PDA

View Full Version : Stop using shaving cream! Apparently...



jadren0s
12-15-2006, 02:04 AM
Anybody seen this:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker65.html

text below:


The Shaving Cream Racket

by Jeffrey A. Tucker

Save a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.comSave a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.com Email a link to this articleEmail a link to this article Printer-friendly version of this articlePrinter-friendly version of this article View a list of the most popular articles on our siteView a list of the most popular articles on our site

Look, I'm the last guy to trash a consumer product. I'm disinclined to blast the manufacturers of a beloved bathroom gel as deceivers who make money off people's ignorance and perpetuate the problem they are supposedly solving, or charlatans who deliberately hook people on some chemically produced gunk solely for the sake of profiting from repeated uses.

But someone has to say it: shaving cream is a racket.

Why don't people know this? It's just part of the lost knowledge of our time. Wean yourself from it for a week, and you will find that your shaves will be closer, unbloody, and quick. Imagine a full shave in less than a minute, with no cuts, gashes, or discomfort. It is within your grasp.

You won't have the face of a tenderized chicken breast. Your skin will be solid and robust. You will feel the same revulsion I do as you encounter that long row of shaving products at the drug store. You too will feel pity on the seventh eights of the human race that does not understand this simple point.

Why is the world hooked on this stuff? Here's what happens. Early on in a person's life, when whiskers and stubble begin to appear on the skin, the young teen is presented a razor and a can – a can with a squirting top that releases a foam. It is a charming little foam. The child is taught to rub it on and then shave it off.

Oh how funny looking it is when the foam is on us! And how fun to zap it off. We are left with clean and smooth skin. Pure magic. But the magic doesn't last.

It never occurs to this child – so innocent, so naοve, so trusting – that he or she has been hooked into a lifetime of shaving hell. That foam, that sweet looking puff of magic, is in fact the great enemy of a good shave – black magic that relies on perpetuating dependency and ignorance.

The problem is this. Shaving cream does something evil to the skin. It somehow weakens the pores and makes the top layer mushy and unresponsive. The kid comes to believe that somehow the foam is essential to the experience. Without it, surely the razor would leave a trail of blood.

But then strange things start to happen. Red lumps appear. The shaved skin comes to feel sort of strange, oddly sensitive to temperature changes and ever more vulnerable to being sliced and diced.

People think: oh I need a new razor! So they go out and buy ever more fancy brands, with multiple blades, pivoting heads, strange lubricants, and push-out tools to deposit the hair remains in the sink.

They don't consider that it might be the shaving cream that is the source of the trouble.

Why don't people imagine this possibility? Because shaving cream seems so frothy and innocent, the glorious barrier that stands as a guard or shield between your skin and the sharp blade. The cream is our valiant protector, so surely that is not the source of the problem!

In fact, it is not our protector. Shaving cream is destroying your skin, turning it into a whining, pathetic, dependent, beaten, insipid layer of pasty pulp. Your skin has become the fatted calf that has been killed, the lamb slain on the altar, the virgin sacrificed in some ancient cannibalistic ritual of an uncivilized people.

Of course the problems persist – and get worse.

There are many attempts to avoid them along the way. People try aftershave, more and more and more of it. Pretty soon, they are tossing handfuls of the stuff on their skin, putting alcohol all over tenderized and sliced up skin. Then they become attached to that too. But it is not enough. The redness and pain are still there.

There are those who believe in hot lather. They buy fancy machines and rise extra early to warm them up. There are those who make the leap toward electric razors that swirl and buzz around in a creepy sort of way. There are those who believe the key to shaving is time: this site, linked from LRC, actually makes the preposterous claim that a good shave should take 12 minutes.

Stop the insanity!

The core problem is shaving cream itself, and the solution is a radical one: throw it out and never buy it again. It is destroying you and making your skin weak and sickly.

But you say: surely if this were true, it would be common knowledge. Not sure. There are many thing that are true – the state is a parasite on society, private property would solve most social problems, rock music is tedious and stupid – but are nonetheless not generally known or applied. The truth that shaving cream is a racket should be added to this.

Many problems in the world cannot be solved by one person. But this one can. You can begin the process of letting your skin become normal again. You can restore your skin's health. It won't take longer than a week or so. Stick with it and you will see what I mean.

The first stage of freedom uses only a razor (double blade is fine) and a bit of baby oil or mineral oil. While in the shower or soon after you get out, put some oil on the skin area you want to shave. Then shave it. The end.

At first, it won't feel right. You might cut yourself. It will be scary. Your skin might hurt a bit. It might swell up. Why? Because you have turned your skin to mush for decades of shaving cream use. It needs time to recover from this. You need to do this for days.

This is your first day of relief from shaving cream hell. Your skin is recovering. Do the same the next day. And the next. And the next. After 5 days, normalcy will be almost returned.

After a week, you can even give up the oil and use only warm water. You will find that you will be able to shave ever more swiftly and with ever more abandon. A man can shave his whole face in 20 seconds without a single abrasion.

My freedom from shaving cream began twenty years ago after a friend uttered to me the great truth that shaving cream is a racket. Ever since I have exulted in my knowledge and felt deep pity on the rest of the world for languishing in unknowingness.

To my knowledge, this is the first and only time that this great truth has been revealed. May this short article serve as a hinge of history.

Kyle Stoner
12-15-2006, 02:14 AM
There is an enormous discussion somewhere in here about this very article. As I remember several members tried this method and found out the very hard way that it is worthless. I can't imagine shaving against the grain with just water. I am sure I will end up trying it myself someday, though :o

TimmyBoston
12-15-2006, 02:55 AM
There is an enormous discussion somewhere in here about this very article. As I remember several members tried this method and found out the very hard way that it is worthless. I can't imagine shaving against the grain with just water. I am sure I will end up trying it myself someday, though :o

The author has to be talking about only one pass. There is no way you could do 2, let alone 3 or 4 passes in 20 seconds. Still I think it's crap. I'll stick with my Taylor's thank you very much.

Mr.Benn
12-15-2006, 03:43 AM
There is an enormous discussion somewhere in here about this very article. As I remember several members tried this method and found out the very hard way that it is worthless. I can't imagine shaving against the grain with just water. I am sure I will end up trying it myself someday, though :o

Here's the earlier thread discussing the advice from this article (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5506).

Muggles
12-15-2006, 04:24 AM
even if that guy is right and it can be done with just water. i prefer to "waste" my $6 on a tube of Proraso and have a soothing shave that smells good. :cool:

but i can agree that the aerosol can of soap-stuff is a joke.

GeeQue
12-15-2006, 04:37 AM
I used to go to a barber years ago that would tell me that he never used neither creams nor oil to shave. The trick, he would say, was to get the skin used to this process. I never ventured toward that path though. I like my skin "mushy" :biggrin:

jadren0s
12-15-2006, 04:41 AM
Here's the earlier thread discussing the advice from this article (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5506).

Thanks. I hadn't spotted the earlier discussion.
J

zachster
12-15-2006, 08:46 AM
The author never actually says why shaving cream is so evil, he just sort of goes on lambasting it and offering no proof that it is actually ruining one's skin. Not very well written, nor convincing...

jduffy
12-15-2006, 09:19 AM
Plain weird!

This guy's face must be made out of hardened carbon.

I go by the dictum, which BTW was given to me by one of the lads here, "Only shave where you have lather."

I have irritation free shaves because of this, I'm certain. :biggrin:

joelmaners
12-15-2006, 09:43 AM
The bottom line is, shaving is about lubrication. Anythig that allows the razor to slideover your facewill work: baby oil, mineral oil, vegetable oil, spit, you name it.

Lynchmeister
12-15-2006, 02:24 PM
Must be that guy from the video who gave himself a lather-less facial massage with a mach 3 :eek: .

htownmmm
12-15-2006, 02:52 PM
I'm confused-when i was shaving with a multi-bladed monster or the electrical beast, I had razor bumps, ingrown hairs,road rash, PFB for days, and a sore face.

Now that I am shaving with a DE, using various shave creams and shave soaps, my face has never been better. Now if this yahoo is right, i am supposed to give up my creams and my skin will improve.

I give up my creams when they pry the razor from my cold, dead hands.


Marty

javyn
12-15-2006, 09:41 PM
Kinda funny, the vice president of vonMises.org writes an article saying you should quit using shaving cream to save a small amount of money...he should know it is all about utility!

Edcculus
12-15-2006, 11:22 PM
Definately a load of bull. If "shaving cream" which is essentially soap makes your face mushy, then so does regular bath soap.

You are ruining your body by using soap!!! By using it, you are destroying your bodies natural ability to create an odor that is offensive to everyone. Dont ever shower again!!!:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Well thats kind of my point. Its all soap whether it comes in a can, tub or as a cake.

Groomer Monkey
12-16-2006, 06:11 AM
If it was the guy with the Mach 3, then it should be noted that the Mach 3 like most (if not all) cartridge razors have a thin lubricating strip. Whilst not cream or soap per-se, it is not entirely a plain water experience.
I have tried it without soap and just the cartridge and water, and whilst it does work it can leave you a bit sore and itchy.

javyn
12-16-2006, 06:21 AM
I actually e-mailed him a year or so ago asking what kind of razor he used, he said it was a Sensor Excel.

jadren0s
06-19-2007, 02:10 PM
Of course, in claiming that shaving cream is a 'racket', the author misses what clearly is a racket, i.e. the cheap handle/expensive blades campaigns and strategies from the likes of Gillette. I'm no fan of aerosol shaving cream (although I used Noxzema Red or Yellow for years, to reasonable effect, before I discovered Jermyn Street...), but those tins of foam are not very expensive, and do seem to last quite a while... The Cartridge blades, on the other hand...

StGeorge
06-19-2007, 02:34 PM
The author makes the assumption that we are slaves to marketing and are poor helpless individuals incapable of making our own minds up. I have shaved with just oil and got a reasonable shave but he essentially misses the point. We all enjoy the act of shaving and pampering ourselves. In a world that panders to the act of feminine beautification, I think, as men, we are all entitled to spoil ourselves in our own little oasis of calm, something he obviously does not understand.

farace
06-19-2007, 02:53 PM
I have shaved with just oil and got a reasonable shave but he essentially misses the point. We all enjoy the act of shaving and pampering ourselves. In a world that panders to the act of feminine beautification, I think, as men, we are all entitled to spoil ourselves in our own little oasis of calm, something he obviously does not understand.

In this sense, it's not unlike food. You can eat something nutritious but not necessarily appetizing, solely for subsistence. Or you eat something soulful and flavorful that makes you smile. Either way, you have to eat, but one way is coldly efficient while the other can give you pleasure. We generally have to shave every day; which would you prefer, cold efficiency or warm fragrant pleasure? And what would you be doing instead that's so worthwhile that you need to save time for it and shave in twenty seconds?

croweml
06-19-2007, 03:04 PM
The author makes the assumption that we are slaves to marketing and are poor helpless individuals incapable of making our own minds up. I have shaved with just oil and got a reasonable shave but he essentially misses the point. We all enjoy the act of shaving and pampering ourselves. In a world that panders to the act of feminine beautification, I think, as men, we are all entitled to spoil ourselves in our own little oasis of calm, something he obviously does not understand.

+1

mike

doctorsimon
06-19-2007, 03:36 PM
with a cartridge razor that has those fancy lube strips you might just get away with a lot of water only for lubrication. I'd never do this with a DE.

galpman
06-19-2007, 03:39 PM
I'm confused-when i was shaving with a multi-bladed monster or the electrical beast, I had razor bumps, ingrown hairs,road rash, PFB for days, and a sore face.

Now that I am shaving with a DE, using various shave creams and shave soaps, my face has never been better. Now if this yahoo is right, i am supposed to give up my creams and my skin will improve.

I give up my creams when they pry the razor from my cold, dead hands.


Marty

+1 This sounds like Heresy

duna
06-19-2007, 04:32 PM
In this sense, it's not unlike food. You can eat something nutritious but not necessarily appetizing, solely for subsistence. Or you eat something soulful and flavorful that makes you smile. Either way, you have to eat, but one way is coldly efficient while the other can give you pleasure. We generally have to shave every day; which would you prefer, cold efficiency or warm fragrant pleasure? And what would you be doing instead that's so worthwhile that you need to save time for it and shave in twenty seconds?

true. Men can probably survive eating insects or other abominable things. Many did this for years to survive wars, droughts, desert islands, but it's not an enjoyable process.
I sometimes shaved ATG using only water during the military service (there were severe time constraints and not shaving was not an option) , and your skin can actually be accustomized to, given enough time and blood, but it's not advisable. It's a pain.
I've seen Touareg people travelling into the Akakus (part of Sahara) without drinking the whole day (we were constantly drinking and always thirsty)...people can adapt to the harshest conditions, but it's a hard process... why to suffer when soap (even common simple soap, at least, if you for some reason really HATE those big firms selling chemicals) is widely available, and there are natural soap makers?

aspherical
06-19-2007, 04:40 PM
Men can probably survive eating insects or other abominable things. Many did this for years to survive wars, droughts, desert islands,

reality shows, extended visits with in-laws, corporate retreats, appointments at the DMV. . .

shaveme
06-20-2007, 04:37 AM
and i thought smoking was bad for me

Markus
06-20-2007, 05:37 AM
What a terrible text, just a bunch of bla bla without substance.

Kyle76
06-20-2007, 07:45 AM
Shaving cream is evil. That's why I only use soaps! :thumbup:

JohnD
06-20-2007, 08:28 AM
No matter what the subject, there are always going to be people who profess
the exact opposite of what is the current "way of doing things". Sometimes
the opposite view has a point and can be discussed rationally. This one, I believe, is nonsense. Go ahead, scrape your face. I really don't care.

papasmurf
06-20-2007, 08:58 AM
The day I stop using shaving cream is the day I return to a cartridge razor


Nick

Haiku
06-20-2007, 09:00 AM
true. Men can probably survive eating insects or other abominable things. Many did this for years to survive wars, droughts, desert islands, but it's not an enjoyable process.
I sometimes shaved ATG using only water during the military service (there were severe time constraints and not shaving was not an option) , and your skin can actually be accustomized to, given enough time and blood, but it's not advisable. It's a pain.
I've seen Touareg people travelling into the Akakus (part of Sahara) without drinking the whole day (we were constantly drinking and always thirsty)...people can adapt to the harshest conditions, but it's a hard process... why to suffer when soap (even common simple soap, at least, if you for some reason really HATE those big firms selling chemicals) is widely available, and there are natural soap makers?


Well I'm very glad for this perspective: It looks like someone here has some experience with shaving ATG with only water. I always value opinions of people who have direct knowledge of something.

For what it's worth, the old time barber books teach that the first pass is done with lather from soap and the second pass ATG or XTG is done with water only. I couldn't believe it when I read it, but there it is: the old time barbers were taught to use water only when they did more than the once over shave.

Personally, I've never tried water only.

Prince
06-20-2007, 09:06 AM
even if that guy is right and it can be done with just water. i prefer to "waste" my $6 on a tube of Proraso and have a soothing shave that smells good. :cool:

but i can agree that the aerosol can of soap-stuff is a joke.

Right there with you.

moses
06-20-2007, 09:07 AM
The author makes the assumption that we are slaves to marketing and are poor helpless individuals incapable of making our own minds up. I have shaved with just oil and got a reasonable shave but he essentially misses the point. We all enjoy the act of shaving and pampering ourselves. In a world that panders to the act of feminine beautification, I think, as men, we are all entitled to spoil ourselves in our own little oasis of calm, something he obviously does not understand.

This guy's rant is not really aimed at you, or making assumptions about you, though. Because it is based on the vast numbers of people all using cartridges and canned gel. For them, if the shave is just as good with just water, then all those cans of edge gel are a racket. I do think the guy makes a bit much of an assumption that because his face adjusted fine, everyone else's will too.

-Mo

drumana
06-20-2007, 10:52 AM
:glare:

I need to see a video of this guy shaving and what his face looks like afterwards

Hawkeye5
06-20-2007, 03:15 PM
20 seconds to shave???
I'd like to see that. I may even pay admission.
Like to see someone try that with a straight razor.
BS, pure and simple.

Magruder
06-20-2007, 05:16 PM
This is one of the articles I found along the way to discovering B&B, and proper shaving, a year ago.

He's correct that you can shave without shaving cream. I tried it, and it worked okay (I used aloe vera, and I used mineral oil).

He's wrong to say that shaving cream is pointless and worthless. I prefer using a good shave cream (or soap), even though I could do reasonably well without it. It comes down to preferences. As I think someone said earlier, you don't have to shave at all, but that doesn't make the whole shaving industry, if that's the word, a "racket".

reverendyo
06-20-2007, 05:32 PM
I will admit, I found this article a couple of years ago and because I was unhappy with multiple blades and the cost I decided to try it. I actually went several months shaving with just water and while my cartridges lasted a little longer, my complexion suffered. I then decided to make another attempt to find a electric razor and my brother in law suggested the Panasonic wet and dry shaver. I 'googled' wet shaving and found this site. I spent about a couple of nights over the Christmas holiday researching and learning about wet shaving. Wow, and considering this is how I started shaving 30 years ago!
Yes, a racket was discovered, but it was the cartridge razor racket. Now that I am a proud owner of at least 20 vintage razors and 5-6 soaps, several creams and a couple of brushes, I am in pursuit of the perfect shave. I might not ever find it, but I am in pursuit!

wolfemi1
06-20-2007, 06:52 PM
I shaved this way for years with a Sensor Excel. This is how it went down:

I always shaved right after a shower, so the beard was softened.

I did it at most once every other day, to allow my skin time to recover.

The moisturizing strip on the Sensor Excel cartridge is actually quite good, and took most of the burn away.

I did a single with the grain pass - ATG, even a little, left me in HELLISH PAIN. :cursing:


So, basically, this guy is full of crap. I actually got better shaves when I could be bothered to use my Edge gel inna can, I was just usually too rushed/lazy to do so. Plus, I was never really clean shaven. I always had a faint shadow, since the blades didn't cut very close.

I would never ever ever want to go back to that. I would sooner shave with hand soap or butter.

SalvadorMontenegro
06-20-2007, 08:45 PM
I think this guy discounts the fact that people have different types of skin and are different genetically.

My Father gets a near flawless shave with a BIC disposable, a can of gel and about two minutes. He does three passes off of one lather of the gel. I have a friend who shaves with water only. I have another friend who has never washed his face in his life and he's had maybe five pimples in the 15 years I've known him.

If I tried to shave with just water, by day five my face would be one giant cyst from ingrown hairs.

That said: Who's hardcore enough to try it?!?!

moses
06-21-2007, 07:10 AM
That said: Who's hardcore enough to try it?!?!

I'll volunteer. I've always been curious. But not just at the moment. Leaving the country in a few days.

-Mo

PalmettoB
06-21-2007, 07:43 AM
Goo in can=bad for skin

Natural creams and soaps like Mama Bear's (etc.) that help the razor glide AND are good for your skin=pure shave goodness!

Gruder
06-21-2007, 04:51 PM
This thread poses a serious problem for me! Here I am, brand new to the forum, working on a serious case of SCAD, and now this!

Perhaps I should quit while I'm ahead here and head on over to nuthinandblade.com... nah!


Chad

Edcculus
06-21-2007, 06:27 PM
haha. I remember this coming up before. I didnt read through the entire thread, but this guy is missing a huge point. He says that shaving cream "weakens the pores" ect. Shaving cream is beefed up soap. This means regular soap weakens our pores too!!!:eek: No wonder we have to bathe every day. Damn soap. :biggrin: