Thread: Just Water and Steel...

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

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

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?

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..

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

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.

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