Thread: Bloodied and sliced newbie

This is my first shave story.

Yes, bloodied and sliced. waited 2 days now with growth through the scabs and contemplating a trip to the doctor to sew up my right index finger. (1/2'' long, very deep cut doesn't look like it's going to heal right)

Having appreciated a good shave, invested in a nice brush and such (Mach 3 turbo, good shave cream, etc), the next step is for the str8 edge. I purchased Prima Klang Dovo and lubed up well. Honed and stropped, passed the hair test.

First shave Sunday night (give me more time to learn), showered and started the shave. I have a goatee, so i thought shouldn't be all that tough not having to deal with nose, chin, etc. First couple swipes went okay, awkward trying to find the right angle, went to switch my grip and BOOM, blade sliced finger bad... bad. Lots of blood. Undeterred, I continued and wasn't getting 100% smooth going with the grain, so went sideways for a couple more swipes (i was craving the baby butt skin everyone talks about). I continued until scrapes and blood appeared.

Long story short, i finished the shave. A bit in shock because of the finger and face trauma. Wiped the Alum bar all over and then moisturizing aftershave.

Next morning, pain.. pain. I showered and lubed up face first with pure Vit. E, then a good moisturizing after shave. Went yesterday w/o shaving and today. I think, maybe the pain and scabs have subsided, but i am dreading the shave tomorrow.

Questions, please from a desparate noob.

- with the grain, only? Do i need a half or quarter hollow b/c i have a somewhat tough beard, so the Prima Klang isn't quite tough/stiff enough? No against the grain?

- Continue tomorrow with razor and bear it? I'm sure i'll get used to it, right?

- I have Lab Series shave cream with novacain type numbing agent. Should i use this next time to ease the pain?

- Strop during the shave? Okay if it's wet and gets the leather wet? Dry it first?

- any advice for neck? direction?

Thanks for any advice you have for me.

JJ

1. Start with the grain only, to practice things like grip and angle and such.

Has the razor been sharpened properly?

I don't think stropping during the shave is necessary. It's mostly used to remove the small amounts of corrosion that has formed overnight, and to align the edge.

Any decent quality razor should give you a decent shave, if not great.

Don't stress too much about the baby smooth just yet. Work on making it work without cutting yourself.
J.

Return to the Norelco and don't look back. Some are not meant to use sharp tools. Another caution: don't even attempt to dice vegetables for purposes of cooking, eat victuals raw. Valuable parts should not be sacrificed to the dining gods. Flee quickly; godspeed.

First, if you don't have patience, you better expect more of this. BBS w/o irritation comes quite a bit after the razor feels like an extension of your hands. There are many things to master.

If your face still hurts I think it may be better to use a razor you're more familiar with - mach 3 perhaps. Even when you use your straight razor next you should stick to WTG pass only preferrably on the flat parts of the face so that you don't cut yourself. Slowly expand the area you're shavng as you feel more comfortable with the razor.
Even if it's not particularly close, the shave should be presentable, and it sure beats what you're describing.

What Bruce and Gugi said.

Deep slice on your finger and you were still determined to keep going? That's ......I don't know what word would be apropos here. I'll say you have gumption or something. Deep cuts anywhere on my body usually put me in an instantaneously cranky and apathetic mood.

I hope things heal well for you and start slowly. Someone once said: "Even a dull razor is an extremely sharp knife" or something like that. Boy is it true. That reminds me; I'm due for a Tetanus shot.

Chris L

Just to confirm, did you have the razor professionally honed by a skilled honemeister? Are you familiar with proper stropping techniques and confident the edge wasn't harmed by your stropping?

Assuming you can answer the first two questions with a yes, the best advice is to keep practicing but be aware that you don't over do it. It's easy to continue shaving your face trying for the BBS shave without realizing your doing yourself harm. Just assume you may have to finish up your shave with a cartridge or electric for the first 5 to 10 shaves. Be aware that sometimes is gets better before it gets worse though.

Good luck and keep it up.

Thanks for the replies. No bruce... i am not a quitter. Although you have me pegged with sharp objects (severed ligament in finger, knife/deer cleaning accident).

I'll continue to learn, because i want to master this.

I think it's sharpened properly, it was done by the merchant. i got the good dovo strop.

How about the neck?

What's up with the damascus steel blades? Nice looking, but at $800-$1000, is it like buying an overpriced pretentious a$$hole piece, or is it truly the grail of razors?

Who did the honing?

Damascus won't shave any better than any other steel. But it is beautiful. One could argue a better shave can be acheived from a cartridge but many guys interested in straight razors are looking for something beyond simply removing hair from their face. Shaving with a one of a kind piece of art created by a talented craftsman can be part of that.

man -

you get points for tenacity, but so what?

DOn't force it, stick with the grain for a month or so. Hair test by itself doesn't mean the razor is really honed well. Why don't you send it to one of the meisters here. Start small, as others have already advised. Get used to the angles.

My first shave story was pretty bad in the eyes of the forum members, I was unfazed - but in retrospect it could have been easier and simpler.

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by Bruce

Return to the Norelco and don't look back. Some are not meant to use sharp tools. Another caution: don't even attempt to dice vegetables for purposes of cooking, eat victuals raw. Valuable parts should not be sacrificed to the dining gods. Flee quickly; godspeed.

Thats one of the funniest posts ive seen in awhile....