Good morning all, In my quest to get an acceptably close everyday shave with NO irritation I found that I have fallen into a routine I didn't quit understand. When I tried a 3 or even four pass shave I would end up with weepers, a bad burn, and still have some stubble on my trouble sposts. I found I got my best results if I did a two pass (straight down and straight up). Then rinsed with cold water, dried my face, and applied after shave. I would let my face rest while I dressed for the day, then come back and dry shave the problem areas when the wiskers were dry and stiff again. It worked great and no irritation or burn but I couldn't understand why. Then I read an article on cold water shaving on The Art of Manliness website and it made sense. The thinking is that the warm water softens the hair and it lays down and is actually more difficult to cut. When you use cold water the hairs are standing up straight and get cut instead of tugged and dragged. So this morning I tried a real cold water shave before I showered. Wet face with cold water, Cremo on a bore brush, 2 pass with touch ups. Then shower. Supprisingly it worked great and my skin feels invigorated and tight. Might be my new routine!!! Has anyone else experimented with cold water shaving?
I have already dispensed with the showering before the shave and that seemed to make a difference in the quality of the shave (for the better). So the website suggestion seems to make sense, will give it a try tomorrow and let you know.
I think it depends on how each man's beard grows. I don't like shaving with cold water, but I can understand why it works for those whose hair grows closer to parrallel with the skin than my own.
I have tried cold water shaving before, and did not see any difference between it and hot water shaving. That is with shaving before showering. Shaving after showering always gave me closer shaves.
Most people who spent time in the military have some experience with cold water shaving. It wasn't something I enjoyed.
Tried it today, no more or less weepers but the two day old blade did seem to have more drag than usual, not really the way to go for me. It brought back memories of shaving in Vietnam which I had forgotten about until this morning.
Tried it tonight and got a pretty decent shave with no cuts and little irritation. It wasn't the most comfotable shave but it has been one of the closest I've had for a while. I think I will continue this and see how it compares over time.
This time of year, cold shaving doesn't seem to give my Tabac soap enough lubrication. Living in Phoenix, it will soon be time when cold water doesn't come out of the tap for 6 months, I'll try it again then.
i remember trying this years ago (back in the mach 3 days) after watching Good Morning Vietnam... i think Robin Williams character made an announcement about the virtues of cold water shaving reducing razor burn and nicks. I remember being able to do it alright, but it was pretty uncomfortable for sure. Personally I rarely shower before the shave for two reasons: (1) it doesn't seem to make much difference in shave quality for me, and (2) i have semi-long (shaggy is probably the best word), very straight, fine/thin hair and if i allow it to air dry while I shave I lose any chance of styling it in such a way that I'm presentable to the world. Therefore my hair routine has to take precedence as soon as i get out of the shower. Call me girly, but at the end of the day I gotta look good!
