Thread: Cold water shave

Just tried my first cold water shave and It was very nice. Close,comfortable,and quick,although I don't see myself using this method during the winter,as coming out of a hot shower and all my joints nice and toasty,splashing cold water on my mug would harsh my mellow,but in the summer its very nice. One thing though,I wonder if this method isnt for beginners as they can use all the help they can get,just as I wouldn't recommend scything to a beginner as they most likely get enough cuts without trying something like that. Just my 2 cents.
Griz

Yesterday, I shaved with cold water for the first time.
I must say that I was surprised.
The main difference that I noticed comparing with hot water shaving was that there was significant less skin irritation after. I can say that there was no irritation and burning at all. That surprised me well.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

One thing though,I wonder if this method isnt for beginners as they can use all the help they can get,just as I wouldn't recommend scything to a beginner as they most likely get enough cuts without trying something like that. Just my 2 cents.
Griz

Just speaking for myself, I started shaving with cold water when I was only about 3 months into this, and didn't notice that it made shaving more difficult. What I did notice right away, in addition to a closer, more comfortable shave, is that when I did nick myself, it bled a lot less and stopped a lot sooner than when shaving with hot water. Of course, YEMV.

I tried a couple of cold shaves last week. I really can't say that I noticed a whole lot of difference to be honest. I really like shaving after a nice hot shower so I doubt if I'll do it much but it's nice to know that it's an option if I need to shave and don't have time for a shower.

I did try one other thing that I really do like though. After reading one of the comments about someone saying that a cold blade made the steel contract and reduce the micro whatevers on it (I'm not sure I really buy it but figured I would give it a try) I decided to shave with a hot later but a cold blade. So I made my rinse water as cold as I could get it and soaked the blade for a minute to get it cold. I have to say I really dig it. I don't know if the cold made the blade any better but it does make the cold steel feel nice and refreshing as I shave. I really like the sensation.

The

Originally Posted by Slur

Yesterday, I shaved with cold water for the first time.
I must say that I was surprised.
The main difference that I noticed comparing with hot water shaving was that there was significant less skin irritation after. I can say that there was no irritation and burning at all. That surprised me well.

Same here. I shave at the gym, and the cold water is more readily available and the first thing I noticed was zero irritation or bumps and the razor glided more smoothly through the hairs and across my face.

Our AC went out last Sunday in near 100 degree heat. I showered and shaved cold, got one of the smoothest shaves I've ever had, and a nice cool-off to boot! We finally got the AC fixed yesterday, thank God!

I have used cold water in my scuttle a few times on hot mornings, very refreshing with cool lather.

Originally Posted by PhlyanPan

I did try one other thing that I really do like though. After reading one of the comments about someone saying that a cold blade made the steel contract and reduce the micro whatevers on it (I'm not sure I really buy it but figured I would give it a try) I decided to shave with a hot later but a cold blade. So I made my rinse water as cold as I could get it and soaked the blade for a minute to get it cold. I have to say I really dig it. I don't know if the cold made the blade any better but it does make the cold steel feel nice and refreshing as I shave. I really like the sensation.

A quick and dirty little calculation I did over in a thread in the hones section: An approximate thermal expansion coefficient for steel is 0.00000645 in/deg F. Using this generalization, a 3" razor will expand 0.00001935" per degree the temperature is raised. Say we go from 80 degrees room temp to 120 degree hot water. We have a delta T of 40, meaning that a 3" razor will expand 0.000774". A human hair is roughly 0.04" in diameter. So if you cover 40 degrees, your razor will be about 1/100th of a hair longer!

Originally Posted by adbuett

A quick and dirty little calculation I did over in a thread in the hones section: An approximate thermal expansion coefficient for steel is 0.00000645 in/deg F. Using this generalization, a 3" razor will expand 0.00001935" per degree the temperature is raised. Say we go from 80 degrees room temp to 120 degree hot water. We have a delta T of 40, meaning that a 3" razor will expand 0.000774". A human hair is roughly 0.04" in diameter. So if you cover 40 degrees, your razor will be about 1/100th of a hair longer!

So basically, always shave with a cold blade.

Originally Posted by grant9908

So basically, always shave with a cold blade.

If you so wish! But I like to think of it this way: If I have 1 million dollars, and I buy a soda for $1, I now only have $999,999, but I am still going to call myself a millionaire! A change that relatively infinitesimally small is going to go completely unnoticed. Now the fact that the blade is cold might have something to do with it. If the blade is cold, it will undoubtedly have cold water still on it. The coldness of the blade/water might be able to stand the hair up a little more right before it cuts? Maybe somebody should try an iced shave; rub some ice on your face until it's numb then see if a closer shave is had