
Using art of shaving cream now.kinda like the stuff myself-