Thread: Cold Water Shaving Technique?

I can't even remember what is was like to shave with hot water to be clear. I'll always shave Polar Bear.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

I had an aha moment this morning as I walked from the front room to the bathroom to shower and shave. Stopped in the kitchen long enough to reach into the freezer and pull out a small freeze pack like you would use in a cooler. After my cold water shave and rinse, since I've stopped using an alum block, I took the pack and rubbed my face with it. You could hear the pores snapping shut! If I wasn't awake before that I sure was now. Easier than using an ice cube.

You could just pop your head in the freezer for a few mins?

I have stopped using Alum for a couple of days and my skin feels much better. Thanks for the tip

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

It seems I have had an allergic reaction to the alum. I know it sounds strange and probably doctors will say I'm wrong. But I also have a mild case of Rosacea and have been eliminating anything that seems to cause it to flare up. Switching to a cold water shave was the first step and helped immensely. Irritation level did not subside much after switching and on a suggestion from another SRP member (not knowing I was using an alum block) to try it, my mind did an aha and said maybe that's a culprit. It's been one week and a lack of irritation has made me a believer in what might be un scientific method but it works anyway. Can't wait for a hot summer day and the ice pack rub to start the day right.

Glad its working and your face is feeling better!

Isn't it funny how it works, I read a post bass ackwards and ended up finding a delightful shaving soap all by accident, which is now my favorite, and we get are meanings crossed and you figure out a fix for your face!

You know, there would be no wars, strife or conflict if everyone would join a shaving forum, recognize a coticule as the best stone, understand the HHT test as the only indicator of a properly honed razor, and realize that cold water is the only proper way to shave....down with the hot water and scuttle Overlords and Oppressors!

Next we come for the Snurdler Class!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Glad its working and your face is feeling better!

Isn't it funny how it works, I read a post bass ackwards and ended up finding a delightful shaving soap all by accident, which is now my favorite, and we get are meanings crossed and you figure out a fix for your face!

You know, there would be no wars, strife or conflict if everyone would join a shaving forum, recognize a coticule as the best stone, understand the HHT test as the only indicator of a properly honed razor, and realize that cold water is the only proper way to shave....down with the hot water and scuttle Overlords and Oppressors!

Next we come for the Snurdler Class!

1: Thank you for the kind words my friend.

2: Why are you holding out on me? What soap to end all soaps are you talking about?

3: I say blue, you say red. I say high, you say low. A new means of world peace, take everything I say in the opposite and we'll all get along (hah!).

4: You never asked me if I thought a coticule was the best stone. Don't believe in the HHT test. We only agree on cold water shaving, and then, I will allow a few lukewarm shaves here and there. Are you trying to start a war by thinking we all agree? Where are the nuances, the mild bickering, the out and out heavy discussions on 6/8 versus 9/8 and all the sizes inbetween? With out a little dissention we are nothing but a loaf of bland white bread when we should be a shelf of rye and pumpernickel! Agree to (mildly) disagree and we can have a healthy détente to fill our days of wine and lather!

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

1: Thank you for the kind words my friend.

2: Why are you holding out on me? What soap to end all soaps are you talking about?

3: I say blue, you say red. I say high, you say low. A new means of world peace, take everything I say in the opposite and we'll all get along (hah!).

4: You never asked me if I thought a coticule was the best stone. Don't believe in the HHT test. We only agree on cold water shaving, and then, I will allow a few lukewarm shaves here and there. Are you trying to start a war by thinking we all agree? Where are the nuances, the mild bickering, the out and out heavy discussions on 6/8 versus 9/8 and all the sizes inbetween? With out a little dissention we are nothing but a loaf of bland white bread when we should be a shelf of rye and pumpernickel! Agree to (mildly) disagree and we can have a healthy détente to fill our days of wine and lather!

Now here's the kicker, the soap I found by accident, that led to you not using alum, was the result of me mis-reading a post about what I thought was someone using alum before shaving, and I thought that was interesting, then re-read it and realized I got it bass ackwards, until another member piped up that he's heard of that, and that there was a soap with alum in it!! The Osma shaving soap, love the stuff.

So, there I was posting with you, asking about the alum might be a solution, and was going to offer to send you a tin, when the idea of not using alum came up...what a weird, wonderful way, solutions and fun has arisen...I now think we're all insane, we're not supposed to have this much fun discussing shaving? Are we?

Originally Posted by Phrank

I now think we're all insane, we're not supposed to have this much fun discussing shaving? Are we?

Well, I, for one, do.

Originally Posted by Phrank

So, there I was posting with you, asking about the alum might be a solution, and was going to offer to send you a tin, when the idea of not using alum came up...what a weird, wonderful way, solutions and fun has arisen...I now think we're all insane, we're not supposed to have this much fun discussing shaving? Are we?

Insane? Going insane? I haven't had an odd thought in days! in days! in days! (If I only had a therapist what fun I could have with the poor guy or gal.)

Alright, since we seem to think in contradictory paths, now you've got me thinking that since I have eliminated alum I need to run a test to see if it truly was a culprit. I will take you up on your offer of Osma, but just send me a sample from what you have, enough for three or four shaves. That would be just about right to see if I do have an adverse reaction to alum. I'm curious to see where in the ingredient list alum is listed. The lower in the list, the less of that ingredient. I was thinking of using the block again but I don't want to use it full strength and undo what I have accomplished so far. If you are willing to do that PM me and I'll send you my snail mail address.

...............PM sent!