I have been working with cold water recently (mainly because I have an undersized hot water heater and I run out of hot water while showering). It definitely feels strange but seems to work.
" I can't even remember over the last 50 plus years ever losing hot water." Lucky you!! I can recall at least three times in my life where the place I was living suddenly lost hot water. Even if you've NEVER shaved with cold water, it is likely in your future sometime.
Much prefer warm/hot water......besides,when the outside temperature can be -20 F during Winter months here in NH .....there is no way I'm splashing ice cold water on my face first thing in the morning............... Aaaaaaaaaaah!
I have recently converted to cold water shaves. It's refreshing, invigorating, and seems to really help limit irritation. I don't dislike warm/hot water shaves but cold water seems to do well for me.
Unfortunately when I do a cold water shave it makes the sharpest of blades feel like they are pulling the hairs out with tweezers instead of cutting them. I really do like the way the cold lather and water feel on my face though. And I always finish up with a cold water rinse
Tried a cold water shave for the first time this morning. Really notice a lot less irritation, especially on my neck. I have never been able to shave ATG...too much irritation. Maybe shaving with cold water will allow me to.
Fantastic! I'm very happy it worked nicely for you. Maybe you can try ATG next time very carefully and see if it helps.
Since I've never shaved ATG due to irritation, I'm not really sure how I should do it. Should I go slow with the razor, or normal speed as I would shaving WTG? Recommendations?
I do mine at regular speed but it may take some experimentation for you to find what works best for you. Maybe try it at regular speed first with the cold water and see how it feels and of course watch your angle and pressure. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Tried a cold water shave this morning. Cold face soak with wash cloth, lathered up with cold water, shaved as usual with 2 passes ATG. Cold rinse. Did not get a good of a shave as using a hot face soak. I will admit that the cold soak felt refreshing. Did a hot water face soak, lathered, one more pass and a usual BBS. (with a slight touch up) It seems for me that the initial hot water face soak softens and preps my beard better than a cold soak. Years ago when we had the electric hot water heater when the kids were here, I'd sometimes run out of hot water, and had to wait for it to heat up or shave cold. but now we have a Rinnai gas heater we never run out of hot water.
