I read a couple articles about it. Seems like a tough sell in spite of its merits. What's the consensus here?

So popular it has its own thread and group of cold water diehards.

I'm not a fan.

Really? I did a Search but came up empty.

I have a tough beard, along with sensitive skin. I switched to cold water shaves years ago, and won't look back. Shaving with cold water has greatly reduced the redness I got and when using an aftershave with a good amount of alcohol, the "sting" is almost non-existent.

https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-fellowship-of-cold-water-shavers.50580/

Beat me by a minute

Sorry, but for me warm lather etc softens my beard and gives me a wonderfully smooth shaving experience. Now if I was out living off the land or residing in a cave the cold water would simply be a thing of necessity. Whereas I'm happy for all who enjoy "cold shaving" to me it's "why"?

I figure barbers have been using warm lather and hot towels for decades, they prolly know a thing or three.

Good article about cold water shaves..............
https://sharpologist.com/cold-water-shaving-2/

This from the article...

"Now, for your face. With cold water, your beard will stiffen as opposed to being soft. When you make your first cut, there will be a slight tug, but is to be expected. Instead of the razor gliding over your whiskers, this tugging motion is the razor cutting the whisker at it’s closest. Your face will thank you, as you won’t have razor burn or bumps, your equipment will last longer, and you’ll stay quite the cool customer during the summer months."

This mentions you can expect a slight tug. I don't want any kind of tug. With a proper prep, to include a hot shower just prior to the shave, a good lather from a good soap, a blade your face agrees with, and a razor you know how to handle, with my warm water shave I have no tugging, no burn, and no bumps. My face thanks me.

"Slight tug". not for this guy

By the way, the article mentions that with a cold water shave you will "stay quite the cool customer during the summer months." And during the winter months

If the blade does NOT tug when warm shaving, it doesn't necessarily follow that the blade is gliding over the hair. Perhaps the hair is simply softer, and therefore cuts easier.

The blade is certainly not gliding over my beard, but cutting it. I'll admit to not fully comprehending what the article's author was saying about that glide.

I'm with you - warm water softens my whiskers for a more comfortable shave.

But that's me.

As I say... It's your shave. Enjoy it your way.

So @Jim O , have you tried a cold water shave yet?

In the hot months I shave with cold tap water and no issues. I do prep my whiskers with either Nivea Face Cream before I jump in the shower or Proraso pre-shave. Give it a try and see.

Yes, once! I forget where I posted it. There was more "tug" than with warm shaving. Kind of alarming at first. I got used to it though. I admit I had less nicks with CWS, but I'm not sure it's for me. I used my E2.

Yup.
I don't like the tug.
Technique will eventually eliminate the nicks.

I shave with warm water and rinse with cold water. To the OP, I am glad to read that the nicks are getting fewer. IMO, it's the angle, pressure (lack thereof) and preparation---regardless cold or warm, that'll provide the most comfortable shave and protect the skin from nicks. Nicks can occur when you are scraping the skin, rather than slicing off the stubble.

I think scraping the skin is unavoidable, particularly if you're doing 3 passes, and going for BBs.

If you're going for BBS (chasing the baby), then, yes, you're more than likely to get nicks.
I let the baby come to me. I don't scrape my face, yet I still do three passes. Every once in a while the baby catches me, and I'm still nick-free.
I think many would agree. Improved technique results in improved shaves.

I was surprised to hear people feel tugging when cold water shaving, I have not experienced any tugging. I guess I am not a pure cold water shaver, I shave after my shower and prep my face with warm water. My it is prepping with warm water that keeps my cold shaves tug free.