I detect a conspiracy against the scuttle makers.
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I detect a conspiracy against the scuttle makers.
Well putting a small bowl in a big bowl if water works just as well, and for free if you hunt through your cupboards. Not as elegant I know.
I soak my brush in an ice & water filled "scuttle" ( a $3 latte "cup/bowl" from the miss-match bin at Wally World) When I'm using P160 or Cella I press a snurdle of soap in to the bottom of the ice cold scuttle. So scuttle does have a place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephisto
When I face lather with something like MWF I soak the brush in the ice water scuttle, flood the MWF with cool tap water. Dump the ice water in to the sink and dump the soaking water from the MWF in to the scuttle. Load the brush, lather the face then use the soak water from the scuttle for lather building. If it looks like I have way too much soak water I reserve that in a separate cup.
I still have my beautiful Sara Bonnyman "Moss" scuttle. Thanks to Dr. Chris Moss for designing the, IMHO, best scuttle known to man.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephisto
I do soak my brush in cold tap water, with some on the puck for five minutes or so. Dump the water off of the puck into the SRD lather bowl, and do the thing. I keep the scuttle because it is cool (no pun) and if I ever (shudder) decide to go back to hot, I won't have to buy another. :chapeau
Hi MJC, I thought a scuttle was double skinned, ie a dry bowl with a water chamber surrounding it, not having a go, just asking, maybe I misundestood your explanation.
Well this cold thing works,no question about it.It is contrary to what Barbers have been doing for a very long time.
So the question is: why do's it work?? we need some science here folks:) I have no clue why it works.
Go back to the link for the 1905 booklet that started it all. The booklet explains it.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post544022
As far as barbers go ....... imagine paying for a shave and the barber starts out by slapping a cold towel on your face ! :rofl2:
My scuttle has not seen any use since I switched to cold water face lather shaving. I still keep it if I want a hot shave for some reason. I normally fill the sink half full of cold water, swirl the brush in it, give it 2 or 3 good shakes, start loading it on a dry puck, dip the tips in the water and load some more. I then just build lather on the face adding a bit of water as needed by dipping the tips in the water as I go.
Bob
Pretty good. If you've used Proraso before it shouldn't be that much of a change.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
That might be a small part of the reason why the silly buggers slapped a 'Mentor' tag on me poor dogs 'ead Ed. :) But I'm no encyclopedia. I just know what works for me and why.
Mick
Or they were just scared you'd rock up with your assorted swords if they didn't. :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by MickR
Was originally going to say an encyclopedia with the dust jacket from a comic book compendium, but I am not sure that even makes sense and if it does whether it sounds rude, which it wasnt supposed to. Wasn't trying to say your a know it all, just a good broad knowledge base, but are unassuming about it. Oh perhaps encyclopedias are assuming maybe. Ok you are a collection of free pamphlets on stuff.
What exactly is the prep with cold water shaving? Do you apply cold rags to your face for a couple of minutes the same as you would with hot water shaving?Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
No cold towels - simply a good face splash, rub the water in with my fingers, wet the brush in cold water, use the brush to really rub cold water into my face and the whiskers, then I use the Prorasso pre-shave, then the Prorasso menthol lather, work it well in as normal, and then shave as normal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
Last shave I actually tried a cheap Williams soap puck and it was fine...still a much better shave!!
My prep is essentially non existant, cold water to wet face, rub in a bit of glycerol, larger up shave rinse. I do however usually have a hot shower after, because I need one anyway, but the hot water does feel nice, as I still get a bit if burn but that is due to my technique, got exactly the.same using hot water with a load of prep.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
Try doing whatever you already do, just cold, then remove bits, that's al I did.
No prep, pre shave oils or creams for me, just face lather and go.
Bob
I have tried to love this cold shave idea for years now, giving it a go every now and then.
Alas, it is not for me, a warm and rich lather is just to enjoyable;)
I am with Birnando on this one...I tried again today and its just not for me :( Every time I put the cold brush and its cold lather on my face I missed the soothing warmth that I've grown accustomed to. The shave ended up being ok, not great but not bad although it did knock off about 15 min of prep :) Back to the hot towels and warm scuttle for me!! Another shining example of the diversity the SR shaving brings!
Chris
I should say that I do a bit of post shave after my shower, witch hazel, then proraso green.
Cool water shave, Alum, then rinse with a sink full of cool water with a capful of Dominica Bay rum added, wait till after cleanup of equipment then finish with AS of choice and wax the stash. Fini .
Birnando and Chris
Yea, it is not for everyone but at least you gave it a try and just did not dismiss it out of hand. There are many ways to skin a cat and it is a process of elimination to find which one works for you personally.
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
++1!
I remember that post and I will just have to blame you for getting me started shaving in cold water! It is the second best advice I have gotten for shaving!
My significant other she loves it too!
Going to try a cold shave following the directions of that old guide posted online....then going to try out my new, Cat O Nine Tails aftershave...
Update:
Well, using the fingers to really work the lather into the face really thoroughly is a key. Followed the directions, did that, then applied did another lathering as per instructions, and the whiskers just fell off! Even went ATG from neck to sideburn, so it was a two-pass rather than a three pass shave! Best shave to date - no pre / post shave, just the basics as outlined in the book!
As for the Cat O' Nine Tails, meh...wasn't the flamethrower I expected it to be, really wasn't much different than any other!?!
I do cold, cool, and warm.
It all depends on my time and mood.
This morning tight on time cool water face wash and tap cold shave.
Previous shave post hot shower warm lather.
Of the reasons I got into wet/ straight shaving enjoyment was not at the top of the list.
Now if I have had a day I take the time and pullout all the stops, pamper myself a bit if you will.
My shave has become my time and some days I need it more than others.
Cool, cold, or warm they all have a time and place in my rotation and I enjoy them all.
Certainly, nobody would or should say otherwise. The old saying, it is all good.Quote:
Originally Posted by pfries
Bob
+1 to mood. Cold is nice and so is warm. It all depends. Water temperature, along with what razor, brush, soap, and after shave you use, is just another factor when you decide what today's shave will be.
Curiosity killed the cat...I just ordered a bottle, what do you think about it other than its limited incendiary properties?Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
I've been cold shaving for years, using warm or hot water seems unnatural to me. I picked up the routine years ago, actually in the movie Good Morning Vietnam, when Robin Williams was being orientated in Nam, he was told to use cold water because it reduced irritation in the heat and humidity. I tried it and never looked back. Whatever comes out of the tap, is what I use. Normally I like lots of menthol, and cold water compliments menthol creams and soaps real nice. Enjoy your shaves whatever you use!
Went back to the hot/warm,works for me,I do not like change.
+1 .... I tried the cold shave treatment, and I did get a 'fine' shave. BUT...since I very rarely shave more than 3 times a week (and TIME is not a factor for me!) I really appreciate the ritual and luxury of a nice 'hot shave': hot water, hot wet towel and hot fluffy lather! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Wife coughed up a hair ball, grimaced and told me it smelled like old battery acid and rotting vegetables...so I splashed more on and thanked the Heavens!Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
Seriously, it's like the old Clubman Pinaud, Col Conk, two hundred year old formula, very earthy, definitely different, very old, old school, stands out, not necessarily in a good way. My daughters reaction was that, "I smelled like a dirty hispter."
Not something I would wear to the office or a formal type event....
Hope this helps...
I have been using cold water for about a month now, I am a cold water shaver from now on.
Tried cold water shaving yesterday. 2 day growth. TAOS sandalwood oil pre-shave, Taylor of Old Bond Soap. Dubl Duck, restored by me.
First pass WTG was quite rough, second acrossTG and third Against got better. Overall finish was exceptional, BBS on cheeks, close on neck and chin (As per usual for me). I will have to do another hot shave tomorrow with the same razor for comparison. I will also try a one-day growth to see if that lessens the initial pull. Good to know that it is possible though.
Freeze your lather bowl half full and use that to rub your face after the shave. Not too much, but it feels great.
I think the key to the cold water shave, is to work the lather into the beard with your fingertips. Let the lather set up for a couple of minutes. Wipe off the lather and reapply. Enjoy.
That's what the booklet says, and I agree, I work the lather into my beard with my fingertips thoroughly, then apply another layer with the brush, and shave!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
This seems to be key - both Wayne1963 and Phrank's comments about working the lather in and then re-lathering.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
Not only do you get a better prep, you can get some feel for how the different soaps and creams "work". After a 30 second work-over some are gone, and some are still standing...
First cold shave and Converted. Me too.
My personal routine for the last few years is as fallows...
After shower, fill scuttle with three or four Ice Cubes.
Ice Cube in hand, I rub Ice on to my face until its mostly melted.
Face lather from the soap puck or cream tube.
Durring passes with the razor I rest the loaded brush bristles down in to the ice in the scuttle.
After final passes and a touch up, I once again rub an Ice Cube on my face until it mostly melts. Rinse if needed, cold water of course.
There is a place for gentlemen like us:The Polar Bear Shave Club - Straight Razor Place Forum.
I love the feel of a cold shave, still hot shave on the weekends when I have time.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC
For me, regardless of the temp of the shave, there's nothing like rubbing that Alum block over the face afterwards, feels sooooo good!
I like either a cold or hot shave, but switched to cold water shaving (ambient temperature, not "polar bear style"--although I've done it--) because of the time savings in the morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
When I started with a straight I microwaved water in a microwave for about 3-4 minutes in a pyrex pitcher until the water temperature was approximately 168 degrees, so I wouldn't break my ceramic scuttle. Then I moved to an electric kettle and rubber Marvy mugs because I did crack my scuttle. Many days I had to use a DE because I didn't have time for all this prep.
Initially, I thought I was robbing myself of a "luxury" experience without the hot water, but that's really not the case. It's luxurious when you enjoy yourself and get a superior shave. I don't miss the hot water a bit.
For me personally the day gets off to a more relaxed start with the cold water because I don't have to rush. But there was a day when I believed the water had to be hot, so I understand those who want the heat. I still like my coffee hot and that's not likely to change. :rofl2: