Better results with cold water

Hello. I shave with an Edwin Jagger 89 DE, a Whipped Dog silvertip brush and Palmolive shave cream. I've noticed that when I shave with cold water(cold shower and wet the brush with cold water), I get less irritation and razor burn. I do 3 passes(with the grain,across the grain and across the grain in the opposite direction). What is the explanation for this?

I get better results with cold as well.  I suspect it's because cold drives blood circulation away from the face resulting in less irritation.  In general, soaps (for shaving or otherwise) do lather easier if the water is slightly warmer than dead cold, so I use tepid tap water to build lather but cold for washing and rinsing.

Traditionally, hot water is seen as the preferred way to prep, because it softens the beard.  However, if cold water works better for you, go for it.  It's all about what gets you the best results.

I have sensitive skin and I've been shaving with cold water for 2 years.  I definitely get less irritation when I use cold water.

Cold water shaver  for 4 years + now (ice water in fact!).  Hate shaving with hot water (even lukewarm for that matter). Less irritation, closer shave imho.

(05-29-2017, 09:39 AM)david1201 Wrote: Cold water shaver  for 4 years + now (ice water in fact!).  Hate shaving with hot water (even lukewarm for that matter). Less irritation, closer shave imho.

+1 me too!

I will use lukewarm water to wet the brush and load the soap, but cold tap water for the prep, shave and rinse. I find i get better results and have come to enjoy the cold steel on my face  .

Would never have thought to give cold water a try, until I met you folks over here...now it is all I do.

I've noticed that cold water causes the stubble to stand up... Kinda like goose bumps. Maybe it lets you get closer with less pressure.  That's a total guess.  That said, I can't bring myself to do it, especially during winter.

(05-29-2017, 03:42 PM)Shannons Soaps Wrote: I've noticed that cold water causes the stubble to stand up... Kinda like goose bumps. Maybe it lets you get closer with less pressure.  That's a total guess.  That said, I can't bring myself to do it, especially during winter.

This has also been my guess. Cold water = stiffer stubble that stands. Hot water = softer stubble that acts more like a cooked noodle. The cold water is a bit less comfortable in the winter, but you get used to it!

I've made the switch, too.  I used to shower shave.  I'm getting less irritation and I think the better audible feedback lends itself to a softer hand, which also helps.

Cold water helps to close your pores, warm or hot warm opens your pores!

I build lather with warm water, and, cool-to-cold water before applying the blade, to my face.

Whatever works is generally the right answer. Me? I'll stay with warm lather, at least for now.

I'll vary the water temp depending on the season but I guess at least one thing is certain, it's better to shave with water than without.  

Hot water for DE and cold water for my straights.

Lukewarm in winter. Cold in summer. 
Final rinse with cold water year round.

I think I would rather ream my nostrils out with a potato peeler than shave with cold water. The very idea make me shudder. It's unnatural!