Blade, Beard, Water, Nothing Else

[Squash]

I did it. I shaved without any cream or soap - just my DE blade, my face, and water. I know reactions to this will be varied - some of you having done it yourselves, and some of you saying OMG - but it went surprisingly well.

I wouldn't do it on a regular basis because the blade doesn't glide as well, but in a pinch you can get a close, comfortable shave with water alone.

What are your experiences, and who else is willing to give it a try?

[HokieGeek]

My BIL shaves this way. DE and water, c'est tout. I think he's insane.

For me, the best change in my quality of life as far as shaving is concerned has been the lathering. Shaving suddenly became an enjoyable process and it's mostly due to applying and enjoying lather. Proraso, with its menthol content, blew my mind! And all of those wonderful scents! .... Now I want to go shave...

[AZShaver]

This is nothing new to those of us who have served in the ground forces. Just add a steel pot.

[dpmtherrien]

I've done it before, usually when I'm in a real hurry. It works, but I don't think the burn is worth it. Of course that's IMHO, and YMMV.

[Uncle Erik]

I've tried, but it takes too long. You have to go slow and constantly reapply water. It's faster to lather up.

[luvmysuper]

I've said it before...
You could probably survive for quite a while on a diet of earthworms, but why would you want to when Filet Mignon is readily available?

In a pinch, if nothing was available, you might do it.

I wouldn't. If all I had available was water, I'd grow a beard.

The soap / cream and brush is what is so great about the whole wetshaving process.

[HokieGeek]

The soap / cream and brush is what is so great about the whole wetshaving process.

I couldn't agree more!

[SaintClarence27]

I've said it before...
You could probably survive for quite a while on a diet of earthworms, but why would you want to when Filet Mignon is readily available?

In a pinch, if nothing was available, you might do it.

I wouldn't. If all I had available was water, I'd grow a beard.

The soap / cream and brush is what is so great about the whole wetshaving process.

This. Especially the filet part.

Mmmm... steak.

[Scott0079]

if all i had available was water, i'd grow a beard.

+100

[pauls51]

I've said it before...
You could probably survive for quite a while on a diet of earthworms, but why would you want to when Filet Mignon is readily available?

That sums it up quite nicely

[talibeard]

Tried it while camping a few times (forgot to bring soap with me; never happened again) but the blade is gone long before the (mediocre at best) shave is finished. What I save up on soap I spend 5 times on blades.

Used an ordinary bar of soap afterwards and it almost felt like shave heaven...

[mmadha]

One of the main reasons I enjoy wet shaving so much is that it is stimulating to all five senses. In my opinion, some of the most enjoyable parts of a wet shave are the smell of lather and the feeling a warm and luxurious lather on my face. However, if all you have is water I can understand shaving with a minimalist approach.

[Oly]

I tried it once, never again if I can help it. Without lather, my blade jumps around too much.

[michiganlover]

but in a pinch you can get a close, comfortable shave with water alone.

I can't imagine ever being in a situation, where I needed to shave, had access to a bathroom, but somehow didn't have any kind of soap on hand. Any sort of slick substance would be better than just water alone!!

So NO, I have no intention of ever trying this!!

My best friend shaves everyday with just water, and a disposable single blade Bic. He was staying at my house, so I watched him shave. It looked really painful, and he got a really red, irritated, razor burned face as a result!! NO WAY!!

[Seraphim]

I can't imagine ever being in a situation, where I needed to shave, had access to a bathroom, but somehow didn't have any kind of soap on hand. Any sort of slick substance would be better than just water alone!!

So NO, I have no intention of ever trying this!!

My best friend shaves everyday with just water, and a disposable single blade Bic. He was staying at my house, so I watched him shave. It looked really painful, and he got a really red, irritated, razor burned face as a result!! NO WAY!!

Invite him over again and shoot a video

[Go West Young Man]

Invite him over again and shoot a video

I'm not sure how you could phrase that invitation without losing your friend forever!

[steveclarkus]

I used only water for several months and it works surprisingly well. The soaps and creams soften your skin probably more than it was designed to be. It takes a week or so to be able to shave comfortably with water but your skin will adapt and shaving that way becomes quite comfortable. It also allowed me to dry shave without any ill effect when I went camping.

The reason I did this was that canned shaving creams or whatever is in those cans contain stuff that you probably shouldn't be rubbing on your face.

I did this while I was using cart razors and I don't know if I would have been too keen on the expreiment with a DE.

Getting back into good soaps and brushes is actually what led me back to the DE and I rather like my soft and smooth face now.

[DavyRay]

I could eat supper standing on one foot, too. The bragging rights would not be worth the lousy experience. Of course, I could always get a bumper sticker, to improve the value of the bragging rights. In your case the bumper sticker is:

I Shave With Just Water and a DE Razor
Can You?

[GDCarrington]

I did it. I shaved without any cream or soap - just my DE blade, my face, and water. I know reactions to this will be varied - some of you having done it yourselves, and some of you saying OMG - but it went surprisingly well.

I wouldn't do it on a regular basis because the blade doesn't glide as well, but in a pinch you can get a close, comfortable shave with water alone.

What are your experiences, and who else is willing to give it a try?

Why would you want to?

[DE Shaver]

I'm not sure how you could phrase that invitation without losing your friend forever!

Well, if they are a really good friend, you won't lose them.