Thread: The use of hot and cold water, and the preparation of the beard, book excerpt 1869.

I've just finished a shave where I washed and lathered (with some vigorous face-scrubbing) with cold water but making sure that the blade was kept hot—three passes on cheeks (WTG & XTG both ways) and two on the neck (WTG and a mash-up of ATG and XTG); followed by alum, wash (still with cold water) and then GFT Skin Food for good measure.

I appear to have a bit more razor burn on my neck than I'd normally expect but I'm not actually sure whether that's the cold water or just overzealousness with the razor. I was specifically focussing on maintaining nice light strokes, today, but I did keep revisiting certain neck-areas to get bits I wasn't happy with. And, in hindsight, I also trimmed the rest of my beard with clippers, beforehand, which could have added to irritation...

That seems to fade away pretty quickly, though, and the overall quality of the shave seems to be just as good as with hot water. I might go as far as to say that the act of shaving, itself, felt easier with cold water than with hot—the razor glides better and cuts hair more easily, and (as a face-latherer) I think I was able to build a better lather with cold water, too; but the end result is currently uncertain.

I think I'll try this again next time and see how it goes, probably with a different razor.

Here is my version! I agree with JimmyHAD that the hot water etc. can be enjoyably but time is required isn't worth it most times.

My sink takes time for the water to get warm in the morning. I turn it on slow and get the brush started with soap. Face lather while the faucet is still on slow. Set my brush aside. Strop my razor or whatever else is needed. If something unusual happens and i feel the lather is dry i will relather. Not often. By that time the water is hot and i rinse the blade to get it wet before starting and then do one pass rinsing a few times. I don't worry much about with or cross grain but more about how i can cover enough area. My cheeks are usually XTG on both passes and my neck is WTG the first and ATG on the second. I relather with the brush that has been sitting there cold and do the second pass. The warm water by that time cleans the soap from the blade much better and by the time I am done the blade is warm to help dry. Then I take my shower that is on the same water line and is hot as soon as i get in and ready to go.

My routine with the shower takes about 10 minutes on average. If I was in a BBS contest I might change a few things but it works great for my normal day!

Originally Posted by PigHog

I think I was able to build a better lather with cold water, too; but the end result is currently uncertain.

I've noticed this as well. At least with a Williams puck. For me, the lather gets creamier and thicker more quickly with cold water than with hot. I'm still sorting out other variables, but this jumped out at me too.

I remember when I switched to cold water shaving a few years back, and have not once used hot or even warm water since. I myself am a bit of a nut about it tough,- I prep and finish with ice cubes. YMMV

Well my neck is really sensitive this morning. Rubbing against my collar is making it quite sore. I'm still not sure whether it's because of the water or my technique but it's not normally like this...

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

I remember when I switched to cold water shaving a few years back, and have not once used hot or even warm water since. I myself am a bit of a nut about it tough,- I prep and finish with ice cubes. YMMV

I've also recently dabbled with ice water recently and found it to be quite nice. The faucet here, even when ran at the full cold setting still comes out about lukewarm. To remedy that I simply load a huge beer mug with tap water and as much ice as it will hold and let it sit while I gather my gear. I then run a bit of tap water into the sink then dump in the ice and water from the beer mug. Pre-shave wash, lathering, rinsing and post shave was are all done in iced water with a follow up of witch hazel or some other aftershave.

Great Article!
I will definitely try this method on my next shave.

Originally Posted by PigHog

I've just finished a shave where I washed and lathered (with some vigorous face-scrubbing) with cold water but making sure that the blade was kept hot—three passes on cheeks (WTG & XTG both ways) and two on the neck (WTG and a mash-up of ATG and XTG); followed by alum, wash (still with cold water) and then GFT Skin Food for good measure.

I appear to have a bit more razor burn on my neck than I'd normally expect but I'm not actually sure whether that's the cold water or just overzealousness with the razor. I was specifically focussing on maintaining nice light strokes, today, but I did keep revisiting certain neck-areas to get bits I wasn't happy with. And, in hindsight, I also trimmed the rest of my beard with clippers, beforehand, which could have added to irritation...

That seems to fade away pretty quickly, though, and the overall quality of the shave seems to be just as good as with hot water. I might go as far as to say that the act of shaving, itself, felt easier with cold water than with hot—the razor glides better and cuts hair more easily, and (as a face-latherer) I think I was able to build a better lather with cold water, too; but the end result is currently uncertain.

I think I'll try this again next time and see how it goes, probably with a different razor.

Try some Thayers unscented non alcohol witch hazel with aloe instead of the Alum.The witch hazel is great for razor burn and can be used liberally before and after shaving. Very skin friendly with no residue of any kind.

Originally Posted by Martin103

The use of hot and cold water, and the preparation of the beard, book excerpt, from an Household guide 1869.

I love the part where it speaks of face lathering and its benefit over 'box' (bowl) lathering. It makes good sense...

Since I use Proraso in the tub container,my mug has been relegated to a soaker bowl for my brush and I just face lather.Seems to work better actually and I also have hand massaged the soap into my face before which also seems to work well and it feels pretty good too .