Cold water taught me a TON about my R41

**trick420** · 10-26-2011, 07:23 AM

So I decided to give cold water shaving a go. Last week I got my R41, and have been having awesome shaves, but of course, weepers, and some day after pimples now - I'm still trying to figure out if the pimples are from the shave or the MWF - I started new with both the R41 and the fat at the same time - prior I was using Tabac (so maybe the lanolin is causing some pimples?). I also got this after shaving on a 3 day beard, so maybe that contributed? I normally shave daily but was away on a camping trip. But I digress...

The main reason for this post is that I went cold last night and learned a lot about blade angle with the R41. I have been too steep so far, and I figured out that with cold water, when I can feel the cold head of the razor (the blade cap portion) touch my skin, that's the perfect angle for smooth shaving. I can get great shaves regardless, but that cue of feeling the cold metal told me where the sweet spot was. The second it was too high, when I could no longer feel the razor cap, I started getting a bit of pulling, and the smooth ride went away.

So for all you R41 newbies, try cold water and a cold razor and see if that tactile cue of feeling the razor blade cap on your skin doesn't show you the sweet spot.

Oh, and I'm rocking a Med Prep blade with two shaves on it at the moment. I'll retry this experiment with a fresh 7 o'clock yellow or a personna red in a day or two when this med prep is toast.

Just my observations, YRMV.

Jeff

**cfender** · 10-26-2011, 08:13 AM

I've been cold water shaving for several weeks now. Also with the R41. I expect to continue through the winter as well. I know some go warm water in winter. I'm not sure it gives a more effective shave using cold water but I like the cold water rinse between passes. I'm using Proraso cream so the methol and cold water give me a tight, fresh, feeling throughout the shave.

**Chevyguy** · 10-26-2011, 09:06 AM

Just got my R41 yesterday afternoon, think I'll use warm water being that it's 27 degree's outside right now.

Clayton

**Comfortably_Numb** · 10-26-2011, 09:54 AM

You shave outside??

**jakespoppy** · 10-26-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by cfender

.....the methol and cold water give me a tight, fresh, feeling throughout the shave.

It's always made sense to me, since the hair on your arms stands up when you get chilled, that cold water would tighten the skin on your face and make your whiskers stand up for shaving with cold water.

**juvefc** · 10-26-2011, 11:58 AM

Never gave that a try yet but plan to. The R41 is easily my favorite razor.

**bkfist** · 10-26-2011, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Comfortably_Numb

You shave outside??

LOL, that was my first thought, also.

**Chevyguy** · 10-26-2011, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Comfortably_Numb

You shave outside??

Only when I'm replacing House siding

.

Clayton

**deruitem** · 10-26-2011, 07:19 PM

One more R41 thread and I might put it on my Christmas list

**The Chandos** · 10-26-2011, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by trick420

So I decided to give cold water shaving a go. Last week I got my R41, and have been having awesome shaves, but of course, weepers, and some day after pimples now - I'm still trying to figure out if the pimples are from the shave or the MWF - I started new with both the R41 and the fat at the same time - prior I was using Tabac (so maybe the lanolin is causing some pimples?). I also got this after shaving on a 3 day beard, so maybe that contributed? I normally shave daily but was away on a camping trip. But I digress...

What are you using for an aftershave? or are you? I wasn't getting any pimples, or rather razor bumps, until I started using Nivea after shave balm. I quickly stopped using it and it went away. I've used MWF and various other soaps and creams with no issues but that Nivea was definitely giving me the bumps. I haven't had any since.

**JCinPA** · 10-26-2011, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chevyguy

Just got my R41 yesterday afternoon, think I'll use warm water being that it's 27 degree's outside right now.

Clayton

27 degrees already??????

Holy crap, I'm not looking forward to that. I'm living in Chicago for the first time in 30 years. I remember the winters!

**cb91710** · 10-26-2011, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by JCinPA

27 degrees already??????

Holy crap, I'm not looking forward to that. I'm living in Chicago for the first time in 30 years. I remember the winters!

Just move a little to the north and when it's 27 degrees it's downright balmy!

**DaveNJ74** · 10-26-2011, 07:49 PM

SO would you say cold water shaving cuts down on the irritations?

**trick420** · 10-26-2011, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by The Chandos

What are you using for an aftershave? or are you? I wasn't getting any pimples, or rather razor bumps, until I started using Nivea after shave balm. I quickly stopped using it and it went away. I've used MWF and various other soaps and creams with no issues but that Nivea was definitely giving me the bumps. I haven't had any since.

For years I have used Musgo Real aftershave Balm. Works wonders. Lately I have been trying Alum, and TN Dickinson's Witch Hazel. The day I got all the irritation, I used this setup. I am beginning to think it was just bad (Steep) blade angle though - I have been going shallower for the last two days with good results.

Tonight I got bbs and I think I figured out the magic angle for ATG, which has evaded me for most of my shaving life. Tonight I finished with the Alum block and then witch hazel, then instead of breaking out the AS balm, I used Musgo Real Aftershave.

**trick420** · 10-26-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by DaveNJ74

SO would you say cold water shaving cuts down on the irritations?

So far, so good... Definitely less irritation, but I want to go back to warm shaving now that I think I have the angle issue ironed out and see what I get.

**mftoms59** · 10-26-2011, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by trick420

... - prior I was using Tabac (so maybe the lanolin is causing some pimples?)...

Jeff

There is no Lanolin in Tabac Cream or Soap,

From Wiki; Linalool is is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in many flowers and spice plants

also from Wiki; limonene is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon classified as a cyclic terpene. The more common D isomer posesses a strong smell of oranges.

Strictly Tallow-Based

**trick420** · 10-26-2011, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by mftoms59

There is no Lanolin in Tabac Cream or Soap,

From Wiki; Linalool is is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in many flowers and spice plants

also from Wiki; limonene is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon classified as a cyclic terpene. The more common D isomer posesses a strong smell of oranges.

Strictly Tallow-Based

Right. I guess I wasn't clear. I was using Tabac - no lanolin, no irritation, using either an Old type or a fatboy, or straights. When I went to MWF - with lanolin, i started seeing irritation. This is also the time that I started with the R41 though, which is probably more likely the issue. Before Tabac, I used Musgo Real cream, which, if memory serves me, has lanolin. Never had a problem with it, so perhaps the fat isn't the issue.

**alex2363** · 10-27-2011, 05:51 PM

Jeff,great insight on cold water shave.....any more insight?

**alex2363** · 10-27-2011, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by DaveNJ74

SO would you say cold water shaving cuts down on the irritations?

Yes, I shaved tonight with a r41 and Feather blade, I used cold water and just got the BBS of my life no red face.or irritation at all.

**alex2363** · 10-27-2011, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by cfender

I've been cold water shaving for several weeks now. Also with the R41. I expect to continue through the winter as well. I know some go warm water in winter. I'm not sure it gives a more effective shave using cold water but I like the cold water rinse between passes. I'm using Proraso cream so the methol and cold water give me a tight, fresh, feeling throughout the shave.

Agreed, I use prorasso and feather blade, no cuts or irritation at all, best move of my shave life.