Thread: How "hot" hot water on a brush?

Originally Posted by BlackGOLD

Great insight fellas, thank you!

Out of curiosity, going to stick a thermometer in the shaving bowl when I get back to the homestead.

While I do love a nice, warm lather... sounds like a little heat is all that's needed for most.

Yes, little heat (just warm) will go a long way.

Yeah, I've been using full hot tap water. Well over 130 deg. Just habit more than anything. I haven't noticed any problems yet.

I guess I'll back off the hot water. It can't hurt.

Here's the skinny... Thäter, according to instructions that traveled with brush, recommends 122° max temperature. The tap spits water at about 128°.

My future shaves will be decidedly "less hot". Thanks again, for everyone's .02

130° F is about as warm as you want to take any biological material (like hair). At 135° the proteins start to unlock from each other and slide around causing things like hair, horn, and wood to begin to come apart.

The water that comes out of my tap is 130°. After one minute of being in my bowl it is at 118°.

To which my wife responded a few minutes ago: "You better not tape a line chart to the mirror showing water temperature vs. shaving experience!" I hate it when she reads my mind....