Hot or Cold Shave?

I've thumbed through a PDF book on the forums form the early 20th century on shaving, and it mentions cold water shaves, as hot water softens the hair which in turn can make a more difficult shave. Then on the other hand, cold shaves tend to make the razor jump. Just opening this one up to debate, Hot or Cold?

Both! Hot shower with initial lather and WTG done warm, every consecutive pass done cold. No skipping...strikes me as a little bit effeminate;)


Mick

It has been discussed a few times before. I've tried it several times, and still prefer warm prep and shave. There are lots of people though that like the cold water shave.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...orst-ever.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...ter-shave.html

All the cold water shaves I've ever done resulted in my face looking like a rare rib roast, consequently they were only done out of necessity. I say warm water all the way, though I am curious about MickR's method of starting w/ hot water and then using cold on subsequent passes

Definitely something to try if nothing else.

It's just one of those things some like and most don't. For the ultimate, shave with just cold water and no soap. We have a big thread on that.

i go with luke warm... or tepid if i'm feeling frisky. :)

I do both. My first pass is a well lathered WTG, and 2nd xtg pass is with cold water.

If I go for my all out BBS, I'll lather up for the xtg as well, but then do cold water for ATG, with maybe a dab of lather on the chin or hollows in the neck.

Cold water all the way. I do a hot shower before normally, while soaking my brush in cold water and my puck, but then dry completly and build lather with cold water. Nothing like it when that cold water lather first hits the face. Do three passes that way.

I used to use hot water thinking it softened the beard, but the hot water just irritated my skin. I get better shaves from cold water; however, I will admit that I don't think cold water makes shaving hair any easier.

Since reading that book and going cold I haven't looked back. I follow that book to the letter including the lightweight prep. The only variation being that I do sometimes do ATG on a second pass but not all of the time.

I think it depends on the individuals whiskers and skin. If we were all shaving the same face and what have you we could all probably do everything alike and agree on it. That ain't the way it is though. :)

My preference tends to vary by season. When it is cold out, I like the feel of the warm lather. When it is too darn hot outside the cold shave feels quite nice. However, I cannot tell much of a difference in the quality of the shave. One way or the other just feels better at a given time of the year.

I tried the cold water shave and do think it works better. Your hairs goosebump up a little and it's easier to knock 'em down. It's a good theory, anyway, or a good mental image.

The cold water is much easier on my skin, too. Come summer I'll keep my cucumber/aloe witchazel in the fridge for that extra Ooh!

However, like Pizzabox, I'll still go with warm water if the bathroom is cold. That's for comfort, though, not for shave closeness.

Neither cold nor hot, somewhere in between. I find hot water, hot towels etc., are not the best thing for me.