cold shaving questions

[paco664]

i am a straight razor shaver.... i have not and have no interest in DE's.... that being said.... i read quite a bit about cold shaving...

in your opinion....

A. what is the benefit of the cold shaving?

B. do you have any issues with the cold raising goose bumps on the face that the subsequent passing of the razor would cause weepers??

C. what are the potential downsides of the cold?

[Go West Young Man]

A. what is the benefit of the cold shaving?
Hot water can make your skin swell up, increasing irritation and cuts and decreasing closeness.

B. do you have any issues with the cold raising goose bumps on the face that the subsequent passing of the razor would cause weepers??
The water shouldn't be THAT cold

C. what are the potential downsides of the cold?
Can be uncomfortable if you're used to a nice hot lather.

[DFSDAILY]

I was a cold water shaver for a while but winter came along and I warmed up the shaves. I'm afraid to say cold lather is no longer an option for me, as I'd rather not shave.

[ackvil]

I have done both cold and warm water shaving. Quite honestly I can use both without any problems. Cold water shaving is faster and takes less prep - at least for me. And as Chris said, it does not swell your skin and seems for me to result in less irritation. I have never had a problem with goose bumps and quite honestly see no downside to using it.

[Coda_]

Ive been cold shaving for about a fortnight now, and I have pretty much eliminated weepers from my routine. I find that it makes my beard stand up straighter, so there is less razor digging occurring...its also exhilarating...

[paco664]

tonight i made a single pass shave with cool water.... no weepers... definitely not a BBS but not bad....

i will give the "cold" water a shot maybe tomorrow...

[gus1942]

First, you have to believe that an erect stiff hair is easier to cut than a soft limp hair. Cold contracts the errector pili muscles of the hair follicle and the hair "stands on end". A good lather permits the blade to slide over gooseflesh and slice the hair at its most proximal base next to the skin. Cold shaving is certainly faster and I DECREASE MY SHAVE BY ONE PASS. There are no negatives other getting a chill in cold weather, but you can just increase water temp. a tad.

[paco664]

earlier today i did a full 2 passes with touchup on the neck area *(i have a very difficult time with the neck area)....

i had a couple weepers and i managed to nick a mole i have *(almost had) on my neck... *(seriously it looked like a crime scene for a bit...)

turned out BBS and sitting here ~5 hours later i have just the tiniest bit of stubble i can barely feel....

i will stick with the COOL water shave.... i did make the lather with slightly warm water.... but it was totally cool when i applied it to my face...

[petr]

stop it. just....stop. it. get a scuttle, warm, soften, and enjoy. anyone who uses cold must have peach fuzz to cut.

[bmathe02]

stop it. just....stop. it. get a scuttle, warm, soften, and enjoy. anyone who uses cold must have peach fuzz to cut.

There are different schools of thought. I like to shoot pool with a pool stick and not shoot-in pool with a rope. Point is I think by not overly softening your hair it stays upright ready to be chopped cleanly like how an axe would cut. Cold water is great. But i suspect it dull your blades out quicker but in all honesty if you shaved prior in your life with cartridges your not fretting over a 20 cent blade being tossed after 3 full 3 pass shaves.

[Go West Young Man]

stop it. just....stop. it. get a scuttle, warm, soften, and enjoy. anyone who uses cold must have peach fuzz to cut.

The alkalinity of the shaving soap does more to soften your hairs than any temp difference in the water you use.