Thread: Second Straight Shave - nicks bleed a lot!

It was with great eagerness and anticipation that I had my second shave this evening. So I stropped about 20 times on the linen, and then about 40ish times on the leather. One thing was for sure, that razor was SHARP. Kudos to SRD for a fantastic razor/honing and TM for a top notch strop!

I placed the razor under my sideburn and proceeded to use short strokes downward. It was on my cheek that I made my first mistake. I wiped the razor of shaving soap, then placed it on the cheek, thought I had a 30degree angle and went downward. I felt a sharp pinch and figured I pulled a hair. I continued on, and a few strokes later, a big deep red drop appeared where I had the sharp pinch. I looked closer and realized I actually dug it into the skin a wee bit. About a half an inch long. I used a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.

I continued on. The next part was under my nose. I placed the razor on the upper lip, thought I had a 30 degree angle and went downward. And wham - another pinch. Not near as bad as the cheek cut, but still a blood drop appeared.

A harsh journey I so far, but still I treaded on. On towards my chin! Here I am thinking is going to be the roughest part, but it went ok. Left side of face, I had another pinch. Again, it seemed to happen when I placed the razor on the face and glided it down. Finished everything else without any issues. Couldn't do a second pass as I had too many "land mines" to avoid.

And of course it was at this point the wife decided to make an appearance. She just gave me one of those looks that wives like to give. Then she walks in and hands me my 4 y/o son's plastic "Thomas the Tank Engine" razor.

Unfortunately, looks like I am going to have to put shaving on hold for a while to give my face a chance to heal up. I am wondering if anyone else has had these types of pinches/cuts that happen in the same manner? I am starting to think I have to keep the razor in motion before it touches the face? I could of sworn I had a 30 degree angle... Any advice for a newbie much appreciated!

Curious if you have a spike point razor? Is that what's biting you?

I have no issues with putting a ridiculously sharp razor on my face and leaving it there without moving. I'd say keeping it moving before it touches your face is a dangerous proposition. Just use a light touch and let the razor do it's job. You shouldn't have to press too hard.

And if you do have a spike, keep a close eye on that bugger till you get the hang of it.

My son as a plastic spider man razor. I know the feeling.

Sounds like you may not have been stretching enough?

The Lip well I never shave that but that is a tricky part from what I understand. Also it sounds like, and pardon the phrase, got a little ****y. Your first shave went well and you relaxed. No problem with relaxing but you need to pay more attention. Once you learn the strokes and can do it blind folded then relax, until then, stretch a little and keep your wits about you.

Keep up the fight, and remember that you can shave with a nick you just gotta be careful.

Respectfully
SW

Hmmm... I might try laying the blade at a really flat angle (like 5 degrees) to lay it on the skin, then to start my shaving stroke gently ease it up to about 20 degrees.

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Curious if you have a spike point razor? Is that what's biting you?

I have no issues with putting a ridiculously sharp razor on my face and leaving it there without moving. I'd say keeping it moving before it touches your face is a dangerous proposition. Just use a light touch and let the razor do it's job. You shouldn't have to press too hard.

And if you do have a spike, keep a close eye on that bugger till you get the hang of it.

Its a round point - Dovo tortoise 5/8. It could very well be I used too much pressure. I'll make a note of it to use less pressure next time.

Some great suggestions.

I know I didn't stretch out the skin too much, and I'll definitely try out that trick of placing the razor flat and then angling it from there. Great idea!

So;
1) Be very gentle and use as little pressure as possible to get the job done.
2) Stretch skin out enough.
3) Place razor flat and then start to angle it.

It may also have to do with the grind of the razor. Some people, myself included, have problems with them. You may want to try something a bit meatier.

Al raz.

Here is a post where SRP founder Lynn Abrams gives some tips for the first few shaves. I know when I started I used a DE for the chin and mustache for the first couple of weeks. Took me so long to shave with a straight when I first started that the lather would dry on my face and I had to rinse and re-lather before I was done with my first pass. Read my sig line below. It worked for me and still does.