Thread: First Cold Shave - Converted!

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.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

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!

Originally Posted by Phrank

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!

This seems to be key - both Wayne1963 and Phrank's comments about working the lather in and then re-lathering.
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.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

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.

For me, regardless of the temp of the shave, there's nothing like rubbing that Alum block over the face afterwards, feels sooooo good!

Originally Posted by Phrank

I love the feel of a cold shave, still hot shave on the weekends when I have time.

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.

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.