Printable View
My last shave was absolutely brilliant. I was BBS in my entire face and without as much as a single cut.
Today I look like I got attacked by a bear while wrestling a panther and I'm not even BBS. I don't know what happened other than that it probably was overconfidence from my perfect shave the other day. :banghead:
Take a few days off and heal. That's one thing about using a straight razor, if you get to cocky it'll remind you real quick.
+1 for letting your face heal. Slow down and get your lather and technique correct. Take your time and enjoy the art of wet shaving...
As has been said, let the wounds heal or they will be there for ages.
Some days you just get a rubbish shave.
I wouldn't bother with bbs it is pretty much impossible to achieve, a comfortable shave is far more pleasant.
I've stopped chasing the BBS. DFS is close enough. When I chase BBS I pay for it the next day with irratation, maybe a pimple, ingrowing hairs resulting in maybe a few weepers the following shave. If the BBS happens, great, but not when it's forced. YMMV.
Take a look at your edge with magnification, look straight down on the edge. If you see any shiny spots, they are chips or a rolled edge.
It is not uncommon for novice stroppers to roll an edge, by lifting the spine, striking the edge while flipping or just stropping with too much pressures.
It only takes one miss-stroke.
Thanks. I'll try that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440
Does a chipped or rolled edge make me more likely to cut myself?
A chip in the edge will cause you irritation and most likely a cut. If you look at a chip under magnification you will see two points, one on each side of the chip, that's two points that can cut and cause irritation. You need a smooth straight edge, nothing that can scrap or cut the skin, to get a smooth, irritation free shave.
I don't think I've had to deal with a rolled edge so someone else will have to chime in on that.
Ah yes, she gave ya a little kiss then. Sounds like the two of you are finally starting to get acquainted. Happens to everyone. :-)
Agreed, I straight razor shave every day. So, during the week the BBS ain't happen'n!Quote:
Originally Posted by RedGladiator
No time to fuss.
Good advice here. I only get BBS if I haven't shaved for about 3 or 4 days. That next shave is then great. If I shave every day, the quality dips. Still good shaves but not BBS.
After shaving for two years I was still nicking myself on one side of the jaw every now and then. I figured that the angle was wrong on that stroke and it was just happening because I was over confident and moving too fast. After a while it becomes second nature and you figure I know what I am doing and do not need to think about it any more. Babow, wrong.....
Take a really hard look at your stropping. May have dulled or rolled the edge some, which you try to compensate for by applying pressure when you shave, like many of us did. Doesn't work !
Good advice here on stropping, angle and taking your time.
I agree with Haroldg48, avoid using too much pressure. Let the blade do the work.
A rolled edge will eventually break off and then you have a hacksaw.
Most probably once you roll an edge the next stroke breaks it off.
Even if you do not roll the edge, improper stropping can easily chip the edge, and yes chips will cut you.
Micro-chips cut you microscopically and cause an uncomfortable shave or irritation.
Here is a little follow up.
I checked the edge of my razor and there are no chips. I shaved again a few days ago being very careful, but I still managed to cut myself.
This morning I tried a cold shave like I've been reading about in this forum. I got a perfect shave with the cold water method. Whether it was the cold water or my concentration that made it perfect I don't know, but I will do cold shaves the next couple of times for sure.
Cold wAter shaves work really well for a lot of us. Glad it's Going well
The thing I love (and sometimes hate) is the process of dialing in all the variables. There is a distinct sense of satisfaction when all goes well but frustration when it doesn't. That's what makes the journey interesting and hopefully satisfying.
For those nicks. I use a little neosponin or triple antibiotic ointment (what ever they call it where you live) on a nick after my other post shave treatments. Seems to speed the healing and limit the scarring. Ofcourse YMMV.
Peterlh,
I have been wet-shaving with straights and safety razors for about six (6) years.
I shaved yesterday with my Muhle R106 with a Super Iridium blade - this 'always' gives me a BBS, comfortable shave.
Well it didn't this time - my face was the colour of beetroot and was so hot it could be spotted from Space :)
These things just happen now and again ! I wouldn't worry about them - just let your chops get better, and go for it again :)
Have fun :)
Best regards
Russ