Just made the jump and am going back to what I learned as a kid. But...even after all these years my beard is still very thin. A full beard on me would take well over two weeks to even look good. So my normal shaving is right after a shower while my face is still wet. No lather, no soap, just water. For a man with a very light beard can I still do the same with a safety razor? Recommended at all? Probably not...but I want to run that by the forum to see if anyone else with a light beard has any experience just wet shaving with no soap/lather. Since I am a noob - this is a legit question. Some of you guys with the 3 O'Clock shadow - it just doesn't happen on my face and it never will. Two days after no shaving and you have to be up close to even notice. Thanks all!
Welcome to TSD. I would recommend some type of soap or cream just to prevent razor burns. If you've been using cartridge razors, then many of them have some type of lubricating strip.
A warm welcome to you from North Texas. You might want to take a look at some of the references contained in my signature line below for discussions of the 30 Day systems and more on shaving hardware and software. You might want to use a shave oil and water to start off with then after a couple of weeks then see if you can go with water alone. With that being said ... Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
Welcome to the shave den. I have a light beard, but I wouldn't shave without any soap. Plus using the soap is part of the fun It feels great on your face, smells great and most importantly let's the razor glide across your face.
Welcome to The Shave Den I have a light beard as well, but I use different soaps and creams for skin protection and because I like them. There's no harm if you want to try shaving with water. I'd try a couple of very light and careful with-the-grain strokes on one cheek after hydrating your whiskers and then finish with your normal razor. If it looks and feels OK an hour later, you might try shaving a larger area next time. Save your chin, upper and lower lip areas, and neck for last, as those are usually the most challenging areas with a DE razor. Your results will be easier to judge if you stick with the same razor and blade combo during this trial. But if you take the bait of traditional wet shaving, I bet you'll find some soaps and/or creams that you will want to use. Have fun and keep us posted on your progress!
to TSD "Norge Dude" Thank you for your service. I hope you enjoy it here, you'll find a lot of knowledgeable and friendly people here..
Welcome to TSD! I too have a light beard, but enjoy the soap too much. I can tell I get some burn if I don't use it, though.
Thanks for the feedback all ye little bearded fellows! Good info to know. Good golly - now I have like 20 tabs open on DE shaving. This is my plan for starting - The Parker 96R Safety Razor Shave Set from Amazon for $80.00, includes the brush, stand and Parker 96R razor. Looks like a good start and as I progress, probably others as well. Would like to buy a good Kent brush as I have one of their hair brushes I bought back in the 1980's in London (still have the brush - it was expensive then and still going strong today!) Quality does matter and this is one of those areas where a guy can see (and feel) the difference...but for now the Kent brush will have to wait. Too expensive for starting off with. Thanks for helping this noob out! Much appreciated!! Maybe by this time next year I'll have gone and tried the safety razor method...
Glad that you landed here at TSD, @Norge Dude ! It is a great community of shavers. I do not recall my Dad ever using anything but water. I can't do that. Thanks for your service. I assume Navy? I was Army. Join us on The Shave of the Day thread. That is the place to post your daily shaves. It is fun, and you will see all kinds of products. And please Mark YOUR location on the TSD map - instructions here.
People can and do water shave with safety razors. But it's generally done while in the shower. Shave soaps and creams are used to keep a layer of water on your face while shaving (this is the key element of a good "wet" shave); so if you keep your face in the shower spray, this becomes a non issue.
I have the Kent BK4 and BK8 brushes and really like them. I purchased mine a couple of years ago at http://www.feelunique.com/
If you like quality products, go ahead and buy a quality brush right off the bat, you'll just end up enjoying the experience more. My guess is that if you got away with water only shaving with a cartridge razor, you should be able to do it with a DE. But, where's the fun in that! Like others have mentioned, half the fun is the soaps and creams. Your face is bound to appreciate it too.
No soap? Just water? You are a brave man...try some soap, there are so many to choose from, and it's half the fun of shaving!
Can't thank you guys enough for the info! The prices on those Kent brushes are very well priced on that site Charlie. I'm going to wait though...still bought a silvertip. Why not get good equipment to start off with, no reason to buy the $200 razors either though. Wow! I guess if you have the cash why not. But is there any value to buying a $200 full SS razor? From what I'm reading a good $30-50 dollar razor will do the job just nicely. And from what I'm reading it's more about the face prep and blade. So now the fun begins... Wish me well. The stuff will be arriving from Amazon throughout the week.
