best cold water shaves

[czbeme]

Since we're coming into summer, I like to shave with cold water.
So if you do the same what soaps or creams are your favorites?

Thanks,
Curt

[CMur12]

Hi Curt, welcome to SMF!

I can't report from personal experience, but I have heard from others that Williams Mug Soap actually lathers better with cold water.

- Murray

[ShadowsDad]

It may lather better, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's good. For years I gave Williams the benefit of the doubt, but it's just... Oh well, many words have been input about this. I won't continue.

I opened this thinking the OP wanted to know what my best cold water shave was. That would be in the military when I used a cartridge. I don't do them anymore... period. I think I'd rather look like a barbarian than to do cold water shaving again. There are other, and IMO better, ways to get a cool shave than with cold water. YMMV.

Check out menthol.

[Squire]

Curt I've had good results shaving with cold water but don't make a practice of it. Were I to do it intentionally I would probably choose lime scented soap/cream/aftershave.

[brothers]

My preferred temperature is hot, I've found creams and soaps that do well with hot water. I haven't pursued cold water shaving due to my military days when showers and shaves, if any, were with cold water only. I know there are some guys who report good results with cold.

[BiffBuff]

I determined to give CWS a try, and used cold water exclusively for about three months. I was hoping to find that it had some advantages in shave quality. At the end of that period I came to the conclusion that, for me, the only advantage came from having no need to heat water.

I live in a house with a water heater, so that's really not much of an advantage. Cold water feels nice in hot weather, and I'm glad to know that if I'm without hot water, I can shave just fine. Most of us have been faced with a situation where hot water simply wasn't an option -- always good to have plan B.

As far as soaps go, I've found that they all seem to perform about the same for me - hot or cold. I read a post somewhere that hinted at cold water for folks having difficulty lathering MWF, but Mitchell's has always lathered great for me hot or cold.

[Squire]

I don't think water temperature has any influence on lather quality so I just follow my mood.

[jww]

I have cold water shaved only a few times myself. I like it with water as hot as I can handle. ymmv.

[czbeme]

Mostly last year I used CO Bigelow eucalyptus and loved it.
I just like the cold shaves in the summer since I don't use AC unless the temp breaks 100F,
and even then I just drop the temp 10 degrees and it feels cold.
So getting up in the morning that's 75-85 deg and using cold tap feels great,
and I shower as cold as I can stand it burrrrrrrrr!

Thanks,
Curt