Rinse blade with hot or cold water DURING shave?

[heath2125]

Hello Gents, I have struggled with this question, during shave do you rinse the blade with hot or cold water? I have heard that shaving with a cold blade keeps the razor sharp. Rumor or fact? Thanks in advance

 

[ThomasB98908]

hmmmm - dunno. Never heard of that. I really don't think the steel cares one way or another as the rinsing just removes the shaving goo and hair that has been removed from face. Anyone?????

 

[seanusa]

I usually use hot water because it breaks down the soaps and creams and cleans out my razor better

 

[chris.hale]

I use the water in the sink, which is warm. The degree of thermal expansion of a piece of steel that size within the temperature range available from a domestic tap, is so infinitessimally small that it won't affect the shave one iota.

 

[chilliman64]

I use the water in the sink, which is warm. The degree of thermal expansion of a piece of steel that size within the temperature range available from a domestic tap, is so infinitessimally small that it won't affect the shave one iota.

+1 yep

 

[dfigz]

I usually use hot water because it breaks down the soaps and creams and cleans out my razor better

Same here ... I don't believe the temp of the water makes the blade any more sharp.
But cold water shaves do help with less skin irritation ... at least for me.

 

[FonGu]

Depending on user and blade type, a DE lasts 1-7 shaves. The amount of metal expansion from the heat of tap water (very little) when combined with the normal 1-7 uses of a blade means you would not be able to detect any dulling other than that caused by the cutting of the whiskers. Additionally, if blades are purchased in lots of 100 or more, the cost per blade savings would be fractions of a penny assuming cold water extended the blade life by a shave or two. The real factors to consider in hot vs cold water are:

1) hot water cleans better than cold
2) how does the water temp affect your software (ie MWF lathers better in warm than in hot)
3) how does the water temp affect YOUR shave

 

[dreaded_rust]

I usually use hot water because it breaks down the soaps and creams and cleans out my razor better

^this
but also I like it when the razor is warm when I put it to my face. just feels nicer

 

[Eeyore]

I never rinse it with running water. I put hot water in a bowl, and I use that for rinsing between strokes.

 

[dparish1952]

YMMV. IMHO:

For each step of the shave process--face prep (hydration), lathering, cleaning the razor, and rinsing your face, you have three choices: HOT tap water, MEDIUM tap water, COLD tap water.

For rinsing, there are some who believe that HOT water causes blade edge to expand and tear the coatings on modern blades. You'll find interesting microscopic pictures here on B&B. Others say maybe but so what, toss the blade and use another. Also some lathers do not play well with high heat. Hot water is most efficient in cleaning off the razor and some shavers may find contact with the heated head pleasant.

For rinsing, cold water would minimize the coating degradation. I for one find the contact of the cold head on the skin gives me important information about the blade angle. Others find it unpleasant and ineffective in cleaning the blade. There is a minority here that practices cold water shaving (cws) especially in the summer, and you can find several threads on the topic.

Warm is the compromise position.

 

[tm3]

I used to swish it in a sink full of warm water, until i realized that i was occasionally dinging the head of the razor on the plunger or tap or side of the sink and as a result my Progress has some fine scratches on the top plate that i wish were not there.

so now even thought it probably is more wasteful i rinse under the tap. hot for warm shave, cold for cold water shave.

 

[Philuk]

Hot water here. I fail to see how cold/hot water would affect blade performance so I think it's more about whether you like the feel of cold steel on your face. That said, I do think that a hot water rinse is a must for razor + blade to enable it to dry faster [ I just rinse and put the tool away]

 

[ShaverGN]

I switched to cold water shaves. So I rinse with cold tap water

 

[Dalejr]

I'ved always used warm-hot but never really put much thought into it before...

 

[Toothpick]

I used to rinse in hot water but the razor would heat up and felt to hot on my face. Cold water never seemed to get the lather off easily.

Now I fill the sink with warm water and rinse the razor off in a quick circle motion under the water. Been working well.

 

[Pebcak]

For me its a quick shake in the cold water in my sink. Haven't had any issues.

 

[dpetrzelka]

I swish my straights in a sink of warm water - cold steel just doesn't sound as comfortable.

 

[JerYnkFan]

I cold water shave so I rinse it with cold.

 

[Mick]

I fill my sink basin with water and swish the razor around in it to rinse. Water is warm as I have my water heater set at 116-118 degrees.

 

[Useless shaver]

I use the water in the sink, which is warm. The degree of thermal expansion of a piece of steel that size within the temperature range available from a domestic tap, is so infinitessimally small that it won't affect the shave one iota.

Same here (I mean, I use the warm water in the sink, my English doesn't allow me to explain things that way....)