Thread: Trial by Fire

So, I had my self my fifth shave tonight. I usually shave at night as it gives me more time to enjoy it. I really took the time to really prep tonight after reading up on different prepping techniques. I used two different mugs as well. One to charge the brush and then the one featured as my avatar to get my lather going. I heated up some distilled water in the micro wave and this seems to help with the lather, though the difference seems minimal. I let the brush and lather mug set in hot water for a bit while I stropped to let them get warm. I really wanted to get as warm a lather as possible, though I will still end up getting the moss scuttle. Anyway to get to my point, I did all this with high hope of my most successful shave yet. All was going well till I got to my left cheek. I was being stupid and decided to cross over, usually I will use my left hand. I ended up getting a funky hold on the razor and came down with the tip slightly leading. I gouged my self pretty badly . After I got the bleeding to a minimum, I was able to re-lather the side (avoid the affected area) and continue on with my shave. Despite the gouge, I have to say it was my best shave so far. My skin seems to be getting used to the razor and the prep really helped. My lathering needs a bit of work, but all in all it was good.

Anyway, getting to the point of this thread. I am sure some of you guys have some good stories about shaving injuries. I know straight edge shaving isn't as dangerous as it is sometimes hyped up to be, but still I am sure some of you guys have some nice stories. I would love to hear some of them. Sure would sooth the old ego .

My only serious cut came from a 6/8 round point I got on eBay and was attempting to hone myself.

It was my fourth or fifth shave, and I was really excited. I went to start shaving my left sideburn, and I failed to notice that the round tip slid into my ear, right at the base where the lobe joins my head.

I performed an assertive downward stroke, slicing neatly through the flesh at the base of my ear. It was maybe 3/16 or 1/4 of an inch deep, and it bled like crazy for about half an hour.

I didn't touch my straight again for at least a week.

That's why I don't think square and spike points are that much more dangerous for newbies. They teach you respect for the tip of the razor.

Josh

Ah, the ego-soothe! One of the more difficult topics to offer advice on. It might make you feel better to know that my first time shaving with a spike point, my chin got itchy and I actually thought to myself, "a light scratch with the tip of the razor should be okay." No. Not even a light one leaves you unscathed. Cheered up yet? I've got another one:

I've an office at a company I'm currently contracted to and often sit in that office hand-sanding eBay straights. After months of being told I was going to cut myself, and verbally dismissing these warnings as the mutterings of cowards, I cut myself. Quite deeply. I managed to make it to the first aid kit and back without raising suspicion, and was trying to clean and dress my wound with my hand under my desk so as not to be found out when a guy came in to the office wanting me to try something he'd made for lunch. He wouldn't take no for an answer, so I finally just held up my hand and said, "Look! Blood!" Within minutes the entire office knew what had happened. What's worse is that it was all just a week after the company had sent someone from head office in to give us a health and safety seminar, and our newly-named H & S Department head insisted he had to fill in a report, which he did despite my explaining that I'm not an employee and that my office had long-prior been declared a free republic. Two days later a company-wide email was sent explaining an addendum to the H & S policy which implicitly banned the use or possession of straight razors in the offices. I suspect most of the people who read it reacted the same way I reacted to hearing the H & S Policy Director tell us, a week earlier, why it was necessary to have labels put on all our Windex bottles stating that window cleaner was not safe to drink.

So you came down with the tip slightly leading, huh? Pshaw! Wear it proudly, Kamerad!

Haha, yeah you beat me. I shall wear it proudly. Compared to some of my other stupid wounds (Shot through my left index finger with a nail gun once) this was nothing. Still, the ego has been soothed, and I thank you for it.

Originally Posted by Sweeney Todd

I suspect most of the people who read it reacted the same way I reacted to hearing the H & S Policy Director tell us, a week earlier, why it was necessary to have labels put on all our Windex bottles stating that window cleaner was not safe to drink.

That would be a US company you're working for?

One time I was shaving with a Wonderedge with a spike point and not paying much attention. The blade is 3 1/2 inches long and most of my razors are in the 3 inch range. When I was doing the cross grain pass, the point dug into my jaw and left a cut that was noticable for almost two weeks. As Popeye would say.....most embaraksin.......ag ag ag ag ag

Have fun.

Lynn

Shortly after giving a W&B 7/8 frameback it's first honing, I was oiling it down and managed to snag the tail flipping the blade around and into my hand that was holding the scales. Once I got everything sealed up with superglue I got out the ball peen hammer and tightened up the scales. Now I make certain the scales are snug before I do any work on a new razor.

That would be a US company you're working for?

Actually, Canadian. In the U.S. all the window cleaner is already clearly labelled. They call it 'beer.'

Originally Posted by adjustme69

One time I was shaving with a Wonderedge with a spike point and not paying much attention. The blade is 3 1/2 inches long and most of my razors are in the 3 inch range. When I was doing the cross grain pass, the point dug into my jaw and left a cut that was noticable for almost two weeks. As Popeye would say.....most embaraksin.......ag ag ag ag ag

Have fun.

Lynn

Yeah, I am afraid this will be just as noticeable for about as long. It's a good half inch long slice down the upper part of my left cheek, and its probably an 1/8" wide. Luckily it is more wide than deep, just shaving off the top layer of skin. I may forgo shaving for a few days just to let it heal up a bit more. I can usually go a few days with such a close shave anyway. But I am eager to practice, especially when all the new stuff comes in. I just ordered a sampler from Colleen. I want to try that Leatherneck and Desert Ironwood pretty bad.

Originally Posted by Kentriv

Yeah, I am afraid this will be just as noticeable for about as long. It's a good half inch long slice down the upper part of my left cheek, and its probably an 1/8" wide. Luckily it is more wide than deep, just shaving off the top layer of skin. I may forgo shaving for a few days just to let it heal up a bit more. I can usually go a few days with such a close shave anyway. But I am eager to practice, especially when all the new stuff comes in. I just ordered a sampler from Colleen. I want to try that Leatherneck and Desert Ironwood pretty bad.

I just tried out the leatherneck --good stuff --close shave and does the job right


Justin