I've been using my straight razor since late December with pretty good results. Yes I cut myself early on, but then was doing great with no cuts. My routine has remained the same except I am using the Strop more. Any suggestions?
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I've been using my straight razor since late December with pretty good results. Yes I cut myself early on, but then was doing great with no cuts. My routine has remained the same except I am using the Strop more. Any suggestions?
slow down and don't assume you know what you're doing. It's easy as you get better to think you're doing better than you are and to get cocky.... I approach every shave as a beginner.... just my 2c
Steady constant controlled attention to entire edge. Are you getting nicked, sliced or weepers? Nicks are from not controlling the whole edge. The toe will get you or the heel will get you if you are paying to close attention to the middle of your razor. Slices are from a bad motion or blade angle. Be careful how you move the blade in relation to the edge and watch the angle you bring the edge to your face. Weepers... Thin skin. I don't know. Everything seems fine but that one spot where you may have used more pressure and shaved some skin. Lighter pressure
If you are muscling through shaves on a dull blade that is another sure way to cut yourself.
It might just be over confidence.
JT is correct.
You cannot take your eye or your brain off that edge.
Gets the best shavers from time to time
Of course there is also the option that if you have been shaving with the same edge from the beginning that your edge is starting to slip in quality, with the gradual deterioration of your edge you started to use a little more pressure and now you are using enough pressure for a few nicks here and there, also skin stretching is important for no nick shaving. No saying that we are not all correct either, a few little things could be going on.
I agree with RezDog. There's a good chance that you're blade could use a touch up. Also make sure that you are holding the blade flat enough to youre face. An overly aggressive angle can tear you up.
Be certain that you are not slicing with a square-point. Sometimes muting the point will help. YMMV
Otherwise, excessive blade angle will cut. It is not a substitute for a proper edge.
At one point, I started getting cuts out of the blue. Turned out I had (without realizing) begun resting the edge on my skin at the start of a stroke. No-no!
Something changed :<0) Look at your blade under magnifier if you can. You may find some tinsy winsy chips. If not do what everybody else suggested.
the first and last time I was cut while shaving was with a good ol' square !! after gaining more experience square points and I are good friends but it sticks in my head and I am not as brave with them !!Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Yeah, as the point is harsh, the underside of the windowsill fixes them right up! A few light strokes!Quote:
Originally Posted by gooser
I just started the same, turned out I was using more pressure to shave as the edge has began to become duller. Check it real good and adjust stropping technique or may be time to have it honed. I just sent mine off to another member for honing.
It's difficult to know what might be going on; there's not a lot to go on really. Could be your technique, could be that your stropping is not quite there and your edge has suffered a bit as a consequence, could be what the golfers call the "yips", could be your stretching, complacency etc. Can you give us any more information?
James.
Could be any or all of the above...
Process of elimination.
Remember to shave the lather not the skin.. no pressure.
I won't be the first to say it can upwards of 100 shaves to really get the groove and muscle memory, so don't let yourself get over-confident this early...
I think I have increased the angle over time.
It's like saying "My car is making noises. What do you think is wrong with it?" It could be one of a hundred things. Take your time and try to narrow down what's going on.
This is really weird sounding to me.....I thought everyone used the top of a door to do this.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I am sorry about the lack of clarity on this, and am greatful for the feedback so far.
The cuts were very minor ones, not deep. I think mainly from the leading edge of the blade.
In retrospect it appears that I was becoming too casual with the process. In addition, I am fairly confident that I was exceeding 30 degrees with the blade. Since this thread began, I have become more focused on short strokes, a blade angle of less than 30 degrees, as well as a much more diligent focus on the process. The results have been much better since.
I have found that slowing down reducing the blade angle and stropping 50 times before shaving has really helped. Nick and cuts are gone and the shaves are better than ever!
Seems to happen to many (all) of us...Quote:
Originally Posted by Augustagj
As some point we forget that we are taking an un-guarded razor to our face/neck and we forget that we "need to pay attention"
Good news is that you have moved to the next level of confidence.
Better news is that you have not received a "career ending injury" in the process, and can now move on to more comfort and closeness...note that comfort was first...
Smooth Shaving...