I have to admit, I didn't believe it until I tried it. Fresh out of the shower last night I dabbed some warm water on my face and shaved with a little 2 blade Bic. It was awesome. I could see exactly what I was doing and there was no mess and the shave was the closest I've ever had. Also, no irritation whatsoever!
I actually think shaving with cream leads you to pressing too hard with the razor and going over the same spots many times because you can't see what you're doing. Thank you, Mr. Tucker.
^I have noticed that as well. I frequently would get cuts when using shaving cream, I have yet to get one without it.
Freedom has always been the only route to progress.
Yeah, after a few days shaving sans cream this definitely is working. No burn, no bumps, and it's surprisingly close. And as another poster said, it really allows you to see what you're doing. Which is great because I have a beard and can trim the edges very well.
I was surfing around a bit about this issue, and it's hilarious seeing the response to the Jeffery's article on high-end shaving enthusiast websites. They're calling him a "fruitcake" and "of course the stuff from the can sucks but he's never tried the GOOD STUFF". That is, the hand-whipped cream from fragrant shaving soaps, with badger brushes and all that jazz. I just can't fathom why someone would want to spend 15-20 minutes shaving. In that amount of time, I'm showered and shaved, teeth are brushed, and I'm dressed.
Libertyandlife:Your all just a bunch of hippies! :P
Haha, my thoughts exactly!
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Jeff Tucker:Actually I suggested oil in the transition but the truth is that you need nothing but a warmed face out of the shower.
Isn't it better to shave with cold water? The hairs stand straighter when they're cold then when they're warm.
To my knowledge, the heat helps weaken the cuticle on the hair, which makes them easier to cut.
boohickey11:I've shaved with a DE razor for years (except in the last year since that look isn't "in"). But I've been shaving again lately and I tried the Tucker method yesterday. I figured it would hurt for a week and then my face would adjust. Instead it actually worked far better than I imagined. It feels different, like you're shaving a bar of wax. Also I didn't wash my face before so that my natural skin oil was still on my face. I use a Merkur Futur with feather blades set on about 4.5.
I hear the feather blades are very sharp. Very cool to see that the method worked for you. I've only dared to use this method with a Gillette Red Tip (1957) and, while it worked, it wasn't a very pleasurable experience. Not to mention, the shaving soap and after shave make my face smell very good, which my bride to be very much enjoys as well. I don't think I could do away with them as a part of my shaving regimen.
I have to admit that the second time I tried it I didn't have as good an experience. I didn't do it right out of the shower but just held a hot wet towel on my skin. I'll keep at it for a couple of weeks to see how well my skin and technique adapt. It would probably be better if I had soft water.
"In a modern democracy, no matter whom you vote for, the government always gets elected" -Christopher Westley
I'm curious what research Tucker has done in order to make some of the statements he has. I also wonder if he even realizes that quality shaving soaps and creams exist.
LogisticEarth: Isn't it better to shave with cold water? The hairs stand straighter when they're cold then when they're warm. To my knowledge, the heat helps weaken the cuticle on the hair, which makes them easier to cut.
I also find it easier to shave right out of the shower, rather then wait and let my skin cool and dry. Then it's much more difficult.
I stopped using shaving cream cold turkey when I read Tucker's article, and haven't looked back. Not only is it quicker and easier, but I get a better shave. Like others have said, I shave right out of the shower and using nothing but a cheap razor and some hot water. I can actually use disposable razors for a longer stretch and I rarely, if ever, cut myself. Used to cut myself all the time when using cream.
Just tried it for the first time: fantastic! I'm never going back to shaving cream. With articles like M. Tucker's, we'll gain the trust of millions worldwide
LewRockwell.Com also just went ahead and said that using a soap or a shampoo is a bad thing.
I wonder how many people here will follow that advice too. ;)
I wouldn't, knowing that here in India, you will smell VERY bad under the heat, the sweating, the dust, the everything without the best possible soap or shampoo you can use, and those who compromise tend to smell so bad, that I can't sit next to them in class.
I use a straight edge blade to shave.
Soaps, creams, deodorant? It's been a year since I've used any of those. Skin is perfect, stubble goes away when I shave.
I'm not a white collar worker so, I use soap and shampoo but I never really have used shaving cream much. I basically shave in the shower without anything.
I like my own scent. It varies with hormonal balance. It seems to get bad when I'm stressed. When I'm calm it is good. It seems to be the best after playing some sport.
15-20 minutes? Out of 24 hours? Not so terrible. How many things in the course of a day do you spend 15-20 minutes on? I get a relaxing experience that wakes me up and keeps me alert for the rest of the day. I get to enjoy the process (its almost like meditation) and the smell. I've taken a 5 minute chore and turned it into a 20 minute pleasure. It seems reasonable.
jmorris84: Is there anyone here who shaves with a straight edge or safety razor that uses Tucker's method? Tucker, if you read this, please respond with what type of razor you are using. I'd be surprised to see that you use either a straight edge or safety razor without using something that allows the blade to smoothly go across your face. I've shaved with my DE on a dry face before but it wasn't a very enjoyable experience. Not to mention, I had to do it with a less aggresive safety razor. No way in hell I would attemp such a thing with my Merkur.
Is there anyone here who shaves with a straight edge or safety razor that uses Tucker's method?
Tucker, if you read this, please respond with what type of razor you are using. I'd be surprised to see that you use either a straight edge or safety razor without using something that allows the blade to smoothly go across your face. I've shaved with my DE on a dry face before but it wasn't a very enjoyable experience. Not to mention, I had to do it with a less aggresive safety razor. No way in hell I would attemp such a thing with my Merkur.
For the record, it has been roughly 2 straight months now where I have been shaving with my Merkur Progress with no shaving soap. I go straight to the face with the blade right out of the shower and am able to shave my face in about 5 minutes.
My wife bought me a beautiful straight razor for Christmas. I'm debating to use this for the first time without any soap.
At any rate, Tucker was right; at least in my experience with the soapless method. :)
What about the daily soap+shower racket? I used to go for days without a shower, then I started doing it daily (including washing hair) when I had a job years ago, and now I can't go without a shower before bed. I've become very sensitive to oily skin and go crazy feeling it in bed. I believe that two things have happened: my body has increased oil production to offset the increased shower frequency, and I have become more sensitive to body oil. Both of these seem unnecessary, the result of interfering with my body's processes, but I don't know how to correct them. I've been trying to use very little soap, so that it's mostly just a hot water shower.
I have noticed that since I moved I've washed my hair much less often, now every several weeks instead of weekly.