Why the term "wet shaving?"

[jhe888]

I thought I had always been a wet shaver. That is, ever since I first started shaving, I used water and lather to shave my face. I am just young (49 years) enough that cartridge razors have always been available, so I started with Trac IIs or Atras, and used Gillette's cartridge razors until recently. I used canned shaving cream for many years but did switch to a brush and soap a few years ago, and finally started using a DE razor a few months ago.

But my shave now is no wetter than it was in 1978. Why is that the term?

 

[SteveWY]

I recall a thread on this from earlier this year but can't find it in search. The term, wet shaving", is used in general terms to describe wet shaving with a blade and lather rather than dry shaving with an electric. Specifically and interchangeably, I think we use that term to refer to "traditional" shaving using a blade (DE, SE, straight razor), a shaving brush, and lather from a shaving soap or cream (not in a can).

I am just about 5 years older than you and my experience likely is similar (Mach II, cartridges, disposables, foam/gel in a can). Since starting out and discovering "ttraditional shaving" using great products and improved techniques my shaves are MUCH better (closer, comfrortable), my skin is healthier and I actually enjoy my shaves. Stay with the journey and you will see it gets better with time.

 

[Niles]

Your definition is correct. Wet shaving in general is using water during a shave. Basically anything other than using a dry electric shaver is wet shaving.

 

[JeffOlson]

^ That is my thinking, too: "wet shaving" = shaving with water, regardless of what razor is used.

My son's friend, Mack, is a US Marine. He uses straight and DE razors, but he has also learned to shave with them DRY, in case he has no water. (He is off to Afghanistan to do his bit for the war effort and will undoubtedly encounter dry, sandy conditions.)

 

[ZackP]

^ That is my thinking, too: "wet shaving" = shaving with water, regardless of what razor is used.

My son's friend, Mack, is a US Marine. He uses straight and DE razors, but he has also learned to shave with them DRY, in case he has no water. (He is off to Afghanistan to do his bit for the war effort and will undoubtedly encounter dry, sandy conditions.)

I just wanted to say to you thank you for your service! I realize you're not him, but you're the only way I can say it! And, I hope he does okay with shaving dry, that sound deadly! But, of course, he's a Marine

 

[PugslyCat]

Your definition is correct. Wet shaving in general is using water during a shave. Basically anything other than using a dry electric shaver is wet shaving.

Yea, another member of the forum that has gone off about the loose usage of the term wet shaving as opposed to traditional shaving in the past week and has done so in the past. He's right, as are the OP and James.

I try to use terms such as "DE shaving" or "mug and brush shaving", but I'm probably guilty of throwing the term "wet shaving" around as well.

 

[bcraig.waciii]

I just wanted to say to you thank you for your service! I realize you're not him, but you're the only way I can say it! And, I hope he does okay with shaving dry, that sound deadly! But, of course, he's a Marine

+1

 

[joshua1970]

+2