Thread: Newbie to the Cold Water Shave

I read one of Bob's cold water shave threads years ago and haven't turned the hot tap on since. I do like it and get the shave I desire. In the winter the cold tap is very cold but I continue out of discipline. In the summer it's pleasant.

I used some knoble otter today in the scuttle with cold water. I had no issues making lather. I may be sticking with the cold water for a while. My skin feels nice and i dont see or feel any down side to using the cold water. Wish i had done this sooner.

Yesterday after a long hot day painting my boys nursery exterior roof fascia and cladding (I do voluntary maintenance there) I decided to have a cold water shave out of curiosity.
I'd had a few beers so thought I'd best skip the straight and use a DE!

I used MDC original, with its lovely lavender and mint scent makes for a wonderful summers shave.
Now, the shave itself felt different, maybe it's psychological but the DE didn't feel as keen, yes it was refreshing and I had a BBS after it was just lacking something, not sure, but lacking nonetheless.

I may give it a go with a straight sometime but I can't see me doing it often. By the way I always finish my shave with a cold water splash just for that refreshing feeling.

At least you gave it a go again.

Bob

I've been using cold water every time still. I'm finding my face feels a little better after the shave. Don't know why. I'd have never guessed it would be better. For me anyway.

Well, the theory with cold water shaving is that hot water further irritates already irritated skin. I dunno, seems to work that way for me.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Well, the theory with cold water shaving is that hot water further irritates already irritated skin. I dunno, seems to work that way for me.

Bob

I looked into this the other day funny enough. It's seems you are spot on when it comes to irritation as hot water, especially on the old fizzog, is incredibly drying and can strip away the natural oils.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

I looked into this the other day funny enough. It's seems you are spot on when it comes to irritation as hot water, especially on the old fizzog, is incredibly drying and can strip away the natural oils.

For me, using cold water goes back to when I was starting to use and hone my own straight razors. So between having a poor shaving and stropping technique plus very iffy edges, irritation was a constant issue. Tried cold water shaving and immediately the irritation was greatly reduced. As the shaving, stropping and edges improved the irritation virtually disappeared. Cold water shaving might be part of the reason I can do a daily 4 pass shave. I am used to using cold water now and figure why stop as everything seems to be working.

I really think there is a lot of folklore regarding the use of hot water and hot towels and what that does in shaving. OTH you use what works for you.

Bob

I can say I've never tried a cold water shave. But I did do a no prep shave last night. A quick wetting of the face, lather, and shave. Also a razor that I'd shaved with, that hadn't been stroped before or after the last shave. All went very smooth. Hmmm.!?

Originally Posted by outback

I can say I've never tried a cold water shave. But I did do a no prep shave last night. A quick wetting of the face, lather, and shave. Also a razor that I'd shaved with, that hadn't been stroped before or after the last shave. All went very smooth. Hmmm.!?

That is my normal prep in the summer months. I add a hot towel during the colder months. I have gotten 2 or 3 shaves without stropping without any pulling, but seldom skip the stropping before and after the shave.