Results 1 to 10 of 28
Thread: Using cold water instead of warm
Hybrid View
-
10-12-2009, 02:37 PM #1
I think it will be possible and satisfying with a lot of practice.... good luck, and keep us posted!
-
10-12-2009, 02:46 PM #2
I had read, or heard, somewhere that one should rinse their razor in cold water. I thought I'd give it a try; so while I was doing the cold water thing, I did the whole shave with cold water. The shave was quite wonderful! My skin afterwards felt very smooth and lacked any irritation at all, of course most of my shaves are just that (irritation free).
I wont do this again, but if I go camping and don't have hot water, I know the shave experience will be just fine.
Steve
-
10-12-2009, 02:46 PM #3
Good luck, on your self imposed challenge. I don't think if you peeked it would be considered cheating, if it means avoiding a big gash in the neck or lip. Are you planning on practicing with you eyes closed on little sections of your face, every day, before you go for the full no mirror shave?
nate
-
10-12-2009, 02:48 PM #4
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Arizona
- Posts
- 325
Thanked: 127One of the things you have to ask yourself is "why do we recommend and use hot water then"?
It is always recommended that we pay particular attention to preparation when shaving. That prep consists of very hot towels laid on the beard and then again with soap applied we lay the hot towel on again. So why do we do this?
The hair folicles are covered with a protective outer shell called Kerotin. If you were to look at a hair under a microscope you would see this. It looks somewhat like the skin of an Armidillo, running the length of the hair folicle. When we apply the hot towel to the beard, we essentially cause these to open up and allow the inner core of the hair to absorb the warm water. Thus softening up the hair itself. When we do it again with lather applied, we create a situation where the inner part of the hair can absorb the oils and softeners and thus make the hair folicle soft and more easy to cut with a razor.
Can we shave with cold water? Sure we can. In fact if we rinse with cold water, you will almost never have razor burn. But shavig with cold water will most likely never allow you to get that BBS shave you are looking for.
Ray
-
10-12-2009, 03:01 PM #5
Great explanation Ray.
When the book was written hot water was not a faucet-turn away. Mirrors were expensive, and not always obtainable as the "local" Target was more than a short buggy ride yonder. It was reasonable to suggest that you ought know how to shave sans these luxuries.
I spent two weeks in a 500 year old farm house in the French country-side this summer. I only had straights and while I had warm water, the mirror in my bath was small and at an odd location. I shaved largely without its benefit.
I posted once before that I find myself closing my eyes and going by feel and muscle memory. This isn't intentional and I look more than not, but found it useful at the farm house.
Oh, for the record. I really hate to go without piping hot water and lather. I'm a scuttle fan. J
-
10-12-2009, 03:11 PM #6
Wonderful idea!
You do it, and let us know. I'm pretty sure I'm willing to live this one vicariously.
-
10-12-2009, 03:37 PM #7
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
- Location
- In your attic, waiting for you to leave
- Posts
- 1,189
Thanked: 431?
An old master around here(who shall remain nameless) told me early on that I should stay with the razor that I was with and perfect my technique until I could shave with it blindfolded before moving on to something else. I'm sure that it would have certain advantages.
Regards
-
10-12-2009, 11:02 PM #8
In the 1830s using cold water was a practical matter for most. Hot water was a luxury.
No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero
-
10-13-2009, 12:45 AM #9
As said on the hot water from me too dude, cold is fine if you have to or like a challange which you indeed seem to, as for the no mirror bit: post some pics just after please?..lol
I always always rinse my razor with cold water when I shave, a long time ago I was told the cold shrinks the edge ever so slightly and makes it smoother on the skin, I am not sure how much an edge shrinks under cold water, but it certainly makes a difference to my face, I also always do my final rinse with cold water and rarely get any burn, so the only area I think you will feel any downside is beard prep, heck what did they have in the 19th century? no Taylors of old bond street then! did they even have soap? I dont know but I doubt it? are you gonna go the whole hog and only use the materials they had back then?
-
10-19-2009, 08:05 PM #10
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Falls Church, Virginia
- Posts
- 1,101
Thanked: 190Cold water gives a good shave, but hot water gives a much better BBS shave. Done both.
The cold water shave was done during warm and hot weather. I have not tried it during the winter time though.
Pabster