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Had our first Meet Up get together of fellows using straight razors and one guy said he does nothing but a cold water shave as it tightens the skin which helps hold up the whiskers thus making for a closer shave. I'm pretty new at this so asking the more experienced to weigh in here. Cold water, yes or no?
Yes to cold water. Hut only because I don't have hot water here.
Under the section right below this one "Shaving with a Straight Razor" there is a thread several pages long about cold water shaving. It is titled something like "cold water shave
is the best & worst ever"
John
I am a big fan of cold water shaving. I feel that it reduces irritation and razor burn.
What I do is I take two coffee mugs and fill them with ice and water. I then let me badger or boar soak in one of the cups (while I shower). I prep the face by swirling the brush with ice cold water before lathering. I redip the brush into the cup as needed.
I keep the second cut for a ice-cold water splash after I finish shaving.
Yea, people use cold water to shave with. Try it to see if it works for you, the worst that can happen is you don't like it.
Bob
Tried cold water shaving....had to in the US Army. I'd rather be beaten about the face and neck with a crowbar.
OTH didn't kill you, so I wonder why people just don't try it to see what is what for themselves. It is not like anyone is suggesting using acid to shave with, it is only a change in water temp. Like most things in this hobby it is a matter of preference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
Bob
I switched from hot water and a scuttle to cold water and a plain bowl over a year ago, and I have no reason to go back. It's just more convenient.
Does room temp. water fall under the cold water category?
In what way?Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
Bob
I switched to cold water a while ago and never looked back. Best shave ever, lot of irritation disappeared, also very refreshing. For me, I also find I get a better, closer shave with the cold water. Now, that's not saying a hot water shave isn't fun once in awhile, but that's the whole fun of this, do what you feel like, use what blade or soap you feel like, when you feel like...it all comes down to what works for you...and both way's will provide a great shave.
Even better was dry shaving. I remember in Basic and Infantry School you'd be waiting for the cattle cars and just for the heck of it the Drill Sergeants wouldQuote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
have us all take out our disposable Bics and dry shave. :dropjaw:
And now, back to our regularly scheduled topic.
John
Cold water shave = less irritation, tighter face, ageless look. Lukewarm is as effective. You can start with lukewarm and slowly make it colder each time. Have even rubbed an ice cube over my face and THAT is a good way to become fully awake!
Ouch, that just proves there is at least one in every crowd,Quote:
Originally Posted by kerryman71
Bob
Here is the thread that Kerryman71 mentioned (above). The topic does seem to come up regularly: do a site search for "cold water" and you'll find a lot.
I've been doing cold-water shaves for a couple of weeks now, in response to the recent thread. I like it a lot, though look forward to doing some hot-water shaves again soon, both as a "control" for my cold-water results and for pure hedonistic pleasure here in freezing Chicagoland.
to soak my brush
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Yea, for sure.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
Bob
When I was in country , the first thing you learned was to cold shave even if at base camp. Less irritation. But that was in the jungle. I love my hot shave. But I do touch ups with nothing but cold water splash and that way I don't get any irritation. Tc
I shave with hot water and do a cold water rinse. Wakes you right up.
In basic training I remember the Drill Seargents ensuring that we shaved with cold water the morning we went into the gas chamber. Dry shaving was a necessity so you weren't late for morning formation :) ahhhh the memories.
Depends on your room I guess, when the ambient temp outside my house is 37 degrees centegrade cold isn't that cold, but I do keep a mug of water in the fridge for shaving with.Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
I switched to cold water shaving a few months ago and stuck with it. It helped reduce my irritation and improved my shaves.
I typically use it cold straight from the tap, but during the winter months I turn the hot water faucet a bit to bring the water temp up from "freezing cold" to "cold". It's no fun shaving a frozen face.
But at least if you cut yourself you won't feel it.Quote:
Originally Posted by henryconchile
No shivering.
The worst part of cold water prep is the anticipation. When it's over you'll feel refreshed! I was getting more irritation with the hot towel prep so I decided to give cold water a try and it worked wonders. The water I use runs at 4 degrees C from the well.
Well played!Quote:
No shivering.
For me cold water shaves give less irritation, but I can usually achieve a closer shave with warm water. It's a trade-off.
Only if its a cold room :)Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
I think the best if u start with medium hot water, and before the second pass you swap on cold ! It works very well for me.....So I vote on BOTH
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.
I might give that a try.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
Just curious, but why did you stop using an alum block?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by PensacolaTiger
I can't even remember what is was like to shave with hot water to be clear. I'll always shave Polar Bear.
You could just pop your head in the freezer for a few mins?Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
I have stopped using Alum for a couple of days and my skin feels much better. Thanks for the tip :)
Glad its working and your face is feeling better!Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
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!
:D
:bow1: Thank you for the kind words my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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!:bow
:roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
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? :hmmm:
Well, I, for one, do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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!