Thread: Pre-Shave?

So I have been doing this for only a little while, but I have definatly grown preferential or accustomed to some things during my pre-shave. I have a fairly normal pre-shave I think, Just curious if yall find the same to be true for yourselves. When I do my prep I usually do a hot towel, when I do not, it really screws up my shave outcome, it's never as close.

Anyone else have the same issue?

Absolutely, pre-shave preparation is as important as having a sharp razor. Even if I take a long hot shower, I still apply hot towels prior to the shave. In fact, I found "pre-lathering" followed by an additional hot towel softens my beard-especially on my chin, preventing even a "scary sharp" razor from pulling.

IMO, the key to consistently good shaves is being CONSISTENT!!

Originally Posted by paulallen

Anyone else have the same issue?

I do. If there's no shower and no hot towel, there is no shave - only pain. I have not attempted such a shave in long time.

I usually don't shower before shaving but I make sure that my beard is well hydrated.

What I usually do is that I put a nice coating of shaving cream on...strop the razor then do a few how towels, rinse under water apply some more shaving cream and shave.

How do you guys get your towels hot enough? I find that my bathroom sink only gets so hot (the hot water heater is set to a certain point for a reason). I can't get to the kitchen for fear of disturbing the wife (or even worse...waking the baby!) I've not been using hot towels for this reason.

Also, how do you apply them? Lean into them? Lay them on your ace and "look up" for a while?

Is there a hot towel wiki?

Maybe that is what my shaving routine is missing!

I was kind of wondering the same thing... I can get my towels pretty darn hot but they cool off very quickly as well..

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

How do you guys get your towels hot enough? I find that my bathroom sink only gets so hot (the hot water heater is set to a certain point for a reason). I can't get to the kitchen for fear of disturbing the wife (or even worse...waking the baby!) I've not been using hot towels for this reason.

Also, how do you apply them? Lean into them? Lay them on your ace and "look up" for a while?

Is there a hot towel wiki?

Maybe that is what my shaving routine is missing!

If you have a coffeepot you could heat up some water in your bathroom that way. Keep the electrical cord away from water though - safety first!

When I did use a hot towel I get it wet under the faucet. Squeeze out the excess water and put it in a micro wave dish. I find that in my particular micro wave 45 seconds gets it as hot as I can stand it. This will vary from microwave to microwave so be careful if you try it.

I crank back in a lazy boy recliner and sit there until the towel is cooled off. Yes it is a hassle and that is why I rarely do it anymore. I usually shave after I shower. Whether it is after the shower or not I wash my face vigorously twice with hot tap water first. This is enough for me to get a comfortable shave.

BTW, when I do the hot towel I use bar towels. They are thinner then an normal face towel and that will make a difference in the heating time and the general feel. When I shave later today I will go ahead and do the hot towel again just to see if it makes a significant difference.

I put a pot of water on the stove, and pour the boiling water over my towel in a bowl and let it cool while I strop and make up a lather. Lather then hot towel treatment. Most fo the time that is. actually only twice have I shaved without doing the Hot Towel.

I have no children and the hot water heater will give me about 125F at the faucet. I generally apply 2 hot towels and hold them on my chin and neck until they cool off. At that point I lather my entire face,then apply one more hot towel.

Rinse with hot water, lather only where I am shaving-usually about 1/3 to 1/2 my face. This is done regardless if I shower or not. My beard is like 22gauge WIRE and even with a SCARY SHARP blade-no prep=no comfort. Time taken at this task is time well spent.