Cold water shave

I am curious if anybody else preps and shaves with cold water? I read an old pdf book from the early 1900's (found it on this forum but cannot remember the name of it). It recommends using cold water for a closer shaves as it causes the whiskers become more rigid and giving some resistance to the blade. I have tried this and am now only using cold water. I find that it does give me a close shave and the cold water really doesn't bother me. It's also a nice wake-up in the morning.

Has anybody else tried it? Like or dislike and why?

Yes, I've been doing the cold water prep and shave, from the same book, since February 2010. See this thread here for plenty of opinions pro and con.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes, I've been doing the cold water prep and shave, from the same book, since February 2010. See this thread here for plenty of opinions pro and con.

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Thanks for the link. After reading that thread I have decided to give cold water shaving a try and see if I can get even closer.

It's true! The shave rocks. Kinder to the skin, too.

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Originally Posted by STEVENMITCHELL

I am curious if anybody else preps and shaves with cold water? I read an old pdf book from the early 1900's (found it on this forum but cannot remember the name of it). It recommends using cold water for a closer shaves as it causes the whiskers become more rigid and giving some resistance to the blade. I have tried this and am now only using cold water. I find that it does give me a close shave and the cold water really doesn't bother me. It's also a nice wake-up in the morning.

Has anybody else tried it? Like or dislike and why?

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I've seen discussions before and even downloaded and read the book when I first started, but I never realized that the cold water shave is the way you're supposed to do it.

Since I easily overlook things, especially when I'm new at something, I'll post the book and tell you that the pertinent discussion is on pages 50-55. In a nutshell, it says a well-lathered face using cold water makes the whiskers more brittle and more easily removed.

Shaving made easy; what the man who shaves ought to know .. : 20th century correspondence school, New York. [from old catalog] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

I guess I'm gonna have to strap on the truss, work up my nerve, and try it, because I can attack certain areas from 8 different directions and haven't quite achieved the perfect shave.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes, I've been doing the cold water prep and shave, from the same book, since February 2010. See this thread here for plenty of opinions pro and con.

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Maybe you can't answer this, but after reading Pages 50-55 of this book I'm wondering why cold water shaving isn't common knowledge.

I never heard of such a thing until you discussed it earlier this year. When I was a kid in the 60s, barbers used to apply hot lather around the ears and shave with a straight. Naturally I thought shaves were supposed to be hot.

Now I have to try it. Before jumping in the cold water I don't know whether to thank you (:)) or thank you (:rant:) becuase I sure enjoy that warm lather.

Yeah I was as surprised as anyone by the idea that shaving with cold water might be better. I decided to give it a shot and it turned out to be better for me. It isn't for everybody though. Some guys say they do better with the hot.

I used to do the hot shower and vigorously wash my face twice (in the hot shower) to soften the whiskers. Come out and lather up with hot tap water out of my shaving brush and store the brush in my Moss scuttle for the second pass to keep it warm. Loved the warm lather.

I rinsed my face with cold water and it was good. Then I read the book and began doing it his way. I almost never shower before the shave now. I drop my brush in the lather bowl to better absorb the cold water . I splash some cold water on top of the puck of soap and go do something else for five minutes.

As the book recommends, I lather with the cold water on my dry face. I rub the lather in well and then lather again. That is all of my preparation. I shave sometimes with one pass and a touch up on neck and chin and other times two passes. When I'm done with the shave I rinse my face with hot water as the book recommends. It is good too. If I didn't think it was better this way I would be doing it the way I thought that was better, whatever that would be. My poor old Moss scuttle is under the sink gathering dust. :)

I do my first pass with a hot lather, and then I do a cold rinse and XTG/touch up pass with cold water only.

+1 to markevans.

I also do my first pass hot, and 2nd pass cold. Helps to get rid of that extra little bit of stubble :)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes, I've been doing the cold water prep and shave, from the same book, since February 2010. See this thread here for plenty of opinions pro and con.

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You got me convinced. Took six months to make myself try it, but those hairs were popping off (you could tell by the sound of the razor), it was comfortable, and I was getting whiskers I couldn't get before. I could also do strokes that dragged and pulled (and cut) with the warm preparation. It is also a time saver as well, which means I should be able to straight shave more often on mornings before work.

I wouldn't have believed it until I tried it. I shaved before my shower so that lends itself to the cold water rinse.

I tried it last summer w/ good results; but hadn't the nerve this winter since the tap water is so cold. This thread inspired me. Excellent results! Closer shave w/ no irritation! Once more today, then I grow a full beard for a part. Fort Wayne Youtheatre fundraiser; theme is old cowboy movies. My part? George "Gabby" Hayes!

I just can't stand the thought of shaving with cold water. Just reading the words "cold water shave" gives me the shivers. In the words of the immortal Jules Winnfield: "Sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy mother."

I have found that for me, when Jimmy recommends something it's worthwhile to pay attention. That held true with cold-water shaving; sure enough, it works!

In summer, when I'm camping.
Then I shave with cold water, I must say ...... pretty good.
In winter, as now I prefer warm water ..... this because I do not like cold.
the water is extra cold in winter here...... brrrr

Anyway earlier in 1930 or so, they only just shaved with cold water.
There was no hot water,the shaving soap was from of a lower quality.
Nevertheless a close shave, perhaps they had a better technique? Who nows
In other words, it actually belongs with cold water but hot water is a true luxury.:)

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Originally Posted by flyman

I just can't stand the thought of shaving with cold water. Just reading the words "cold water shave" gives me the shivers. In the words of the immortal Jules Winnfield: "Sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy mother."

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Sewer rat is some good eatin'.

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Originally Posted by STEVENMITCHELL

Sewer rat is some good eatin'.

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If it's cooked right. :rofl2:

I have plans on trying the cold vs hot today. I'm going to try one side wtih a warm lather after a hot shower (normal process). Then let my face cool down, and go back and do the opposite with the cold technique and see if i notice a difference. It may look strange if one side is closer then the other, but you may notice a difference. I'll post pictures as well. I apologize ahead of time for any razor burn or older cuts that you may see, as i am still using my disposable straight while wiating on my new (new to me) J.R. Torrey 5/8. Hopefully you can tell a difference anyway.

Just finished a cold shave (very cold... Montreal winter tap water is ice-cold!) and obtained very good results. I've been on cold-shave binge for the last week or so and for me, it produces a zero-irritation shave, even though my skin is on the sensitive side.

Once you get past the initial wetting of the face with cold water, the rest is quite comfortable, and at least for me, the feeling of cold steel on the face is quite nice and refreshing!

Finally finished my hot vs cold shave and pictures to show. As i said before, the disposable i used has been scratching my face but no nicks. I think its my technique, i'm getting the edge too close and sometimes get scratched. but thats another story. Here's the Hot vs Cold:

Hot
Attachment 54645

Cold
Attachment 54644

I dont know if you can really see much of a difference. The cold was much more invigorating, and a little more stiff at first so there wasnt as much stretching needed. I was able to get BBS with 2 passes (WTG, then XTG), as compared to the hot side, which too longer to prep, and took 3 passes to get BBS. I'm sold, cold it is, and its easier to prep. ts just feels better, and more soothing quicker. Hope it helps anyone on the fence. Sorry that the pictures are sideways. Still havent figured out how to rotate them.

I've shaved cold for years, only 'cause I couldn't be bothered to wait for the hot water to get hot.

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Originally Posted by joshb1000

Finally finished my hot vs cold shave and pictures to show. As i said before, the disposable i used has been scratching my face but no nicks. I think its my technique, i'm getting the edge too close and sometimes get scratched. but thats another story. Here's the Hot vs Cold:

Hot
Attachment 54645

Cold
Attachment 54644

I dont know if you can really see much of a difference. The cold was much more invigorating, and a little more stiff at first so there wasnt as much stretching needed. I was able to get BBS with 2 passes (WTG, then XTG), as compared to the hot side, which too longer to prep, and took 3 passes to get BBS. I'm sold, cold it is, and its easier to prep. ts just feels better, and more soothing quicker. Hope it helps anyone on the fence. Sorry that the pictures are sideways. Still havent figured out how to rotate them.

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Man .... what do you have a razor scars.:):)
Nice that you want to show in this way, but we can not feel what is smoother Based on the picture.:)

Your right it's something you have to try for yourself, but maybe the pictures could show a bit Of change from one side to the other. Not crazy about the scratches on the pictures, but stuff happens... Especially with disposables. It's like a learning to drive a standard car, if u can shave with a disposable straight you can shave with anything

I cold water shave. I find my cold water shaves are both closer and more comfortable than my hot water shaves. Prep is still important, but I find less is required to achieve a desirable shave when shaving with cold water.

I like the shave I get using cold water, but I've sort of compromised
a bit: I use hot water to make the lather, with a cold water wash
and rinse on my face.

Since I don't have a scuttle, the lather ends up being room temperature,
at least after the first application.

Water is water to me anymore hot,cold,lukewarm I'm now pretty versatile actually and I get a good shave either way.:)Hiya Paul how goes it ?! Happy New Year !

Even though I am not yet shaving with a SR (still cant decide what to buy,) I have always used cold water - Dad told me that "real men don't need hot water." Actually, every time I shave after a hot shower my neck ends up looking like it was attacked by ants with all the redness and bumps...

Once I get my SR imma stick with the cold!

Mine did too, but I never connected it with the hot shower until I read the book and gave it a try.

In the first post it's mentioned that cold water causes the whiskers to become more rigid and gives some resistance to the blade.
1. Has anyone ever tried using Williams electric pre shave before a SR shave ? The tv ads show the whiskers standing straight up after applying their product. I'm thinking of applying the Williams and then the lather.
2. If the cold water offers more resistance, could there be an adverse effect on the blade ?
I intend to try the cold water next shave - very curious to experience a cold shave.

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Originally Posted by Styptic

I've shaved cold for years, only 'cause I couldn't be bothered to wait for the hot water to get hot.

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Ditto.

It's my excuse anyway.

I have done both and its more about what I prefer. Cold water shaves during the summer are refreshing, but during the winter, I enjoy the warm water shaves more.

Everyone is a little different on how they get it done and its all good.

Pabster

I've found that shaves with extreme water temperatures (really hot or really frickin' cold) are not comfortable for my skin. I prefer to use warm water (not so hot it steams) to lather, wash and rinse. My skin likes it, and I get a pretty decent shave out of it. I tried the straight cold, but it made my skin too brittle and made the hair lay down. I also tried the near-boiling hot and it left too much hair and blood behind from skin swelling. I found that warm tap water works best for me. As always, though, your mileage may vary.

So I've been experimenting a little and maybe ya'll can chime in with your thoughts. Like I said above I use the cold water method, however I read an interesting thread on pre shave oils/face wash with oils. I have an oily face with wide open pours so I thought I would give washing my face with oils only a try. I found it to be great for my skin; my face doesn't feel overly oily and also doesn't get dried out like it did with other chemical facial cleansers. My ingrediants are 30% casterol oil, 70% olive oil, and about 4 drops of tea trea oil (mixed in a small purell hand sanitizer bottle).

So here's what I've been doing. I wash my face with the oil and step in the hot shower to open the pours and let the oil soak in and I know the oil is also softening the bristles at the same time. I wipe off all the oil at the end of the shower and when I step out to begin the shave I splash my face with alot of cold water to tighten up the face and make the bristles stand a little more straight and rigid. I think it's a nice combination of giving the blade a little resistence to allow better cutting and softening the bristles with the oil so their not hard as steele. I do not know if I'm getting any benifit from this or not but I really like it so far.

So am I crazy? Is this counter productive?

interesting
do you guys still think a preshave whisker softening product is required?

I didn't really start using it as a pre shave but rather as a face cleanser. It still softens the whiskers but don't know if it is counter active to a cold water shave.

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Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

Maybe you can't answer this, but after reading Pages 50-55 of this book I'm wondering why cold water shaving isn't common knowledge.

I never heard of such a thing until you discussed it earlier this year. When I was a kid in the 60s, barbers used to apply hot lather around the ears and shave with a straight. Naturally I thought shaves were supposed to be hot.

Now I have to try it. Before jumping in the cold water I don't know whether to thank you (:)) or thank you (:rant:) becuase I sure enjoy that warm lather.

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I've known about cold water shaves since the 80's. An older guy who'd been to Vietnam told me that's what they did in the tropical climate to avoid razor rash. I still shave cold in hot, humid weather, but generally enjoy a nice hot towel and warm lather!

I have been doing cold water shaves for a couple of weeks now and love them. Thank you to all who inspired me to try.

Just tried this for the first time. I did my usual routine, but used cold water throughout, rubbed in first lathering and relathered, and skipped the face rinses as per advice.

0. Soaked brush and DE (for now -- waiting for straight to arrive) in cold water whilst showering.
1. Washed face in cold water. Pat dry with wringed-out flannel
2. Apply proraso pre/post cream
3. Mixed up TOBS lavendar cream in bowl with cold water
4. Without cleaning off proraso or rinsing, lathered up, rubbed in.
5. Re-applied lather. WTG pass.
6. Without rinsing, re-applied lather. XTG pass.
7. Again, relathered. ATG pass.
8. Cold water rinse, flannel-dried, apply alum.
9. Cold water rinse, flannel-dried, apply bay rum.

Not so keen on the cold water washes. I don't really mind the cold lather or cold blade on my face though.

Because (I presume) the hairs weren't softened as much as usual, and the coldness making my face tighter meant that it wasn't as supple, the shave was rougher-going than usual.

The shave wasn't any closer than usual, but I did manage to tidy up a tricky bit (for me) to the RHS of my Adam's apple. Normally, I give up on this after a couple of goes due to irritation.

My face felt much tighter afterwards than usual (not in a good way).

Next time I think I will put back in the missing rinses inbetween passes. It just didn't feel right without.

I'll persevere until I switch blades and rotate again, but I haven't experienced anything so far that will make me give up the hot water.

I will say the this is meant for straight shaving not de shaving. I can't imagine a DE blade on a face with cold water, ouch!

Ah. Hadn't thought of that. Will come back to you soon then. (Hopefully within the week, depending on the post!) :gaah:

Asa matter of fact I did a cold water shave with a DE last week (my hand-eye coordination was off and didn't feel like nicking my strop...or my face, for that matter ;)) with a feather stainless steel, and I must say the feel of ice-cold steel on the face wasn't unpleasant. It felt like it sealed the pores along the way as the blade passed over the skin. An interesting experience to try out, I would say!