Thread: hot towel - is it worth it?

Yes! One must use a towel that has some weight to it and enough water left in it. I lightly wring out the towel and put on a plate in the microwave for 2 minutes. Time may vary with each microwave but it should come out steaming and hot!...Yea!.... Hot! The towels that I use are pretty thick terry about 1/3 the size of a full towel that I got from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Later,
Richard

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The hot hot towel over the first lather was how I was taught, and I have never changed, Honestly I really don't care if it improves the shave or not, it sure makes my morning better

What Glen said!

That's how I was taught by a master barber at trumpers as well.

I used to do it religiously and then tried without and there was no difference. Of course I always shower before I shave. What I did do is switch the hot towel to after shaving and I like that better. So it's shave, hot towel then cold water splash then alum and then witch hazel. To those who think the hot towel cools too quickly make sure it's not your face getting use to the heat and it only seems cool.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The hot hot towel over the first lather was how I was taught, and I have never changed, Honestly I really don't care if it improves the shave or not, it sure makes my morning better

Amen to that.

I am fortunate that the tap water here in my apartment is of excellent quality and as hot the molten lead on Venus. I swear this stuff will raise a blister on a saddle horn.

All I need do is run some over a nice 1/3 size towel in the sink then squish it out with welding gloves (just kidding), wait a couple of seconds then completely fog my glasses and heat up my face, the first application of lather and beard - Yes, I have learned to take off my glasses.

The result is the best 30 minutes of 'me time' known to man...

Originally Posted by tonycraigo

The result is the best 30 minutes of 'me time' known to man...

I'm a cold-water shaver but agree, any act into which we put that much care is a superlative act.

Originally Posted by roughkype

I'm a cold-water shaver but agree, any act into which we put that much care is a superlative act.

I have to admit, 'Bullet' my cat, could lick my whiskers off if I put chicken livers on my face (he don't go for milk in his old age). I've tried the cold water shave and it works, but really...

If I had to shave with cold water I'd probably be running a live, rabid badger through my arse crack after I pooped every day. Probably leave me clean as a whistle, but the fun would just be sucked out of the process.

I normally shave right out of the shower so the hot towel would be a waste of time. The shower tends to soften my beard enough for a smooth shave.

On the weekend I use a hot towel every now and again but I do not need it in my routine per se...

I used to always use a hot towel and recently I have stopped simply to save some time. I have not noticed any difference with or without a towel. As everyone has said, a shower beforehand is just as effective. But, when I have the time, the hot towel adds to the nostalgia of shaving with a straight razor.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The hot hot towel over the first lather was how I was taught, and I have never changed, Honestly I really don't care if it improves the shave or not, it sure makes my morning better

It was the most enjoyable part of the shave when done by the barber. I only shave after a shaower and continue to use the hot towel both before and after I shave. Does wonders for the soul.