Thread: The advantage of soft water

Today I decided to shave straight from the tap in London -- and the shave was harsher for sure, alum block giving little stings here and there.

So... it just rained today again (the heavens really opened this time) and the water butts are full. I'll bring some in now in a container for my next shave (Tuesday) and will report back.

Today's shave was with rainwater. The results were not as I expected.

The lather made from rain water was 100% better. Great cushion, very easy to whip up, and stayed wet for much longer. Even when it started to dry a little on the skin, it didn't turn into that cakey, bitty, dry soap consistency.

But then the shave. I used the same blade (untouched by hone or paddle since the last shave), same linen, same leather, same shave cream, same scuttle even! Everything was the same. Including time of day. So that's all other variables eliminated.

And the shave was slightly disappointing. It was closer than with hard water, for sure, but it was just as harsh on the skin. I made sure I washed my face with the rainwater before hand to soften up the whiskers.

So there are two possibilities, I'm thinking.
[1] I was heavier in the touch than last time. I may have unconciously tried for a closer shave knowing the water might be softer.
[2] Rainwater in London is not as soft as groundwater in the moors of Devon and Cornwall, filtered through peat etc.

I'm going to try again on Thursday, this time mindful of keeping a light touch.

(Oh, and I'm quite sure that merely being on holiday/vacation is not a variable in my case as I always shave at night, taking my time, and enjoying the moment -- no quick shave in the morning before work for me!)

I always wash well with regular soap and rinse before lathering up for the shave using shaving soap. My skin is oily and does not shave well unless very clean before lathering. I guess I am using a lighter touch when I use rainwater lather. I never thought about it until you mentioned your experience. I keep the brush wet for add-ons as the shave progresses. I did find a neat way to spread blade-accumulated lather. I use the blade like a spatula and smear it where I want to shave next if needed there. It is almost like stropping-only using the face as a strop! It felt like a smoother shave when I did that. This method keeps fingers, towels, and rinse water away from the blade. I guess it could be called Lather Management. I call it Lather Wrangling (like with cattle). We as humans tend to move things about, nothing seems to be in the correct place at the correct time. Ever. Good shave, Robert

I posted this picture on Shavemyface a while ago and thought this might be of interest in this water related thread. This is a picture of our water system at home that treats our well water. While we are blessed with plenty of safe drinkable water, it is very very hard, and also has plenty of iron and organic tannins (we are surrounded by swampy areas). Each "problem" has to be separately treated. We also have a reverse osmosis system under the kitchen.

The system goes in this order:

1. Well water pumped into house into pressure tank (not shown)
2. As water is pumped into the pressure tank, an air pump runs injecting air into the water line. The air oxidizes the iron so it can be filtered.
3. Water enters the mixing tank on the right where the air and water mix (so you don't get air pockets in the pipes)
4. Water goes through the iron filter, this process does not require salt and will back wash after a set amount of gallons.
5. Water softener, self explanatory. Will backwash with brine after set gallons (800).
6. Organic colour (tannin) remover. Will backwash with brine after set gallons (1800). This filter is last in line as it has the most expensive resin and needs to be protected from iron and hard water.
7. UV filter, just in case. Our water has been tested for bacteria and came back negative. With little ones drinking the bathwater and so on, it is a good idea to have.