Thread: A most horrible shave

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

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.
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. :-)

Originally Posted by RedGladiator

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.

Agreed, I straight razor shave every day. So, during the week the BBS ain't happen'n!
No time to fuss.