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I've been reading thru this forum for a while now and was wondering why shaving with a straight razor usually involves hot water, hot towels etc. Surely from a purely scientific standpoint cold water would help close the pores and tighten the skin. Thanks for any opinions.
yes thats why we use cold water as an after shave treatment. also if people have sensitive skin using cold water for the whole process helps them greatly
Not a bad idea ......... here is a thread on the topic.
Well - I have no idea about scientifically but I do both. In the summer I'll use a mentholated cream and cold water - oh yeah!! Keeps me cool for an hour at min :).
Winter... scuttle and warm suds - like a warm cuddle from your mother at the front door after playing in the snow all day lol.
Either way though - after the shave is done, I use a splash of cold water before applying the aftershave. Fresh :).
Pores don't change.
Hot water feels better and once something becomes institutionalized you know how hard it is to change it.
I use cold water simply because my brush keeps falling apart in hot water (time for a different brush?):idea:
No scientist here, but hot irritates me. Cold doesn't. Try an ice cube face rub after. Aaaah! Lol. I took a walk on a really cold day after shaving and that cold air felt good, so I tried it, works great, not for everybody though.YMMV as always.
Horses for courses. I tried it for a while and found I was getting a better shave with Hot, maybe its my skin, maybe its the hair type or maybe the lather. Who knows.
I got a "D" in science,,,I like my shaves hot & my towels steaming.
What has science got to do with the act of shaving? I do what ever works for me and that is cold water shaving at present. There is no one true way to do it.
Bob
I use hot water (no towels) mainly because I shave at night (around 9/10 pm) and cold water gets really cold at that time (or at least seems to do so)... and I don't like it:nono:
I've been alternating between hot, lukewarm and cold water shaves, lately. Somehow, I get the feeling that a cold water shave requires a sharper blade, which is scientifically nonsense as a hair assumes skin temperature which does not vary a lot. I really like the skin feel after a cold water shave, and I really like warm water on my face. And when my girlfriend is taking a shower, I use cold water so that she doesn't get angry with me :angel:
To end the rambling with something sensible: try it.
I am new to straight razor having, but have been wet shaving for a while. I have discovered for me cold shavingis the only way to go. I enjoy a hot shave, but the hot water causes my skin irritation, so now I only cold shave.
I started with hot water, towels, etc but my face didn't like it. Went cold and most issues disappeared and never looked back since. Then again works for me and sucks for others who swear that hot is the only way for them. The science of individuality. You just don't know till you try if its for you.