Thread: Hot or Cold water?

Hi Guys,

I got my first razor last week and have had a few shaves with it now and am slowly learning.

I was talking to someone at work the other day and he said he remembers reading somewhere that you should use cold water to rinse the razor and warm water to prep your face. Is this right?

Thanks for the help.
Tim

You can use whatever you have on hand. Cold water may require you to wipe the blade on a wet sponge or some sort of towel. Think about it, back in the day they didn't always have hot water to bath in or shave it...but still kept shaven and clean.

That is a good point! I think I'll give cold ago and see what I like best!

I prep with warm/hot water and rinse the razor with cold during my shave (yes I am very careful not to hit the tap). When I am done shaving I use hot water to rinse the blade off for the final time and dry the entire blade and scales. I think the hot water will heat up the razor and help dry off any leftover water.

Originally Posted by tim85a

That is a good point! I think I'll give cold ago and see what I like best!

Now you are in the spirit of things! I personally don't care for a cold shave, until the final rinse of my face. Find what works for you. One of our more seasoned mods started a thread about cold water shaving & IIRC, he prefers a cold shave. As long as the end result is a close and comfortable shave, who cares how you arrived at it!

Hot water will clean the blade better than cold water. other than that I see no differences.

Try em both and in mix it up. Different things work for different people. And, some better than others.

I started off cold shaving without a hot prep and in recent months switched to water from a kettle and face cloth before and between each pass.

Both work, hot seems to be bringing out certain qualities out of soap and creams I had in stock... YMMV

There is a reason professional barbers always start with a hot towel. It opens the pores and softens the skin and wiskers. Cold water does the opposite and tightens up the face and seals minor nicks. Follow with aftershave for a great cooling feel.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

You can use whatever you have on hand. Cold water may require you to wipe the blade on a wet sponge or some sort of towel. Think about it, back in the day they didn't always have hot water to bath in or shave it...but still kept shaven and clean.

Also there were times they had no water at all. It's been a long time but I have dry shaved. no fun.

Originally Posted by rhensley

Also there were times they had no water at all. It's been a long time but I have dry shaved. no fun.

I've been known to swipe a few passes in the dark watching tv. Back of the neck more frequently, though.

No biggie. More about feel... of course, angles, pressure, etc... All those years of shaving in the shower without a mirror.