So I've been cold water shaving about a week and the results are surprisingly good.
Unexpected benefit:
Light pressure is not so critical- in fact I find I can apply some pretty decent pressure in places and get very close results.
ATG is more doable for me as well.
I realized I was hijacking the thread so I started another one and will let this one get back on track. My apologies to the OP!
I tried out rinsing with cold water this morning.
The razor I used was a Gem Micromatic Clog-pruf with a nearly new Gem Blue Star blade loaded in it.
I did my normal shaving routine using hot water as usual, but I spashed ice water on my face following my shave and put on some Pinaud Clubman afterwards.
I didn't really notice a significant difference other than it giving a nice cooling sensation and my aftershave stinging slightly more than usual, though that could have something to do with my razor of choice or the fact I'd let my facial hair grow out for a couple of days.
I might try it again, next time I want to pair the ice water with some Aqua Velva.
Hot water to prep face and build lather, cold water to rinse blade during the shave and skin when finished.
Sir, my approach comes from the Master Barbers' experience. In place of hot water you can also use a hot towel before lathering. Warmth is used to soften the beard and allow more comfortable passes of the razor. The final cold rinse is recommended after the shave to close the pores and tighten the skin.What would you say in regards to a hot shower followed by a cool/cold water face rinse just prior to lathering? I've also been using cold water to lather without negative results. I'm very early in this experiment, but given my procedures the cool/cold water rinse after a hot shower, but before shaving, seems to tighten up my skin and give a slightly closer shave than if I used hot/warm water for the face rinse.
Maybe the combo of hot prep/cold shave is best. I've never tried hot prep with cold water during the shave. Very interested to learn more.
Sir, my approach comes from the Master Barbers' experience. In place of hot water you can also use a hot towel before lathering. Warmth is used to soften the beard and allow more comfortable passes of the razor. The final cold rinse is recommended after the shave to close the pores and tighten the skin.
Anyway, experiment yourself and find out what works best for you.
- Cold water shaving:
- Pros:
- Keeps the blade sharper longer by contracting the metal molecules in the blade.
- Hot water shaving:
- Cons:
- Dulls the blade faster by expanding the metal molecules in the blade .