Cold water shaving tips?

[bagman]

We are off to much sunnier climes in the not too distant future for the family holiday and will be shaving every day (or almost)

Any tips for cold water shaving to avoid getting all hot & sweaty (I'll be doing plenty of that generally )

 

[Shave to the grave]

We are off to much sunnier climes in the not too distant future for the family holiday and will be shaving every day (or almost)

Any tips for cold water shaving to avoid getting all hot & sweaty (I'll be doing plenty of that generally )

It's a great way to shave in summer. Just shave as you normally would.

 

[Supermangs]

+1 in terms of shaving as you normally would.

Pack some menthol cream/soap for a fresh, cold feel. Plenty of choices, but if you want something cheap and dependable, you can't go too far wrong with the Proraso Green.

 

[bagman]

Great minds think alike, I am planning to take some Proraso green and the white pre-shave with has a real menthol kick

 

[matteob]

I have never really understood cold water shaving when the onus is always on good prep with a hot towell before a shave to soften the beard. Good luck with it, would be interested in hearing how you get on.

 

[jmudrick]

.. the onus is always on good prep with a hot towell before a shave to soften the beard..

Obviously not everyone buys into that softening the beard theory.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Shave to the grave]

Obviously not everyone buys into that softening the beard theory.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

The skin's wet, the beard's wet, the blade's sharp, the brush & soap has done it's job. You're good to go...

 

[Dreamer]

i prefer soaking my beard with a wet towel even if it is cold...

 

[Supermangs]

I have never really understood cold water shaving when the onus is always on good prep with a hot towell before a shave to soften the beard. Good luck with it, would be interested in hearing how you get on.

From what I have read (facts may be alternative), it's moisture that softens the hair, with the temperature of the water being of minimal impact if any. A hot towel may feel nicer than a cold one, but that's a matter of sensory preference.

Cold water shrinks, rather than dilates capillaries in the skin, thus reducing irritation. That's the theory.

Mostly I shave with cold water on the basis that it makes me feel like I'm SAS. [I have started my stopwatch, and I expect an ex services Scot to be online any second now giving me the benefit of his opinion about making comparisons with life in the military.]

 

[bagman]

I have never really understood cold water shaving when the onus is always on good prep with a hot towell before a shave to soften the beard. Good luck with it, would be interested in hearing how you get on.

I'll do a 14 day trial

 

[Helveticum]

Been shaving with cold water only for over 5 years now. Never looked back. As mentioned before - less irritation, cleaner shave, and better for the skin in the long run. You really don't need all that extra prep crap - keep it simple.

 

[JayGee]

+1 for cold water shaving, can't beat it.
Tepid is fine too. In a really hot climes the cold tends to run tepid.

Proraso green is great IMO, great choice.

 

[riverrun]

↪Here is my take on the ultimate cold water shave. It needs to be a lot warmer though than it is now...

 

[matteob]

I have cold water shaved in the past but not with a DE razor. I did not really butcher myself. It was when I was in Belize in Central America volunteering as we had no hot water. It was using a Mach 3 and King of Shaves Gel. I may give it another try but to me it smacks too much of penance!

 

[jmudrick]

I have cold water shaved in the past but not with a DE razor. I did not really butcher myself. It was when I was in Belize in Central America volunteering as we had no hot water. It was using a Mach 3 and King of Shaves Gel. I may give it another try but to me it smacks too much of penance!

Pro Tip: Proper soap/cream/oil, don't use a Mach 3. No penance.

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[Lucido]

I've tried it and found that cold water makes for a less irritating shave but the razor does tend to tug a bit more than usual and the scent of the soap/cream isn't as noticeable. Personally I split the difference and use lukewarm water all year 'round.