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Post by kfralin on Oct 25, 2018 21:09:13 GMT -6
This is not intended to cause controversy but I just wanted to share a few thoughts on shaving creams/soaps. What started this thought process was when I recently introduced a colleague to the world of traditional shaving. I gifted him a GEM Clogpruf and a few blades. I suggested that he purchase a cheap brush and a puck of soap. He asked why would he do that as he generally shaves with just warm water. This started me thinking if I really needed shaving cream or was it just a part of my routine. Let me say that I am not opposed to buying creams and soaps and I find the various scents very pleasing. Some of the better products actually do nice things for my skin where as others merely provide a slick surface for the razor to glide along my face and neck. I decided to give this warm water only method a go. To my surprise, I did not notice a tremendous difference in the quality of the shave in terms of closeness or comfort. I must state that I do not have overly sensitive skin nor is my beard excessively dense. I would assume that some people may find that a lack of a barrier between blade and skin may cause irritation. I am not recommending that anyone give up using shaving soap or cream or that the resulting shave is superior in any way. I was merely curious if others have tried shaving with just water (I am a fan of very hot water for the purpose of shaving but I assume this is not everyone's preferred method). If you have tried shaving without lather, what did you think of the results and did your skin feel like you had made an unwise decision? Edited for Syntax, as well as ease of reading. -OS was here
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Oct 25, 2018 22:16:16 GMT -6
This does bring up an interesting thought. I was always under the impression that the soap was supposed in assisting the shave by standing up the hair. As well as also providing a bit of a cushion on the skin. I dont think that it exactly has to be soaps, as men 1000 years ago were shaving, and I am fairly certain they didnt either know how, nor have the time and patience to triple mill a hard soap, and have it smell like wild roses.
I believe that they would have used some sort of animal fat, be it Venison, Bison, Antelope, etc, and mixed it with a bit of pot ash, or some other type of binder to hold the fat together. Of course, I have no way to prove this, but I suspect that is what probably happened.
I would love to hear others opinion about this very good topic.
To the OP, what is your thought? Does one need a shave soap to shave, or is it merely a luxary that we tell ourselves that we need? If nothing else, at least the scents are pleasing, and after all, dang it, it is fun to make lather with a brush and a soap!
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Post by pisces0 on Oct 26, 2018 4:30:10 GMT -6
I've tried it.
It's a bit rough and there's very little slickness, but using just water is feasible I suppose.
Just too many good soaps out there to NOT use them.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 6:38:47 GMT -6
This does bring up an interesting thought. I was always under the impression that the soap was supposed in assisting the shave by standing up the hair. As well as also providing a bit of a cushion on the skin. I dont think that it exactly has to be soaps, as men 1000 years ago were shaving, and I am fairly certain they didnt either know how, nor have the time and patience to triple mill a hard soap, and have it smell like wild roses. I believe that they would have used some sort of animal fat, be it Venison, Bison, Antelope, etc, and mixed it with a bit of pot ash, or some other type of binder to hold the fat together. Of course, I have no way to prove this, but I suspect that is what probably happened. I would love to hear others opinion about this very good topic. To the OP, what is your thought? Does one need a shave soap to shave, or is it merely a luxary that we tell ourselves that we need? If nothing else, at least the scents are pleasing, and after all, dang it, it is fun to make lather with a brush and a soap! My experience is that it is more of a luxury than a real need. That said, I prefer the experience with a nice aromatic lather and the soothing feel of a soft brush on my face. I would also add that this applies to a low growth (2 days max in my case). I tried sans lather on a little more beard and the pulling was too uncomfortable. I suspect that greater prep time allowing the growth to fully saturate might have worked as well.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 6:49:40 GMT -6
I've tried it. It's a bit rough and there's very little slickness, but using just water is feasible I suppose. Just too many good soaps out there to NOT use them. I totally agree. While this method seems to actually work for me without issue, the greatest appeal to traditional shaving methods is the element of relaxation and taking back a little time from our busy lives. There are days when my morning shave is just a necasssary step to prepare for work and the few minutes saved by not lathering up come in handy.
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Oct 26, 2018 7:15:06 GMT -6
Now that I think about it, what if you didn't use warm water, but hot water? Wonder if that would make a difference.
I also wonder if the prep would make as big of a deal as if you didn't prep . Great thoughts for sure.
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Oct 26, 2018 7:46:28 GMT -6
I don't think I would enjoy the experience and shaving would once again become a hated chore. I never want to return to those days.
Lather does 3 things that I can think of. It removes oils from whiskers so that the whisker allows water in to soften it for the blade, making for a more comfortable shave. It also is a lubricant (again comfort) and carries away the cut-offs. Basically it makes for a more enjoyable shave. Geez, I hated shaving when I was using other methods so I'll stick to lathering.
I have a friend who blade shaves dry. phooey on that!
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 7:53:58 GMT -6
Now that I think about it, what if you didn't use warm water, but hot water? Wonder if that would make a difference. I also wonder if the prep would make as big of a deal as if you didn't prep . Great thoughts for sure. I recall reading a quote from a master barber about letting lather sit for several minutes as the lather holds the water on the beard and allows the hair to become more saturated and easier to cut. It sounded like the saturation of beard was the key element. That said, I don’t know of any barbers that don’t use some type of lather. I do find that hot versus warm water works best for me (with or without lather). I don’t know if there is science behind this or just my preference.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 8:00:14 GMT -6
I don't think I would enjoy the experience and shaving would once again become a hated chore. I never want to return to those days. Lather does 3 things that I can think of. It removes oils from whiskers so that the whisker allows water in to soften it for the blade, making for a more comfortable shave. It also is a lubricant (again comfort) and carries away the cut-offs. Basically it makes for a more enjoyable shave. Geez, I hated shaving when I was using other methods so I'll stick to lathering. I have a friend who blade shaves dry. phooey on that! Shaving as a relaxing moment of luxury far exceeds shaving as a needed chore. Most days I can easily spare the 10-15 minutes it takes me to have a proper shave.
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Oct 26, 2018 8:20:56 GMT -6
Glad you mentioned that last point. I have purposefully taken later start days at work, just so I can take my time on my shaves this week. If nothing else, at least I get a bit of pampering in.
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Post by wchnu on Oct 26, 2018 17:02:24 GMT -6
It seems that most people that shave with water do not have thick beards at all. I know it will work. most of the time dry will work actually. You can also drive on rims drive screws in with a hammer. Most of us here want to enjoy the shaves. I would guess that your fiend down not care about that. The shave is certainty more comfortable with some kind of cream or soap I would say.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 17:40:14 GMT -6
It seems that most people that shave with water do not have thick beards at all. I know it will work. most of the time dry will work actually. You can also drive on rims drive screws in with a hammer. Most of us here want to enjoy the shaves. I would guess that your fiend down not care about that. The shave is certainty more comfortable with some kind of cream or soap I would say. I certainly agree that a shave with a nice lather is far more enjoyable. I can’t honestly say it is far more comfortable for me (given a modest growth and my fairly fine facial hair). Often after a first pass with lather I will do my touch ups or buffing strokes without reapplying lather. It doesn’t cause any irritation or discomfort. I would certainly recommend to anyone that they stick with what works well for them.
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Oct 26, 2018 18:25:24 GMT -6
Now that I think about it, what if you didn't use warm water, but hot water? Wonder if that would make a difference. I also wonder if the prep would make as big of a deal as if you didn't prep . Great thoughts for sure. I recall reading a quote from a master barber about letting lather sit for several minutes as the lather holds the water on the beard and allows the hair to become more saturated and easier to cut. It sounded like the saturation of beard was the key element. That said, I don’t know of any barbers that don’t use some type of lather. I do find that hot versus warm water works best for me (with or without lather). I don’t know if there is science behind this or just my preference. I don't really buy into the importance of saturating the hairs to make it easier for the blade to cut. I think the key is moisturizing the skin. Some people may be able to shave dry or with just water because their skin is oily. I know now that I'm older I have bouts of very dry skin sometimes and trying to shave against dry skin can be miserable as the blade will catch on the skin. Moisturizing the skin changes everything, the blade will sail across and comfortably slice the hairs off as well as exfoliate the dead skin. So prep is a big deal for me.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 19:18:24 GMT -6
I recall reading a quote from a master barber about letting lather sit for several minutes as the lather holds the water on the beard and allows the hair to become more saturated and easier to cut. It sounded like the saturation of beard was the key element. That said, I don’t know of any barbers that don’t use some type of lather. I do find that hot versus warm water works best for me (with or without lather). I don’t know if there is science behind this or just my preference. I don't really buy into the importance of saturating the hairs to make it easier for the blade to cut. I think the key is moisturizing the skin. Some people may be able to shave dry or with just water because their skin is oily. I know now that I'm older I have bouts of very dry skin sometimes and trying to shave against dry skin can be miserable as the blade will catch on the skin. Moisturizing the skin changes everything, the blade will sail across and comfortably slice the hairs off as well as exfoliate the dead skin. So prep is a big deal for me. That is a great point. I do have naturally oily/moist skin. My face feels pretty slick after a nice hot shower before any additional product. I concur that prep is very critical. I do feel that moisture (and perhaps heat) aid in softening the keratin.
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Post by kfralin on Oct 26, 2018 19:26:50 GMT -6
Found this interesting read from yesteryear (1957):
goo.gl/FzWnzi
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