Thread: The Hot Towel

Hello, it's me again with another crazy question.

The hot towel may seem pretty self explanatory but I think it deserves a bit of time in the lime light. It seems as though it is common practice to use a hot towel as a pre-shave routine but what kind of towel is best and how is it best heated?

If I were to answer the questions myself I would say any type of hand towel dampened and thrown in the microwave for a bit to get it steaming hot. Since I am new to all this, maybe that's not the most effective way. Maybe a certain type of towel is better and maybe boiling a pot of water to pour over the towel is better.

What are your favorite towels and methods for heating, how do you apply it, and for how long?

Thanks in advance,
Jack

When I first started I used a hot towel , but I never got around to heating it in a microwave, just in the hot water in the sink as I was getting everything ready ,, I still soak the towel but I don't use it anymore for pre shave , I wipe my blade on it folded on the side of the sink , then I wipe my face as I finish after running cold water on it,, my pre shave routine is pretty simple now except on weekends and special occasions. But any decent hand towel will do and how hot you like is the determining factor on how. Tc

I rarely use a hot towel anymore, but I shave right after I shower. When I do use one, it is a very soft and fluffy hand towel that I dampen and microwave for a minute. I usually also put a drop of lavender or clove oil on the towel before microwaving so that I can enjoy the scent.

Clearly there are those that swear by it, and I used to use a towel soaked in very hot water, BUT, I gave it up, because at least on my face, I suspected it was contributing to less comfortable shaves. I cold water shave occasionally (actually a lot in the summer), but most of the time now do lukewarm shaves. I believe the REAL key is getting your face WET, good and wet, before applying the lather, and repeatedly if you go slowly.

I view a hot towel as a luxury and not a necessity.

I have not seen that it is a "common practice" to use a hot towel as a preshave,,, maybe at a barber shop.

I use a towel as a post shave,,, folded bar towel soaked under running water, placed on a plate in microwave, heated for 1 minute. Used to wipe the remaining soap from the face & warm massage.

I love a hot towel, as has been said though it's a luxury, and for me would require childless time, but towel I got for it was a lovely soft Egyptian cotton towel, which I dampened and microwaved. Be careful though as it can get hot as hell.

I also have one which when I'm doing hot towel I dampen and put in the freezer for an after shave pat down.

Geek

Only on occasion. Say SWMBO decides she wants to go out that nite, and I've already had a shower (typically when I shave ).
Thats when I use a hot towel

When I want BBS I hot towel After my shower and for as long as can stand it, couple swizzles of the badger in Noxema then into the rum soap and you are 90% there, a well honed razor and I have gotten a perfect shave in basicly One pass, true story. Well worth it for me.

Barbers had a towel heater just for that purpose though many probably didn't use them. The hot towels were hot enough so they could hardly touch them with their hands. Don't forget your hands are way more sensitive to heat than your face.