Dropped My Straight Razor!!

Title says it all.. im very upset to say the least.
It dropped about two feet onto TILE flooring while it was closed as I was packing into my shaving kit to prepare for a road trip.
It landed on its side and the blade opened up slightly as it bounced.
I STARED at it as it came to rest.. i didnt see the edge touch the ground but Im so F&*%$N pissed who knows what I saw.
I stropped 20/60 after and ran the edge against my finger as if i was shaving my fingerpad, but didnt feel anything.
I shaved a knuckle clean, didnt feel anything unusual..
Id shave my face right now just to know if the blade is ok but I Just finished shaving when I packed it away.
Visually it looks ok but Im a total newbie at this and so I dont think I'd be able to see a chip with the naked eye like a pro would..

What should I do?? I'm way too green to try to hone this thing.. and I would hate to have to send it back just to check it..
Boo hoo for me.. totally ruined my appetite.

Look at the edge, edge-on in good lighting. If the edge was nicked or nudged you'd likely be able to see it from that angle. Anytime you can see the edge from that angle you have sharp problems. Sounds like it's okay, but only a shave will tell all.

I dropped my 8" single-bevel Deba (japanese butcher/fish knife) onto pavement some time back. I had it in the box, but the box opened and doinK! five good nicks in that gorgeous high-carbon edge. Still works for it's non-shaving purpose though. Gotta risk it to use it. Did you count your toes?

Well, if it is ok, it is ok. You might want to reinlist and get a new username.
Responses to someone who has chosen "Idiot" is not going to prove fruitful, I feel. JMHO.
Good Luck, Idiot! (Kidding?) ;)

Don't feel bad, OP. I dropped my first razor within days of getting it and I wasn't sure how bad I hurt it. I tried to strop it and it put a line in the leather on the first stroke. I had to send it back and had it honed right away (thanks, Lynn!) but luckily I had another on order and it showed up right on time. If your strop looked fine after your 20/60, you can rest a little easier. True test is when you shave. Look at this as a good excuse to have another on standby and you might as well get two more so you have two on hand in case something happens while the first one is out!!

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Originally Posted by WadePatton

Look at the edge, edge-on...

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I studied it head on and nothing seemed off.. I also angled the bevel to catch the light and it seems solid with no breaks or nicks..

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

... Idiot! (Kidding?) ;)

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I think i deserve this name for a while =)

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Originally Posted by Roso

Don't feel bad, OP. I dropped my first razor...

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Thanks for the tip about the strop! Never thought of that.. it probably would marr the strop if it were to cut my face..

Thanks guys.. made me feel a bit better..

Well.....change the name ASAP! Don't go with "NotanIdiot" because we would still call you idiot. If I had any idea of how many I have trashed, I would give up! :gaah:

A drop from that height is a blessing. Most drops occur while standing. 3 or more feet!
If it looks like a smooth and shiny glimmer in the light, You are fine!
Lucky for you, Idiot!

The lesson is... Change that tile flooring for some nice carpet! Unfortunately, the floor is not your only enemy, knocking the blade on the sink seems to be a pretty common thing.

Oh, and welcome to srp and have fun!

Cheers.

Welcome Idiot, don't stress, you certainly aren't the only idiot here.
If you really must retain a name that reflects the incident in question how about one of the following:
Clumsy,
Butterfingers,
Notreally concentrating,
Tentoes.

Do not choose:
Dumbo,
Stupidhead,
Moron.

Seriously It was just an accident, a brief lack of concentration. I dropped my lovely frameback onto concrete from about 4 feet a couple of weeks ago, luckily it was fine, but I did get the "oh flip, if that is stuffed I can't fix it" moment. fortunately it was right before a shave so i could try it out. It was fine, as I am sure yours will be.
Best regards
Ed

If your misery over dropping your razor would love some company, I have done that also with my first straight. I did not get away Scot free though, I did manage to chip the blade on that one. See you are not the only idiot. BTW change that name, there are too many of us idiots and it could get confusing.

Bob

If you didn't attempt to catch the falling razor, you did it right! :p

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Originally Posted by idiot

Title says it all.. im very upset to say the least.
It dropped about two feet onto TILE flooring while it was closed as I was packing into my shaving kit to prepare for a road trip.
It landed on its side and the blade opened up slightly as it bounced.
I STARED at it as it came to rest.. i didnt see the edge touch the ground but Im so F&*%$N pissed who knows what I saw.
I stropped 20/60 after and ran the edge against my finger as if i was shaving my fingerpad, but didnt feel anything.
I shaved a knuckle clean, didnt feel anything unusual..
Id shave my face right now just to know if the blade is ok but I Just finished shaving when I packed it away.
Visually it looks ok but Im a total newbie at this and so I dont think I'd be able to see a chip with the naked eye like a pro would..

What should I do?? I'm way too green to try to hone this thing.. and I would hate to have to send it back just to check it..
Boo hoo for me.. totally ruined my appetite.

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I understand your grief, but seriously if you can still count to 10 using all of your fingers, consider yourself blessed.

Stuff just happens sometimes. You can replace a straight razor, even if you can't replace that particular one. You can't replace human limbs.

When I was starting I sliced my thumb down to the tendon switching hands. I was so focused on technique I didn't pay attention to where the razor was. It took four stitches. It probably would have been better if I had dropped it.

Everything is OK. See if your razor is OK, if not, get another one when you can. Be careful. You will be a better, safer shaver as a result of this experience, and I can say that from my experience.

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Originally Posted by ne0nblakk

If you didn't attempt to catch the falling razor, you did it right! :p

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Two thumbs up for that!!

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Originally Posted by idiot

I studied it head on and nothing seemed off.. I also angled the bevel to catch the light and it seems solid with no breaks or nicks..


I think i deserve this name for a while =)


Thanks for the tip about the strop! Never thought of that.. it probably would marr the strop if it were to cut my face..

Thanks guys.. made me feel a bit better..

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From one idiot to another, lose that nickname! You are using your noggin' trying to find an alternative to today's rip-off shaving methods.

My apologies to the moderators for hogging this thread, but I really feel it is important to demonstrate that being careful, enjoying yourself, and not beating yourself up when things don't go right with traditional wetshaving is key to success. Take this advice from someone who tends to take things too seriously.

Yes, your nic name confuses them all. Now when one says " did you see what that idiot posted now" they won't be thinking of me. :<0) Small mistake you made, and if you read around you will see plenty of confessions a lot worse than yours.

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Originally Posted by ne0nblakk

If you didn't attempt to catch the falling razor, you did it right! :p

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That is no joke because it is an instinctive reaction for most people to do when they drop something. Can you just imagine what your hand would look like if it closed on the blade of an open straight.

Bob

Hope you had shoes on!!

post some good pictures of the edge if you're still not sure if its damaged

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Originally Posted by ne0nblakk

If you didn't attempt to catch the falling razor, you did it right! :p

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Yup, I can vouch for that. I didn't try to catch mine when I lost control while stropping several years ago, but I still ended up with a finger cut to the bone *and* a chip from hitting the floor. So it could have been much worse!

:)

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

but I still ended up with a finger cut to the bone *and* a chip from hitting the floor. So it could have been much worse!

:)

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And this is why I wear a towel around me or put on me britches before I shave....
Stuff happens no matter how careful we are.
;)

Sounds like we have the beginnings of a new old mans extreme sport. Stropping and shaving with a straight buck naked.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

Sounds like we have the beginnings of a new old mans extreme sport. Stropping and shaving with a straight buck naked.

Bob

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Triple X games ? :<0)

perhaps, if you pm a mod they will help you change your name without creating a second account.

we have all done similar things if we are being honest. most of the time I have not been as lucky as you my shin caught an open blade once not fun.

enjoy,
jim

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Originally Posted by BobH

Sounds like we have the beginnings of a new old mans extreme sport. Stropping and shaving with a straight buck naked.

Bob

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there are probably more commando shaver than you think.... there used to be a group for that.... only tricky if you use cold water. :)

Listen you idiot....

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say that.

Michael

If it makes you feel any better, within 30 seconds of getting my first straight, I split open my knuckle deep enough to cause a permanent scar. You live and learn, I guess.

If guys are not dropping their razors, they are knocking then against the sink or tap, and if they aren't doing that they are posting up in the cut thread.

You see, idiot, lots of mishaps occur. We share them to help others feel at peace with their imperfection, and to help others hopefully avoid carelessness.

Now I'll share mine.

I got my second custom razor and on my first shave with it, I dropped it. I danced and avoided and contact of the blade to my dermis (and yes, I was nude when this happened). The blade landed (square point) toe first and cut a hole in the bath mat and nearly stuck in the floor. It damaged the toe quite nicely. So that is how I decided to hone a smile into my new custom;)

You see, one mishap opens the door to opportunity (learning advanced honing/repair). It all turned out fine (except for the mat).

You can lightly draw the blade against your thumbnail edge, to feel for any chips. It is amazing how sensitive our senses are. Or you could do the Three finger test. Or you could buy a $10 60x Loupe and visually inspect it.
I recommend all 3.

If it looks good, Idiot, just strop and shave and see. Dragging it across the thumbnail or cutting paper, or buying microscopes will only dull an edge which has not been damaged.
If it is OK, it is OK! Enjoy being a lucky Idiot and count your blessings!
My last response to an idiot. See ya as you have rejoined! (PM me as you do. Hard to miss idiots at times, even under new names ! :D).

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Hard to miss idiots at times, even under new names ! :D).

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Did you call Sharptonn? I heard your looking for me

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Originally Posted by Tarkus

Did you call Sharptonn? I heard your looking for me

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And there you have it, Folks! Case in point! :rofl2:

Geez would you look at how many replies this Idiot has got in just a short time. I don't think there's been another idiot here that has had this sort of response before...:) Yep. Lose the Handle. It's only fun once ;)

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Originally Posted by pfries

And this is why I wear a towel around me or put on me britches before I shave....
Stuff happens no matter how careful we are.
;)

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You just need a bigger awning over the toy shop mate ;)


Mick

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Originally Posted by souschefdude

You can lightly draw the blade against your thumbnail edge, to feel for any chips. It is amazing how sensitive our senses are. Or you could do the Three finger test. Or you could buy a $10 60x Loupe and visually inspect it.
I recommend all 3.

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Are you sure this is good advice for someone who cant hone their own razor yet? I thought thumb nail testing was generally done early on in honing to check the bevel is set, then more work has to be done as the test will dull the razor somewhat.
Yes it will show up damage i would presume, and if there is damage then it is a moot point, but should the edge be fine then this test will ensure that the razor needs some honing.
Forgive me if I am wrong or speaking out of turn, this is just my understanding of how this test works.

I have heard the same thing Ed, that this test will dull the edge. I don't buy it, from a logical perspective and from careful observation on my part. This test, done properly is the faintest of touches on your thumbnail, which is made of keratin, the same as your beard. Is it wise for a newbie to try it? I have a feeling a newbie, trying it, is gonna give it the lightest of touches, which would do no harm.
All this is only my opinion and is not meant to offend or challenge anyone elses' experiences.

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Originally Posted by souschefdude

I have heard the same thing Ed, that this test will dull the edge. I don't buy it, from a logical perspective and from careful observation on my part. This test, done properly is the faintest of touches on your thumbnail, which is made of keratin, the same as your beard. Is it wise for a newbie to try it? I have a feeling a newbie, trying it, is gonna give it the lightest of touches, which would do no harm.
All this is only my opinion and is not meant to offend or challenge anyone elses' experiences.

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No offence meant or taken :)

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Originally Posted by ne0nblakk

If you didn't attempt to catch the falling razor, you did it right! :p

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a bro of mine did this with a fillet knife and severed a tendon. had to have surgery.

don't catch blades.

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Originally Posted by MickR

Geez would you look at how many replies this Idiot has got in just a short time.








Mick

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It's kind of like yelling "hey Stupid" in a crowd. 75% will turn around.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

It's kind of like yelling "hey Stupid" in a crowd. 75% will turn around.

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And that's the secret to why methinks it's best to avoid most crowds.;)

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Originally Posted by MickR

You just need a bigger awning over the toy shop mate ;)

Mick

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I subscribe to the notion that a good craftsman always provides a safe shed for his tools. :)