The Cliffs Notes question is: Would it be possible for a razor, when exposed to either hot or cold water, to change tolerances enough due to expansion or contraction of the metal to impact the shave?
For the specifics, please read below.
I've used the same razor and blade almost exclusively for the last 3 years with hot water and always got great shaves. This summer, I decided to try cold water shaves and got slightly better results. However, as we approach winter, the water coming out of my tap has gotten colder than it is during the summer and early fall.
Tonight was probably the coldest water I've shaved with and no matter how I adjusted the angle, the shave was rough and not nearly as smooth as usual. Halfway through the first pass I switched to rinsing the razor with hot water and immediately the shave returned to the usual smoothness that I get from this razor.
Everything I've done with my cold water summer shaves was the same as tonight except for the temperature of the water I rinsed the razor with. Tonight, I turned on the hot water handle a little bit while wetting my beard because I don't splashing my face with the extra cold water I have at the moment. So that part was essentially the same as my summer cold water shaves.
The only conclusion I can come to is that the colder water caused the razor metal to contract slightly and changed the way the blade contacts my face. But, at the same time, it seems like the difference between hot and cold water wouldn't be enough to make a difference due to metal contraction or expansion.
The razor in question is made out of titanium if that makes a difference. Interested to hear from any metal experts who can comment on how metals expand or contract at different temperatures.
For the specifics, please read below.
I've used the same razor and blade almost exclusively for the last 3 years with hot water and always got great shaves. This summer, I decided to try cold water shaves and got slightly better results. However, as we approach winter, the water coming out of my tap has gotten colder than it is during the summer and early fall.
Tonight was probably the coldest water I've shaved with and no matter how I adjusted the angle, the shave was rough and not nearly as smooth as usual. Halfway through the first pass I switched to rinsing the razor with hot water and immediately the shave returned to the usual smoothness that I get from this razor.
Everything I've done with my cold water summer shaves was the same as tonight except for the temperature of the water I rinsed the razor with. Tonight, I turned on the hot water handle a little bit while wetting my beard because I don't splashing my face with the extra cold water I have at the moment. So that part was essentially the same as my summer cold water shaves.
The only conclusion I can come to is that the colder water caused the razor metal to contract slightly and changed the way the blade contacts my face. But, at the same time, it seems like the difference between hot and cold water wouldn't be enough to make a difference due to metal contraction or expansion.
The razor in question is made out of titanium if that makes a difference. Interested to hear from any metal experts who can comment on how metals expand or contract at different temperatures.
