Thread: Advice on cold water shaving?

I read a book: 'Shaving Made Easy' I tried this, but I didn't get the results that the book mentioned. I found it harder to shave, and I'm not sure it was closer. I have water that sits in a container on the counter that I used. I washed my face first and then lathered, let it sit for a minute or two and shaved.

Is there something that's missing?
Do I need colder water, change my technique? I think there was less irritation, and less trouble, so I would like to improve upon this.

Thanks

I been cold shaving for about 15 months. Just use the water cold from the tap. I also freeze my bowl 1/2 way and used that to lather on. And then use the left over ice to do a face rub after the shave. Very refreshing and my irritation is zero. no alum block anymore. Only thing is the lather is a little weak so I add a couple drops of glycerin.

I just fill the sink with cold tap water, load brush, wet face and face lather. That's it, been doing that for about 5 months.

Bob

As others do.. I just fill the sink with cold tap water and keep a tiny drizzle from the tap. Nothing special to it. I've been doing it for months and have no desire to stop.

Originally Posted by binder

I read a book: 'Shaving Made Easy' I tried this, but I didn't get the results that the book mentioned. I found it harder to shave, and I'm not sure it was closer. I have water that sits in a container on the counter that I used. I washed my face first and then lathered, let it sit for a minute or two and shaved.

Is there something that's missing?
Do I need colder water, change my technique? I think there was less irritation, and less trouble, so I would like to improve upon this.

Thanks

You don't need colder water. The only thing I do different is not wash my face and let the lather sit on my face 1-2 minutes before shaving. Sounds to me that the lag time between lathering and shaving might have taken the wetness out of your lather. If the lather isn't wet and slick then the cushion it's supposed to provide isn't there.

Probably if you do it a few times you'll figure out what's wrong. Try not washing your face and shaving immediately after lathering.

IIRC I got the following procedure from the aforementioned book ....... no prep at all except, lather cold tap water, rub lather vigorously into the whiskers with your fingertips. Do not rinse. Lather again and shave. IIRC the author suggests never doing ATG. Only WTG for however many passes. This to avoid irritation. Not a bad way but I still do a combination of XTG/ATG on my second pass. No third pass for me but maybe a touch up on the neck, maybe not.

This has been working for me for well over a year, maybe two, can't recall. The question is, do you get better shaves with hot water ? Me personally I don't. Not worse, but about the same. So I go cold and save a whole lot of time, and in the long run, electricity.

I had never experienced this but know I am thinking to try this.I am not sure but I think it would be a very good experience.

Advise on cold water shaving??? DO IT!