Thread: 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.