Absolutley necessary?

**climberslacker** · 01-20-2009, 06:58 PM

Are after shave balms absolutly necessary? I am just about to start with a straight razor, and was wondering if it is absolutly imperitive that I get some before I start? thanks!!

**RichGem** · 01-20-2009, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by climberslacker

Are after shave balms absolutly necessary? I am just about to start with a straight razor, and was wondering if it is absolutly imperitive that I get some before I start? thanks!!

no, but defintely helpful for moisturizing and to restore your skin's pH (esp. the English creams tend to be a bit basic, IIRC). but, for now, a good cold water splash and a decent hand cream should work fine. but, and ASB will address the above issues plus any irritation better without leaving you greasy.

edit: btw, one of the best (imho) asbs is Nivea Sensitive for Men which is easily available at most local drugstores (and inexpensively).

**Kouros** · 01-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Balm is a MUST in the cold weather.

**PaulX608** · 01-20-2009, 07:36 PM

All I've ever used is cold water. I think I may have tried aftershave once or twice as a teen, but never liked it. Guess I must be armor clad or something.

**scp1976** · 01-20-2009, 07:40 PM

If you don't want to shell out money for aftershave or worred about the smell you could always try witch hazel it's very good for the skin or if you go to target Every man Jack makes a nice post shave skin lotion

**MikeLip** · 01-21-2009, 09:41 AM

No. Whether you need or want it or not is an individual thing. Whether you use it and what you use is entirely up to you.

**BigRich** · 01-21-2009, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by climberslacker

Are after shave balms absolutly necessary? I am just about to start with a straight razor, and was wondering if it is absolutly imperitive that I get some before I start? thanks!!

Is an aftershave product (balm or splash) necessary for shaving? Not really. Is it a REALLY good idea to have it on hand if you're going to start shaving with a straight razor? In my opinion...OH YEAH.

You can get a little "Edward Scissorhands" on yourself when you first start using a straight and a good a/s product can do a lot of good on the back end.

But that's just my two cents...