3 Month SR shaver (Lessons Learned)

My new Dovo Astrale arrived Christmas day 2013. Since then I have learned much about shaving technique, stropping, refreshing the blade, making lather, face prep, and after shave soothing. Like many, I've learned the hard way all along reading, watching, and trying to absorb so many of the others' leassons learned.
One of the things that I have forgotten about is "concentration". The other day while shaving, I was in a groove. I was happy to have succesfully obtained a shave ready edge, awesome peak lather from the soap, smooth pre shave prep, but then...I lost focus and concentration.
While going XTG on my upper lip, I nicked my existing problem area...a small mole. The blood was dripping down my lips and chin turning my previous pure white lather into a pink mess!
Styptic pencil in hand I attemped to stop the bleeding and continue my shave. Losing sight of where my blade was in relation to my face, a slight movement across the cheek with an angle much too great, I now bear my very first SR scar on my cheek!
I immediatly threw in the proverbial towel and stopped while I was still standing.
Later that day at work, I had to explain my cut to co workers, some thought me crazy for holding a SR at 5AM, some thought me crazy for holding a SR at all!
This morning, I will get back in the saddle and have a sucessful shave...with the utmost respect and full attention that SR shaving demands!
For my newbe bretheren, take heed. Don't lose your concentration!

Sounds good, they do have a cut of the day thread.....just saying, some of these guys like to see the gory stuff.
The cuts will happen, still cut my self 4 years later. Just got myself three times the other day, on the same shave. That's what happens when you're in a hurry and can't devote your time and concentration

Yea, concentration and respect should never be taken for granted. It just does not pay to be in a rush or over confident.

Bob

Hang in there! +1 that maintaining concentration is critical. Those vertical cuts (scars) on the cheek are never fun.

It happens to everyone. It's the main reason for my byline below. Helps remind me of the same thing.

A classic example of one problem leading to another; as in life, so in shaving. Good on you to fold up shop that day before any more dominoes could fall!

Hang in there...I for one usually grow a 'stache and when I do shave it (usually after I trim it and end up gapping it) I never go XTG. Just can't get the hang of XTG or ATG on the upper lip. My "grain" there isn't straight down anyway but is more XTG as you look it my lip anyway so...if you watched me shaving you'd "think" I was going XTG ubt it would be WTG actually. Still can't get my "trouble areas (between the trach and the neck muscles, the point and corners of chin) BBS yet...always a learning curve to negotiate. Seems like each time is a bit different too...lol.

i find listening to classical music helps me calm my mind and while preparing myself the music becomes a backround soother , then i get lost in the act of shaving

I've had 4 cuts in 6 months of SR shaving -- 2 were to the ear lobe when I wasn't watching the toe of the razor and 2 were due to a square toe razor and not paying attention to where the toe was in a concave section of my face (I usually use a round toe razor). Another life lesson to add to deepweeds' comment: Usually the dearest lessons are the most painful.

i have my knicks and cuts also , but i am also practicing with different blades 5/8 ...6/8 ....13/16... full hollow ground to a full wegde.. right now for me the full wedge is more forgiveing.

Had one of those myself.. fun explaining to co-workers. .. their expressions even more fun...

That doesn't seem to be very unusual. After a while you get overconfident, loses concentration, doesn't show enough respect for the tool or whatever you want to call it. And that results in a, or several, cut(s).

Knicks and cuts come and go. Happens to even the experts. Don't throw in the towel permanently.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hairybear

i find listening to classical music helps me calm my mind and while preparing myself the music becomes a backround soother , then i get lost in the act of shaving

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Classical music often help me get in the groove too...a little Gershwin goes a long way...

HMMMMM------Ouch, man I can just feel it now been there done that. I am just a starter myself my first advise is a ready shave blade and let the blade do the cutting WATCH the pressure on the spine that's something I have to master:gl:

i'm not throwing in the towel, i've just ordered two theis isaard straight razors, i'm really into this everybody else in the family thinks i'm crazy. they'll stick with their high tech 3,4,5 blade gillettes or schicks but i, stickin with old skool ... old skool or no skool i say, i,m a biker so respect is given and should be received....

Amen, bro.let them spend all that $$$ at the end of the year those 4-5 blade razors $$$ could have bought several SR'S.:gl:

That's right hairybear, old School , only way to go for me also , my bikes old School too, so the razors just fit. Good luck from another biker. Tc

I got myself on the ear lobe not too long ago. It bled worse than any other shaving mistake I have made.