Warm + Wet the razor = Win?

[Shave]

In attempts to improve my shaving routine I recently stumbled on something very simple that seems to have improved the quality of my shave, as well as the comfort of the shave.

Basically what I do now, is when the bathroom sink fills up, I hold the blade-loaded head of my razor (Merkur 34C) under the running hot water tap, assuring it gets warm (but not blistering hot of course)

I found the comfort of my shave improved, and overall the shave was somewhat smoother than just grabbing the razor and starting shaving, without the hot soak. Basically its pretreating your razor like you do your face: warmth and wetness.

Please try this yourself, and then do the poll.

 

[bogbrush]

The warmth on the blade reduces friction and it feels nicer.

 

[SRock]

A warm razor just feels better on the skin.

 

[AdrianR]

Yup - I soak it in hot water with the brush while showering...makes it feel smoother and more comfortable.

 

[jakespoppy]

I do that too, but hadn't given it that much thought......until now. It just came naturally, to put the razor w/blade in the hot water first.

I hope this doesn't become like my golf swing - thinking about too many things during the back swing; are my hands positioned correctly, not too fast, proper head alignment, don't pull it...then a big slice! Yikes!!!

 

[craig87c]

I've always done this, even with Mach 3s. The only downside is with a razor that has a lot of mass in the head (Merkur 34C and Fatboy for me) because if the water is hot enough, the head will heat up enough to hurt when you put razor to face! It feels like you just cut yourself with the razor until you cool it down a bit. Just make sure it is WARM water, not hot

 

[xgunterx]

I fill a bowl with hot water to soak the brush and razor.
But I don't rinse the razor that often though. I like a good buildup of lather on the razor that when I'm buffing there is always a layer between the blade and my skin.

 

[eagletower]

yep i do the same, the warm razor seems to give less friction