Thread: Cold Water Shaving

I noticed, like with everything else concerning wet shaving, there's a learning curve. I have 4 cold water shaves under my belt, I know, almost a pro right? Just what I've noticed off the bat, and I'll continue fooling around with different preps, is that I have a lot more irritation if I shower before. My best shave so far has been coming home from work and just splash tap water to wet everything then a couple of cold towels, lather, strop, cold towel, shave, etc...
I normally, when using hot water, use a preshave oil, when trying cold with it though it actually made it really difficult to get close shave.
With the cold water shaving and no preshave oil and shower post shaving I get an acceptable "office" shave, similar in closeness to a wtg cartridge shave. I was not able to get that with hot water shaving, ymmv, but I'm sold.

I have been doing the cold water shave for years. Not intentional but if you follow up the wife in kids for shower/shave time all the hot water is gone. Lol! All kidding aside I do find that I get less nicks when I use luke warm or cold water when shaving. Kind of wakes a guy up a little bit too.

Originally Posted by arbeaner

I have been doing the cold water shave for years. Not intentional but if you follow up the wife in kids for shower/shave time all the hot water is gone. Lol! All kidding aside I do find that I get less nicks when I use luke warm or cold water when shaving. Kind of wakes a guy up a little bit too.

Something I never thought of. Feel more alert and positive after the shave.

Hi,

today i've changed the approach. I didn't shower before the shave (neither after).

A lot of cold water on my face.
Alum Block (i saw a video of a french guy doing this)
A lot of water again.
Lather and shave WTG
Wash
Lather and shave XTG
Wash
Lather and touch up
Wash my face
Dry a little with a towel
Witch Hazel
After shave splash
After shave balm

The shave was surprisingly better than the last one, but the sensation after shave was little worst with little more irritation on the skin for arround 1 hour.

OK I'm 3 cold shaves in a row and the poison ivy like rash on my neck never hasn't returned- this must be it.

Originally Posted by KenG

OK I'm 3 cold shaves in a row and the poison ivy like rash on my neck never hasn't returned- this must be it.

I think you have entered the promised land...

Originally Posted by KenG

OK I'm 3 cold shaves in a row and the poison ivy like rash on my neck never hasn't returned- this must be it.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I think you have entered the promised land...

And been granted citizenship. You are allowed occasional trips to hot land to remind yourself of the better way for your face.

Been over a week straight for me now, much more comfy!! Did a couple with the straights and most with the DE.

I, too, have been trying the cold water shave for a couple of weeks now - maybe 8 or so. I've used both the DE and the straight. I've done it after a shower a few times, and also with no washing or prep at all other than splashing my face with cold water. I find that it is easier to get a good lather in a bowl than on the face, but I can manage on the face. I go WTG, XTG, and ATG, simply rinsing my face with cold water and relathering between each pass. Less irritation, faster overall, definitely just as close a shave, less razor burn and so far fewer nicks. Go figure.

Another benefit for me is not having to worry about keeping my lather or brush warm between lathers.

By the way, I've been finishing with Witch Hazel on a toweled off face. That stuff is refreshing, and a great astringent.

I had no time to wrote about my 3 cold shave, but was very good.
The approach was like the book SME.

A lot of Cold water
Dry my face
Applay lather and work with fingers
Reapplay lather and shave WTG
Wash my face and dry it
Applay lather and shave XTG
Wash my face and dry it
Applay lather and shave ATG
Cold water wash
Witch Hazel
Bay Rum
After shave Balm

And i have to say: was great!!! no irritations, no burn, a few nicks because lack of attention (kids, wife...) and the cold water was not unpleasant as my first trial months ago, and the water here in north of Norway is really cold.
I think my Schwarzweisskeramik scuttle large size will be disapointed with the cold water inside.

As someone wrote: cold water don't kill you.