Is it considered cheating?

It's a question I have been pondering for a week or so now.

Thanks to the help and advice of a certain master honer of this 'ere parish I have had some really good straight shaves lately.

However I got over confident yesterday and pushed my luck (and the razor to hard on the chin leading to my first real meeting with the styptic:cen ).

So the time comes round to shave again and to avoid re-opening the minor nick on the chin I shamefully reached for the mach 3.

I immediately felt guilty and just a little girly...

Is tidying up with an unspeakable considered cheating or an acceptable practice?

I'd be interested to know your thoughts guys!

I have only used a single edge safety vintage (that you hone and strop) since I started straights but really see no problem. I really doubt anyone here will. We all love the straights, that's what brings us here. If you feel the need to use something else at times - so be it, don't worry about it. Don't feel "girly" - not that there's anything wrong with that...

Cheers
Ivo

I'd have used the striaght and gon only with the grain very lightly over the area. I think that would be even less damaging than a Mach III. Who's with me?

X

I am!

I only used the vintage safety a couple of times because 1) I wanted to try it 2) it was not on my face (might be too much info but armpits with a straight - can't do yet)

The straights are gentler on the face, indeed. However, some may prefer a bit of safety and blade length / handling that they are more used to (if not forgotten by now)

Cheers
Ivo

OK, if it makes you feel any better, I did worse than that - when I sliced my chin like a salami on a downward stroke, and replaced the steaming divot amongst the gore and sharp steel, I was concerned about opening up the divot - so the next day, still crusty and sore I reached for the - electric! Just so happened to have the thing still plugged in - only did that spot (and well maybe a little of the underside of my chin, feeling a little shot shy) and *yes* I felt like a boob. Here I was surrounded by all this magnificent equipment, bowls and brushes, blades and soaps and steaming towels and scuttles and aftershaves and alum blocks (that I have had to tap dance around the wife to acquire) - and I am reaching for the electric with a sure grimace of defeat -

It was either that or my brand new once used, once tossed in a drawer, vibrating "Fusion"...AAArrrghghgh. You see the dilemma?

So don't feel bad, only you will know - and I absolve you.:D

K

jusr be sure your straights don't see you, or it'll definately get suspicious. Cover your tracks, and make sure you still spend time with the str8 in question...oh, and remember, it's not cheating unless you get caught:roflmao

seriously though, there are members here, including myself, that still use a safety razor sometimes. I got myself good on the corner of my mouth a month ago, and was using a DE around it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

I'd have used the striaght and gon only with the grain very lightly over the area. I think that would be even less damaging than a Mach III. Who's with me?

X

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Here here. :tu

So you have taken a mistress:nono:

if you desire one at least let it be a DE. :roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

I'd have used the striaght and gon only with the grain very lightly over the area. I think that would be even less damaging than a Mach III. Who's with me?

X

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I agree as well. I nicked one area twice in successive shaves turning it into a little cut. Over the next week I tried to "baby" it with the DE.... made it worse, then the electric .... razor burn, then the Fusion .... got an ingrown hair in that area and reopened it. Finally, stopped trying different things and just settled for a couple day break and single passes with the straight WTG for a couple shaves and in a few days all was good.

However, I wouldn't consider it cheating either. There's still a couple of areas on my neck that I can get closer on with a DE than I can with the straight and if I really need to be BBS for some reason I still reach for the DE to get it done. One of these days I'll get it with the straight though....

Ant

"Dear Mr Si,

After careful and dilligent investigation of your circumstances, and in light of your voluntary confession and active participation in razor forums, the members of the International Straight Razor Council have decided to overlook your breach of good form in this instance.

Yours Sincerely,

etc, etc..."

James.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

"Dear Mr Si,

After careful and dilligent investigation of your circumstances, and in light of your voluntary confession and active participation in razor forums, the members of the International Straight Razor Council have decided to overlook your breach of good form in this instance.

Yours Sincerely,

etc, etc..."

James.

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Thank you your Honour, I will seek counselling for my problems on this 'ere website so I may avoid such mistakes in future.

Through the support network available I hope to grow a pair of wheels big enough to take the straight to my cut face safe in the knowledge that it will cause less shenanigans than a M**h III.

My straight may never forgive me though, it did see me use my former mistress...

You just have to be careful what you admit to here. Someone might report you to the SRP Straight razor Police and if they visit you you'll have a real problem. The last guy who violated the statutes had all his razors and gear confiscated for 60 days. I think he's shaving with disposables.

Actually there's nothing wrong with straying every now and then. I have a vintage DE and I've made it a regular part of my rotation. Its fun! Just don't report me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The last guy who violated the statutes had all his razors and gear confiscated for 60 days. I think he's shaving with disposables.

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Oh no, please....not the Bic Orange? I promise, no more...ever...just not that...it's too degrading...

What's That Buzzing Sound?
That's the sound of me trying to save face; mine that is...
After setting the blade to my face a little too hard the other day, and leaving a red line that seeped this red stuff, I thought it was healed enough to go back to a straight. I was wrong, and my blade re-opened the same wound.:nono: A DE seems to be OK as long as I am super careful, but I am thinking the battery powered Norelco I keep in the car may get a little use for a few days. :shrug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amyn

if you desire one at least let it be a DE. :roflmao

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I agree, a DE should do you wonders for clean up or day old cut areas. I held to this method for a while, and I think it's fine until you become comfortable going start to finish with the straight.

Quote:

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Is tidying up with an unspeakable considered cheating or an acceptable practice?

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It is only cheating if you are doing it at your mistress' house

Lots of understanding and man-hugs happening here.

Sorry, but I say BURN HIM!!! :roflmao

Si

(nope - never used an electric to touch up the hairs around my goatee. Not me. Nope never.)

girly? cheating? no, i say it's wise

i have been shaving with a shavette for a few weeks now. anyways, i managed to cut myself through rushing and trying to chat to my other half at the same time. no surprse there for a newbie. however, the next day i received some mama bear soaps...

the joy of having some quality lather action, gave way to clumsiness and i slapped that beautiful lather all over the nick from the previous day. i think you can see where this is going...

i start shaving and get to a little resistance. hmmh, methinks i have found some tricky stubble; no probs i say to myself, push on through buddy, push on through :gth

oh dear....let's just say it took a few days to sort itself out!

all said and done, i am really enjoying the straight experience. these days i try to keep the lady out of the bathroom when shaving and have since found that styptic pencils are actually on sale at boots (high st pharamcist in the uk). moreover, i think styptic pencils areamazing. in fact, i can't understand why old remedies like these ever disappear.

so, when u say is it acceptable to use a mach 3 or some other slightly girlier implement? i say it's wise my friend.

ps: incidentally boots also sell something termed "bay rum". given the references to said rum on the forum and and trumpers sale of this as an aftershave, i was surprised to see that the chemist describes this as a tonic for lifeless hair (presumably the stuff on top of one's head rather than the chin variety!). anyway, what's with that? is it really hair tonic? or just a generic scent of yesteryear. sorry if this is off-topic, don't want to hijack the thread.