Thread: What's the matter with a cold-water soak?

With all the talk about the dangers of hot water to the long-term health of a badger knot, I soak my brushes in cold water while I shower. When I'm ready to shave, I squeeze the cold water out and soak the bristles in hot water 3/4 of the way up the bristles. I seem to get great, warm lather. (I'm using the SRP Forum Thater).

Am I missing anything doing it this way? If hot water diminishes brush life, why does everyone do a long hot water soak?

I think the hot water feels better. I can always buy another brush.

I'm a cold water shaver so I soak my brush in cold water too. No reasoning behind it, it's just the way I like to shave. I don't think you'd have any issues using hot tap water.

Like Oscar I am a cold water shaver. OTOH, I was a hot water shaver for over 40 years and still have the Hoffritz brush I used for 35 of those hot water years. No problems with using hot tap water. FWIW, I never used water hotter than I could put my hand in without burning myself. I was not one of those boiling water shavers. Not knocking that, just saying, I never tried it.

Alway like to soak and rinse my brushes in 'warm' tap water. My tap water doesn't go over 120F. I just think that it removes the soap residue off the hairs better than cold.

I just don't soak my brushes because I don't have to the same as I don't start my car in the winter and let it run until it warms. I think an excess of anything isn't good. If you don't have to soak the brush why do it?

Originally Posted by RobbW

why does everyone do a long hot water soak?

I doubt even a great majority do. Don't feel compelled over that.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If you don't have to soak the brush why do it?

When I figure that out, I will start soaking it

I soak my brush in not-quite-hot-but-very-very-warm water for as long as it takes me to wash and dry my face. Then I lather, strop and shave. I do this because I get to soak the hair with warm lather, which I feel is more effective, and by time I get to shave and lather for a 2nd and 3rd time I have a nice cool lather, which I prefer.

also, for the record I think my car runs better on a cold morning if I let it run for 3 or 4 minutes before I leave.

Interesting set of responses. With all the talk of scuttles and hot-to-boiling water soaks, I assumed everyone was a hot-water shaver.

What sparked my question was my SRP Forum Thater, which directions said not to use water that was too hot. So I decided to do the cold soak, followed by a hot water rinse to make the later warm.

I'll try a cold-water soak, and I'll try no soak at all and see how the difference goes for me. Thanks for the replies.