Thread: Bad Day at Black Rock

Well it had to happen eventually. I've been shaving with a Str8 for about 5 weeks and am getting fairly cocky about it. I can now get an ok everyday shave with one pass and some touchups around the jawline and chin on a second pass. So yesterday I was in a hurry and promptly sliced off a bump on my left cheek, put a 1 inch slice in my right jaw/cheek and generally pissed my self off.

I touched it all up with cold water and a styptic pencil and proceeded to hurriedly clean my str8. As I wiped it down with a bit of toilet paper, the heel of the blade sliced the pad of my middle finger nearly to the bone I uttered several self deprecating remarks and went looking for antiseptic and bandages.

Ten Lessons about shaving with a Str8 I learned this week:

(10) Shave ready razors are sharp from end to end;
(9) Cut fingers can generate a lot of blood;
(8) Don't rush shaving with a Str8;
(7) Concentrate at all times when handling sharp tools;
(6) Its hard to type accurately and quickly with a bandage on your hand;
(5) No one has sympathy for a guy who cuts himself with a Str8;
(4) It's really hard to put on a shirt single handed;
(3) Even if you keep the blood from your hand off the shirt, don't forget the slice on your cheek;
(2) You get asked a lot of really stupid questions (Example: "Cut Yourself Shaving?") with an inch long scab on your face and blood on your collar; and

(1) The wounds heal, the scars fade, and I'm getting up early and shaving with a Str8 tomorrow morning.

Cheers, Mike Layne

Sorry to hear that Mike. Yeah, I've also learned the hard way. Whenever I shave now, I make sure I'm concentrating. And if I'm too tired or feel hurried, I leave it for the next day.

Rule [5] has an exception: you'll get sympathy from other str8 shavers!

Keep on keeping on!
Mark

P.S. You might want to give it a rest and let your face heal before shaving with a str8. I've found that cuts which look like they've healed still have very thin, soft skin still and are likely to open up a little with normal shaving.

Specifically, cuts form scar tissue, which is a more or less random granular mass, half of which sits proud of the old surface of your skin. You are going to shave it off smooth with the rest of your face in time, but best to wait until it has started to harden up.

How do I know? And what is that inch long slash doing on my cheek? :-)

I could see myself doing this too. I get pretty cocky with things, and the next thing you know I need a new arm. At any rate, I guess I am extremely lucky that the first day I ever held a straight razor I was able to shave my entire face with no hiccups. However, I am getting to a point where I am confident with my razor, and that is good. But, I know that I will eventually have something like this happen to me.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I empathize with you. Happy shaving!

I put a rather nasty inch long cut in my cheek a couple of days ago too. Thankfully nothing more serious but I did get a knowing look of sympathy (from the nice man at Trumpers, no I'm not spending MORE money on shaving stuff) whilst visiting a shop.

my wife just read this thread and now wants me to give up before i start!!! but i aint gonna

Been at it several months. Two days ago.. whacked myself good. Concentration is the key. Cocky and or hurried results in the same damage. But , the wife thinks its sexy. If I get a great shave or cut no matter, its still sexy smooth or scarred. Go figure!

I also have some simple rules about straight shaving.

1. Never shave naked.
2. Keep an eye on the blade at all times while it's in my hand(s).
3. Make sure I have enough ass and elbow room so I don't bump into anything.
4. Don't talk to anyone.
5. Kick the cat out of the room (PETA note: "kick" is just a figure of speech ).

Originally Posted by stangman

1. Never shave naked.
2. Keep an eye on the blade at all times while it's in my hand(s).
3. Make sure I have enough ass and elbow room so I don't bump into anything.
4. Don't talk to anyone.
5. Kick the cat out of the room (PETA note: "kick" is just a figure of speech ).

1. Uhm ... I'm actually joining Rich and going comando for about half my shaves these days.
2. AYE
3. AYE
4. You obviously don't live with someone like my wife The Validator.
5. I wonder how a new cat here may change that for me, but I don't suspect there'll be any issues.

X

I use rounded and spikes but I almost did the Vangough thing with a new spike. I agree, keep your eye on the blade. Although it is a bit tough when I'm shaving the back of my head.