Thread: Optimal beard preparation

Yesterday I came across this tidbit of information about beard preparation:

"An effective shave is dependent on the following:
1) preparation of the beard, i.e. hydration of the hair by use if soap and warm water. Ideally the preparation time is reported to be 4 minutes at 49 degrees celcius. (120f)

.. Wetting of the hair fibre allows it to swell and soften and to lower the force required to cut the hair, reducing discomfort during shaving."

From Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps, 10th edition

I found it interesting with the exact time given at precisely that temperature. I do not mess with wet warm towels or any of that, just a face wash ahead of shaving, so some days my beard preparation might be a little less than this. Just thought it was interesting and that it might serve as a guideline.

Fumblefingers strike again! Title was to say BEARD, not bear - of course

Yes, of course.....also, the only way to cook a steak is medium rare, you should only use brand "X" for your laundry, and finally, of course, toothpaste should only be squeezed from the end of the tube, never the middle......

Call me a heretic, but I prefer my water at 46.7 degrees C and I find 3 minutes and 42 seconds to be far superior.

With my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, i will now crawl back under my rock.

I have yet to try, but I suppose a good way to prep a bear is a good old fashioned BBQ

Is beer good to bear?


Interesting info, I usually don't use hot towels, few times I do I leave them in as hot water as I get from the tap for a couple minutes before putting them to my face for about 2 x 30 seconds, any more than that the towels start to get cold.

I generally tend to avoid bears. I also somehow mange to misspell my subject tags as well. Oh well, you got my attention with the "bear" line anyway.

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I have yet to try, but I suppose a good way to prep a bear is a good old fashioned BBQ

Bear meat tends to be tough and stringy. Getting the hide off quickly helps, but it's still not like a good cut of beef. BBQ is a good way to prepare it, as is slow cooking in a crock-pot, roasting, canning, or using it for ground meat products like sausage. Anything to make it more tender is good...

As to beards, I just use hot water and soap. I don't spend a lot of time on it. I would love to see the documentation of the experiments that led to the conclusion above... We could put Jimbo to work on analyzing it.

Originally Posted by str8fencer

Fumblefingers strike again! Title was to say BEARD, not bear - of course

I fixed it for ya

I was just getting ready to start typing out my old recipe for Bear Meat Green Chili

Also I agree with the prep, I have never really timed or checked the temp, but I have found that after a good long hot towel, if I lather, and then let that sit under a long hot towel a second time... That is what does the best for me
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