Rain Water to shave?

**jasonboyd** · 11-01-2009, 09:03 AM

I was just reading Topgumby's thread about a week of goo, and I noticed a link to "Washington State Wet Shavers", then is said something about got to use the rain for something. This leads to my question. Has anyone ever tried using rain, or even distilled water to shave with? Heat and use this "pure" water instead of water from the tap that has been chemically treated?

**jsrdrnr** · 11-01-2009, 09:04 AM

Now that is a thought. May have to try that one sometime but I would need a lot of water!!!

**s1mp13m4n** · 11-01-2009, 09:06 AM

I have not tried this but I want to try it. I am not sure what difference it would make but just like everything else in wet shaving....a change in water might just make that little small difference to take your shave over the top.

**NoFair** · 11-01-2009, 09:07 AM

All the water at our mountain cabin is rain water so yes

Works fine haven't noticed any difference to tap water, but our water contain a lot less chemicals than what is normal in the US..

**Will P.C.** · 11-01-2009, 09:18 AM

I have used snow before to shave. I melted it down and boiled it. I would imagine that tap water is safer to use though. My friend has a PhD in ecology and he said that rain water and snow is pretty nasty water.

**brianw** · 11-01-2009, 09:25 AM

Here in the northeast, my guess is the acid in the rainwater would melt your whiskers

**kingfisher** · 11-01-2009, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Will P.C.

I have used snow before to shave. I melted it down and boiled it. I would imagine that tap water is safer to use though. My friend has a PhD in ecology and he said that rain water and snow is pretty nasty water.

This.

Rainwater is probably not a good idea to shave with. Tap water is a much safer bet. Distilled water works fine, and for people with really hard water, distilled can be an improvement over tap water.

I, for one, wouldn't want to be putting rain water on my face, particularly when there is a potential for nicks/weepers, and other breached of skin integrity, which is your first line of defense against the creepy-crawlies.

**NoFair** · 11-01-2009, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Will P.C.

I have used snow before to shave. I melted it down and boiled it. I would imagine that tap water is safer to use though. My friend has a PhD in ecology and he said that rain water and snow is pretty nasty water.

Melting snow for water is a bad idea around cities, but no problem otherwise.

You people are way to scared of creepy crawlies (I'm a biologist

)

**Topgumby** · 11-01-2009, 09:45 AM

The rainwater I use in the Pacific Northwest has all been collected and cycled through the water district.

I do think there are big differences in the tapwater available in different parts of the US, much less the world. I always cringed a little when I drank tapwater in the Camp Pendleton area, because it had such a funky taste compared to the water up in the Seattle area.

I'm pretty sure differences in water hardness make a difference in how fast blade edges corrode and how soaps and creams lather.

I agree that in this day and age, if I was collecting water in a rainbarrel to use for my shave, I'd filter it if I could, or at least boil it. Some of the most breathtakingly beautiful, clear, musically babbling streams in the world are around here, and they will supply you with a truly nasty case of Giardiasis if you make like Dan'l Boone and drink straight from them.

**michiganlover** · 11-01-2009, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Topgumby

Some of the most breathtakingly beautiful, clear, musically babbling streams in the world are around here, and they will supply you with a truly nasty case of Giardiasis if you make like Dan'l Boone and drink straight from them.

For those not in the know, getting Giardia is not something you ever want to experience. You will suffer massive dehydration, and non-stop explosive diarrhea for up to six weeks!!

**Millay** · 11-01-2009, 10:26 AM

I live in the uk and have the river ems running around near me.

As a child out all day on my bike etc I thought nothing about filling my water bottle with the river water and drinking it, never did me any harm, admittedly the streams ran pretty quickly...

Boiling is always a good idea, but i wouldnt worry to much..

just need a scientist to tell me im mad and lucky to be alive now

Paul J. Fiske · 11-01-2009, 10:27 AM

Have used it while out in the "boonies" around the world. Be careful some rain water can be harsh. Not really much different than clean "tap water.
The Old Curmudgeon

**WhosYerBob** · 11-01-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by jasonboyd

I was just reading Topgumby's thread about a week of goo, and I noticed a link to "Washington State Wet Shavers", then is said something about got to use the rain for something. This leads to my question. Has anyone ever tried using rain, or even distilled water to shave with? Heat and use this "pure" water instead of water from the tap that has been chemically treated?

Funny you say that, as my wife and I were just talking about shaving with rain water yesterday. We have a large cistern of rain water but I don't want to draw anything out of it due to bird droppings and the like - not even if I boiled and filtered it before shaving. Maybe if I had another source to draw from though.

I have tried softened water, distilled water and reverse osmosis (RO) water. I think distilled and RO deliver the best results, but that doesn't include rain water in the mix.

**auk1124** · 11-01-2009, 06:01 PM

I suppose rain water could be used for a somewhat decent shave, but it would not be nearly as satisfying as using the tears of one's conquered enemies.

**Boba Fett** · 11-01-2009, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by auk1124

I suppose rain water could be used for a somewhat decent shave, but it would not be nearly as satisfying as using the tears of one's conquered enemies.

You have enemies to conquer? Where did you find them?