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I've been shaving for about 20 years now and tried a million different foams and creams and soaps and oils to make it easier... Oddly enough, I find my best shaves are always done with just a blade and plain ole' water.
Anyone else here a "just plain water" wet shaver?
I'm a cold water shaver - and for the second/third pass often just use water because there's enough slip left from the cream I use. I tried once or twice about a year ago but it didn't look like a possibility.
Are you using a straight razor?
These days I love using different creams and soaps but would still be interested in learning to do it. Can you tell us a bit more about your routine?
Hello, Kenny:
Good topic.
For the entire shave, I use luxurious soap and cream. If toward the end my brush needs a little extra feeding, I oblige.
I use hot water only for the final buffing and touch ups.
Regards,
Obie
I've only been using a straight for a short while now, but I've been a DE user for close to a decade (still use it now also). Here's my routine..Quote:
Originally Posted by Frankenstein
Prep: 2 min splash/soak w/ hot water to soften.
1st Pass: WTG w/ Merkur DE & lots of water (Feather, Wilkinson or Merkur blade). If I have the time I'll occasionally do this part with a straight.
2nd Pass: XTG w/ straight razor.
Finish w/ cool water & Nivea post shave balm.
I find the trick is basically to "re-splash" my face with water every time I rinse the blade.
It works like a charm for me :)
Wow JUST WATER????
I would guess you do not have sensitive skin. I would be bleeding and inflamed for hours. The ONLY time I got away with water only is while shaving in a hot shower. Still was not a great success.
If you do not need the prep, soaps/creams etc.... good on ya!
It would be TORTURE for me:tameshigiri:
You are a braver man than I, though I often do use water only for the rare touch up stroke. I think the key here is to make sure the beard is fully hydrated and stays that way so that the hairs are soft and easy to cut. I find a preshave wash with some type of soap to remove oil (and thus allow the water to soak in) essential.
I had a 'cousin' (long gone) who used to shave with a piece of glass in a cattle trough. Braver than I'll ever be. He was a Suffolk boy. I'm not. True story. This anecdote has been brought to you etc. Actually it is true.
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?
It is possible that Homer La Fong met his end by using only water and steel.
Not being one of those strong, silent types - able to bear great pain with neither whimper nor grimace - I temper my water with large amount of soap-like stuff. It smooths things out greatly and comfortably. Hedonism is where it's at, doncha know.
:beer2:
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by northpaw
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.
I'm guessing this is a feat only a man of a certain skin-type caliber can get away with.Quote:
Originally Posted by sebell
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.
You're talking about a straight, yeah?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
If so, I'm up for it. :mace:
Same for me. With a new sharp fusion blade I sometimes didn't even use water. Short strokes and rinse blade in water.Quote:
Originally Posted by ionthejester
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frankenstein
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
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-