Hot Towel question from a noob.

[forrest]

So, I just finished my 2nd DE shave (I only shave every 1.5 weeks or so). This time was zero nicks/burn but the closeness is not even across my face.

I have been applying pre-shave oil after washing my face in the shower and leaving it on for the rest of the shower until I shave. That is about all the prep I do.

I would now like to start using a hot towel and find that I have several questions. In the FAQ and other sources I find it simply mentions 'hot-towel' without giving any other information on it. Knowing the little I do about wet shaving make be think it can't be that simple at all.

So, here are my questions:

1. What kind of towels do you buy for this (fabric, size, shape, etc). Does it matter?
   
2. How do you get the towels hot? I know, it may seem obvious, but do you just dunk the towel in hot water (how hot?), do you stream them or what?
   
3. I read that people but the towel on top of the lather. I guess this means you only get 1 use out of a towel before having to laundry it. I do laundry about as often as I shave so it could mean having to buy lots of these towels.
   
4. When I splurge and go to my local barber for a straight razor shave, he finishes me off with an ice cold towel. Do the fine gentlemen here find that it is worth the extra effort? If so, do you just keep some in the fridge/freezer?
   
5. You put the before-shave hot towel on top of your lather (according to the one prep-guide I read). If you use a post-shave towel do you put it on top of anything (alum, asb, asc, splash, etc.).

Thanks for any pointers and advice everyone,
--Forrest.

[Straight Arrow]

I use terry cloth hand towels. I fill the sink with hot water, as hot as I can stand it. I fold the towel in a tri-fold, dip it in the water, squeeze some of the water out (burns the hands a little) then wrap it around my face making sure all the whiskers are covered. I leave it on for about a minute. Then I repeat the whole thing two more times. I don't do the towel over lather. I do the towel application before every shave, every day. I think it makes a huge difference in the resultant shave.

[DEmac]

Click here, right now. No really, right now.

[Animator]

WOW what a differnce, the towel on the cream/soap, night and day i tell ya. I thought i had it down.

[mdunn]

In the mornings, when time is at a premium but you still want to use the hot towel method, remember that even if you dont have a nice antique barbers chair in your shave den, you probably have a throne

[Jackson]

No matter when I shave, this is my routine-

1. Splash warm water on face.
2. Apply a good lather-working it in.
3. Apply a hot wet towel - holding it against face a min. or so.
4. Remove lather.
5. Repeat steps 2&3.
6. Relather and do a 4-way shave.
7. Remove excess lather with hot towel-pat dry.
8. Apply a generous amount of Osage Rub and apply another hot towel.
9. Follow with a cold water splash and pat dry.
10. Apply a little moisturizing cream.

Then off to face the world.

[Mr. Gillette]

No matter when I shave, this is my routine-

1. Splash warm water on face.
2. Apply a good lather-working it in.
3. Apply a hot wet towel - holding it against face a min. or so.
4. Remove lather.
5. Repeat steps 2&3.
6. Relather and do a 4-way shave.
7. Remove excess lather with hot towel-pat dry.
8. Apply a generous amount of Osage Rub and apply another hot towel.
9. Follow with a cold water splash and pat dry.
10. Apply a little moisturizing cream.

Then off to face the world.

+1..EXACTLY...except for 8-10. I do a wash-- hot towel, then a cold water rinse, and I'm a glutton for punishment/traditionalist/old fart...just a good splash of Thayer's Witch Hazel, then off to the shower. After that, Slap on something Classic like Pinaud Clubman, Royall Bay Rum...and I'm all a-tingle!