Hot razor for better performance?

[Zap85]

So I was shaving with my DE tonight...and when I was rinsing my blade between strokes accidentally used really hot water from the faucet instead of cold. It was hot enough that it really heated up the metal razor, and when I brought it to my face it was noticeably HOT. Almost too hot for comfort, but it felt nice, so I kept rinsing it with the really hot water, and sure enough...I had one of the smoothest, most irritation-free shaves ever.

Could there be something to this? Does the hot blade somehow improve the shaving performance? I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this!

 

[CigarettesCigars]

Does a hot knife cut butter better?

 

[The Zigster]

I would never have thought of using cold water to rinse the razor while shaving. Have always, always used hot water.

 

[salisburyyates]

I noticed this recently that hotter than normal water tends to greatly reduce drag.

 

[Toothpick]

Same here with the hot water. Even in my cartridge days. From day one with shaving I've always rinsed the razor with hot water. Now I just fill the sink with a little hot water and rinse the razor in it. Hot water removes the lather from the razor better IMO. And I've always rinsed my face with cold water.

 

[Lion and the Fox]

Another vote for hot water. I'm with Jason, I've always used hot water (except of course, when in the field) but it's more a comfort thing for me.

 

[gus1942]

So I was shaving with my DE tonight...and when I was rinsing my blade between strokes accidentally used really hot water from the faucet instead of cold. It was hot enough that it really heated up the metal razor, and when I brought it to my face it was noticeably HOT. Almost too hot for comfort, but it felt nice, so I kept rinsing it with the really hot water, and sure enough...I had one of the smoothest, most irritation-free shaves ever.

Could there be something to this? Does the hot blade somehow improve the shaving performance? I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this!

No

 

[dieselfuel79]

I don't know about better performance. I just like the razor and blade to be warm. When I fill my sink with hot water, I let my razor sit in the sink while it's filling up. On my second lather however, I sit the razor on the edge of the sink and not submersed in water.

 

[KW Driver]

what he ^ said. that's what I did/do with my DEs. more a comfort thing than anything probably.

 

[Kentos]

I think when the razor is hot it is easier to tell if you are pushing too hard since you can feel the head making more contact with your skin. When using my straight a hot blade is just as good as a cold one. YMMV of course, and if it gives you a better shave all the better!

 

[phillylion]

Same here with the hot water. Even in my cartridge days. From day one with shaving I've always rinsed the razor with hot water. Now I just fill the sink with a little hot water and rinse the razor in it. Hot water removes the lather from the razor better IMO. And I've always rinsed my face with cold water.

+1. Same with me.

 

[tmurzz]

I've always used hot water (relatively speaking of course) to rinse my razor.

 

[OldSaw]

Warm water also does a better job of rinsing the lather from gap between the blade and the guard.

 

[tfinch]

It does feel better. Not sure I could tell you why, but it does seem like a cold razor drags more.

 

[jadium]

I always use hot water. I find that it is the most pleasant way to shave.

 

[BBrad]

I always use hot water. I find that it is the most pleasant way to shave.

Cold water is just too . . . cold!

As a working musician, song lyrics often times invade my thoughts. At least once a week (maybe more) I shave while Daydream Believer dances in my head . . . "the shavin' razor's cold and it stings" . . . use hot water and it won't be cold, therefore it won't sting!

Cold razor . . . No sir, I don't like it! . . .

 

[Searlands]

I've always used hot water (relatively speaking of course) to rinse my razor.

+1 here. Works for me.

 

[Higgie]

I don't know about better performance. I just like the razor and blade to be warm. When I fill my sink with hot water, I let my razor sit in the sink while it's filling up. On my second lather however, I sit the razor on the edge of the sink and not submersed in water.

+1 (Though since its starting to get hot I have been using cold water more often than not)

 

[Dangerroush]

So guys, I have mentioned this in other threads, any piece of sharpened metal has very small imperfections along the edge, put your new blade under a microscope. When you heat metal up it expands slightly, filling up some of the smaller imperfections, and making the larger ones smaller, so ineffect you are giving yourselves a sharper blade....

 

[RABIDMONKEY]

I too have alway used hot water for the razor rinse