Thread: Cold shaving

I've been cold-water shaving (as noted, "cold" meaning as it comes from the cold-water tap) for a few weeks now. No problems, in fact I like it better -- seems to leave my face feeling better.

Now bear in mind that it's summer in the Midwest, which differs from hell mainly in having higher humidity. We'll see how it is in four or five months.

~Rich

Yeah, I wouldn't say freezing water, but I turn the knob all the way to the right and use whatever is coming out of the faucet. It's usually pretty cold, more so in the winter.

I don't go exactly by the pamphlet: I skip the finger massage part. Basically, I just do what I've always done except I use cold water instead. I can shave at night without a shower or hot towels since they aren't required, which is much more convenient for me. And on a hot day the cold water feels really nice.

Do we have another convert?

Originally Posted by BingoBango

I don't go exactly by the pamphlet: I skip the finger massage part.

Forty or so years ago I got my first barber shop shave. The barber gave me the hot towel and one heck of a finger massage of lather. I don't remember which was first but I was surprised at how vigorously he massaged the lather into the whiskers. So much so that I asked him about it. He said that it helped to prepare them for the shave. I personally think it is an important step since it is the only prep I do now. Working very well for this old guy.

i rinse my blade with cooler water anyway.. i've noticed that if i rinse with water that is too hot my razor will practically burn my face when i go to make the next pass.... especially with my de..

also.. i was thinking about combining this with the robeson bayrum prep method.. when you rinse the lather off.. apply bayrum and then re-lather.. do you normally rinse after the fingering and before the relathering?

Errnest.
There are a number of ways that you can avoid using cold water in camping, it's my scientific speciality to power phrase a wise old man.

Do you have a hat?
Wide brim, akubra, tilley etc?
Garbage bag
And a towel & face cloth

Fill the hat with garbage bag and water, spread it all out so its a good sink, you can tie this on some akubras to your legs so it is self supporting. Heat a good DRY (DRY) stone over fire. place face cloth in sink, then hot stone to heat water, about a gold ball size...
Put the towel over your head and sink and get a steaming.

You may have to experiment to get the temperature comfortable, but thats your hot water aspect, once the water is hot you can fill a regular mug and lather as normal, floating the mug in the sink, you should not have enough water that this level goes over the mug. That will keep the mug and lather warm.

No hat, dig a hole...

Oh, the face cloth is to hold the Red Hot stone so it doesn't melt the bag. or the hat.

As you quickly lose heat in outdoor shaving. it's important to keep it warm, even with a mach three this is important...

Hope this helps you out.

And it raises me a question. Please go to razor forum and answer me there what good travel straights are available?

I was in Europe for a month and it was hot in some areas without a/c and I used cold water to shave and it was refreshing.

Pabster

Or you could just "go native" (i.e., don't shave) when you camp, which is what I do, especially when backpacking, when weight and space are at a premium. But it sounds like you're car-camping, and I know some guys just can't go a day without shaving.

Though I also occasionally like the cold-water shave, couldn't you just heat the water on a Coleman stove or your coffee-pot over the fire, then use as needed in your mug/bowl? Another thing my family does when backpacking in cold weather (or a high elevation like Yellowstone), since we have to treat the drinking water anyway, is just boil up some water on the camp stove to pour (carefully!) into Lexan bottles for a hot-water bottle. Keeps us toasty at night, and you have potable water in the morning. That's probably off-topic, but I love to talk about camping, backpacking techniques. Enjoy your shaves whatever you do! Aaron

I shave cold water all year round , you shoudnt have a problem get some from bottle rinse ya face jus to wet ya whiskers mix ya lather an go for it , the best part is rinsing off with cold water , I love the feeling here in winter as now the tap water is very cold after a shave I take me shirt off and give me face a good rinse to remove all soap , the cold water makes my sink pull tight like rawhide on a drum , a splash of witchhazel and Im done , I belive it improves my complection either way its great way to start the day

I just remembered another tip I aquired through a hobo.
KY jelly, it has it's own use and about ten others to the creative minded.
It's a great basic slicker, cheap as chips and available almost everywhere.
I have not tried it, hot or cold, but it's a possibility

KY jelly and ice cubes. The mind blossoms with images.