Thread: Pre-shave Rountine

Fairly new to this as well, gents. I've never heard of a cold shave nor pre shave oil.

My routine has been a shower, thoguht I can'tt stand it too hot, and then lather with the Lotion I have and a brush with hot water...I don't leave it on long, I just get started.

Perhaps I shall experiment with a hot towel next.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'm a cold water man, like MrMoo. I've done the hot towels, the vigorous face washing in the hot shower and shave afterwards, but I went to cold water shaving a few years ago, and do the prep suggested in the 1905 booklet. Splash of cold water, lather, rub lather in, lather again, shave. Works as well or better than any prep I've ever used. YMMV.

I agree with this method that the booklet recommends. I found that during the day/days (according to how often I shave) some/a lot of grease and dirt accumulates on my skin and on the surface of my whiskers. This grease prevents the lather and the water to take effect because the water can not penetrate the grease. The grease makes the beard water repellent. No water can soften my beard - no matter if it is hot or cold - unless it can get to the beard.

So, by rubbing the lather into the skin, I, basically, simply clean my beard with soap, I remove the grease. This is what soaps were made for in the first place. This is "the prep". Then I apply the lather for a couple of mins. Now the water in the lather can do its job - soften.

Only I use an ordinary bar of soap to clean my face and then the lather.

Getting back to the op, for me, neither a hot shower nor a hot towel give as good a shave as rubbing. It is worth a try.