Thread: Rinsing with ICE cold water....

I have not even had my first SR shave yet as I am waiting for my set to arrive. I just remembered something I read in a novel not to long ago and wanted to see if anyone else had heard of it. In the novel, the main character is shaving and he mentions that his Grandfather had told him to always rinse his blade with ice cold water and never use hot water. He said the ice water constricts the blade slightly and allowed for a closer shave.

Does anyone follow this rule? I have always found warm - hot water more comfortable on the face.

For the last few months I've adopted exclusively the cold water prep and post shave regimen outlined in another thread. I think Jimmy was the one who started that thread. I like it and will continue to use this approach. It's invigorating and definitely braces the skin prior to shaving.

I've been rinsing my blade between passes with cold water as well. I notice no difference whatsoever or improvement of any kind in shave closeness.

Chris L

I prep and shave with cold water only. Oddly enough I rinse my face with hot water following the shave. The pamphlet that started all of this recommended a hot towel but I am too lazy to do that.

As for the blade I do run hot water on the blade figuring the 'hot knife through butter' principle applies. Truth be told when I've forgotten to switch to hot and done it with cold water I've found no noticeable difference.

I always used cold water to stop the bleeding and tighter the skin AFTER rincing first with warm water. I also needed to refresh my skin which was getting irritated by the multi-blades.

Gilles

I found early on that rinsing the blade at the end in as hot water as is available helps it to dry out (or at least, reduces water spots and the like). I was converted to the cold water shave by the aforementioned pamphlet as well, though. No intention of changing at the moment, very happy with the results.

I'm another who changed his routine to Cold. After years of hot water and hot towels, cold, for me is closer, easier, and with far less irritation. But to answer your question, I've never noticed any closer-ness from rinsing the blade in Hot or Cold water- Hot shave or Ice shave. I do although enjoy not burning my face from heating up the blade with hot water and having the spine and the flat of the hot blade burn me on steep passes.

Yup. And I love to rub my body all over with icecubes. Wouldn't want to lose the temper in my skin.



NOT. I gotta confess that I think all you cold water shavers are totally nuts. I, being an unapologetic hedonist, associate warm (good) with comfort and cold (bad) with shivers. I use a refrigerator for keeping food from spoiling, but don't shave there. So do you guys lather with cold water too? Are you worried about freezing the bubbles? Although, the ice should increase slickness. Hmmm... We could call it skaving.

Bruce: You're bringing shame upon us Minnesotans. You should not only be shaving with ice cold water, you should be singing the praises of taking mid-winter plunges through ice holes in any lake of your choice.

I'm surprised at you.

Chris L

Sounds strange but interesting; will definitely have to try the prep with cold water!

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Bruce: You're bringing shame upon us Minnesotans. You should not only be shaving with ice cold water, you should be singing the praises of taking mid-winter plunges through ice holes in any lake of your choice.

I'm surprised at you.

Chris L

Let me qualify my response. I only bathe in ice water; I use a warm water shave in effect to soften some of the icicles that form on my skin upon breaking the ic-over on the bathing hole when I emerge from my winter's bath.

The secret is out now that we of the northern climes never bathe in the summer - the water being much too warm for comfort during those months when one can see the sun.