Advice: Shaving in hot weather = Sticky blade

[Tom Ford]

Hi guys,

The temperature here in Melbourne has gotten consistently warm over the past week, 30-34 degrees, and its great that summer is on the way.

However since the warmer weather has started I've noticed that my blade seems to be jumping and sticking with each stroke. There hasn't been any change in prep, shave cream, lather, and I replaced the blade this morning and had the same result? Because of the skipping/almost sticky feeling I don't complete all my passes out of fear the blade is going to get stuck/skip at some point and deliver a HUGE cut/knick.

I was in Brisbane about a month ago, and the warmer weather produced the same results. At the time I ignored it, and thought being in a different state, hotel room and different water would obviously contribute to different results.

However now that I'm back home, I'm having second thoughts.

So my question is can hot weather affect the quality of my shave? Could additional oil from my skin because of the excessive external temperature after a shower be causing this? If so, what do you recommend?

For the purpose of the questions here's my normal prep

• Soak brush in sink, and place hot water in my bowl
• Shower - cleanse face
• Dry off, remove brush from sink and hot water from bowl
• One good squeeze of brush, then add cream (dip + twist)
• Make lather, add water where appropriate
• Splash my face with hot water and apply lather
• Rinse blade under hot water before shaving
• Shave

Totally confused as to why this is happening, and I hope you guys maybe able to shed some light on it.

 

[mdunn]

could be the sweat/oil getting between your face and the lather.

maybe rinse your face between each pass?

 

[Tom Ford]

Thanks mdunn. I quickly rinse my face with hot water after each pass, should I cleanse as well?

 

[cfriend]

30-34 is still winter 'round these parts.

 

[Tom Ford]

30-34 is still winter 'round these parts.

I totally envy you...

 

[Luc]

30-34 is still winter 'round these parts.

That's Celsius, not Fahrenheit

Anyhow, don't have those problems. I'm guessing my bathroom isn't as warm as yours!

Have you tried superlather? I don't think it will change anything... Worth a shot!

 

[Tom Ford]

That's Celsius, not Fahrenheit

Anyhow, don't have those problems. I'm guessing my bathroom isn't as warm as yours!

Have you tried superlather? I don't think it will change anything... Worth a shot!

No, I haven't. I'll definitely give it a shot. Does it make a big difference?

Interesting that not people around here so far, have experienced this problem.

 

[Andy]

I find that dipping the brush tips in water before I lather for each pass stops the blade sticking, I also find that I need to add a little extra water when making lather in this weather.
Not liking this heat one bit.... 39c (102f) in Adelaide today

 

[Tom Ford]

I find that dipping the brush tips in water before I lather for each pass stops the blade sticking, I also find that I need to add a little extra water when making lather in this weather.
Not liking this heat one bit.... 39c (102f) in Adelaide today

Thanks Andy, I'll give it a try. I'm happy that someone else has experienced the same problem.

39c, man its starting to get real warm, real quick. I think we're in for another scorching summer

 

[Luc]

No, I haven't. I'll definitely give it a shot. Does it make a big difference?

Interesting that not people around here so far, have experienced this problem.

Superlather has a tendency to protect a bit more than 'regular' lather. It always depends what you're using but, not having the problem here, I'm just throwing the idea out there...

 

[Sodapopjones]

Superlather has a tendency to protect a bit more than 'regular' lather. It always depends what you're using but, not having the problem here, I'm just throwing the idea out there...

Its thicker thats for sure depending on what you use, Williams makes a great base.

 

[Luc]

Its thicker thats for sure depending on what you use, Williams makes a great base.

Williams is an import in Oz (unless I'm mistaken)... But yes, superlather is usually thicker if your lather is right!

 

[Sodapopjones]

Williams is an import in Oz (unless I'm mistaken)... But yes, superlather is usually thicker if your lather is right!

Well whatever tallow based soaps you have down under should suffice, I would think a glycerin based soap wouldn't make it thicker but slicker.

 

[Luc]

Well whatever tallow based soaps you have down under should suffice, I would think a glycerin based soap wouldn't make it thicker but slicker.

There's a black market of Mennen shaving stick with tallow at the moment