Thread: Cold water Shaving

My last couple of shaves with hot water were certainly less than what should be expected from a straight razor shave. The first time I used the razor I honed and it was not the most pleasant shave one could have, my face was red and sore afterwards. Thank that my razor just wasn't sharp enough u used the professionally honed razor that I had, to my surprise this shave was even worse than my first one, I assume it was because I had a few bumps on my face and it was still a bit tender from the first shave. Not wanting to give up on straight razor shaving I rehoned my razor and got it as sharp as I could and went to go shave one more time. This time however, I used cold water instead of hot water and the results were completely different than my first two shaves. My face felt fine afterwards and the shave was pretty close. I think know that from this day forward I will shave with cold water.

I think cold water shaving is, and will remain, the preference of a minority.

Personally, it is not for me as I much rather have the warm comfort of a nicely prepped face and rich warm lather.
May have to do with the cold climate I grew up in where people would rather reach for a warm scuttle than a few ice-cubes in the morning.

Having said that; there was never only one way of "correct" shaving, and any variation from it would be "wrong".
That's the beauty of wet-shaving, you experiment and find what works best for you.

I found however that what may have worked at one time in the past may not that well work, or may no longer be needed later on.
Pre-shave creams are one example. I hardly use them any more.

Your experience with warm-water shaves might be similar.

Use whatever works best for you, but from time to time come back to the conventional warm-water technique again to see whether it works now better.




B

I noticed a dramatic improvement when I crossed over to the cold side, and have not been temped back. I even modified my "Navy Shower" routine to warm start and cold - aka "James Bond" finish.
For the shave I use cool water from the tap, finish with a hot water towell to clear the lather and then the big finish, an ice water washcloth press.

But what matters is what works for you...

Smooth Shaving
.

Originally Posted by beluga

Use whatever works best for you, but from time to time come back to the conventional warm-water technique again to see whether it works now better.B

Why in the world would I want to revisit a shaving scenario that left me wishing for either a doctor or a stiff drink when I know I had finally reached the closest thing to Nirvana a mortal can get. I certainly didn't start my shaving life by stating that I would only shave with cold water. That's for the dark ages of history when hot water was either a luxury or unheard of.

My path to the comfort of cold water shaving was the aging process and the evolvement of sensitivity to certain product used extensively in shaving soaps/creams and the unwished for mild case of Rosacea. All those situations were reduced and/or eliminated, including irritation, by switching to cold water shaving. ANd I need to say, ice cold water isn't necessary for a cold water shave. Tap cold is more than sufficient. Refrigerator cold is good but a little severe. I hate cold weather as much as most people but I found I tolerated cold water better in the winter than other seasons.

And by the way, "conventional warm-water technique" is a very irritating statement. Nowhere in life have I ever run into the "conventional" way of doing things. In all cases it's the way you, for example, tie your shoes as compared to the way I tie my shoes (and I only wear loafers).

I have been shaving for over 40 years and the vast majority of that using hot water. Hot water because everyone used hot water and that was the way it was supposed to be. Started using straight razors a few years ago and joined this forum to help me learn how. Stayed with using hot water and even got a nice double walled scuttle to keep the lather warm. Never used pre shave prepping before either and tried those too. Gave up on the prepping first as it did not make any difference to my shaves and then tried cold water after it had been written about on here. Cold water seemed to help and eliminated the need for the scuttle and rigamarola with using it plus saved on making hot water. I live in a climate where our winters are fairly long and given to stretches of -30C or more but still used cold water. Sorry for the long winded way of saying you use whatever works for you personally be it the conventional/accepted way or not. Getting a comfortable and decently close is the main thing.

Bob

Hot or cold is personal preference. Unfortunately for some of us even if we wanted to use hot water our skin disagrees with our preference and so we use cold water instead and get a better shave and no more irritation. personally I am willing to go cold for the comfort of not having my neck look like I shaved with sand paper.

Congratulations on finding something that works well for you. I also enjoy cool water shaving.

I've tried cold water once (tap water was around +7 degrees) and the shave and the sensation was not very good. I'll keep the hot water.

Originally Posted by cariocarj01

I've tried cold water once (tap water was around +7 degrees) and the shave and the sensation was not very good. I'll keep the hot water.

As an experiment draw a quart of tap water. Let it come to room temperature and try that as a tepid water shave to compare to a hot water shave.

I'm OK with either but have shaved mostly with cold water for the last couple years. As I've said before, in the hotter months of the year I've been known to add ice to the sink and shave with REALLY cold water. It's quite nice actually.