Thread: Throw in the towell, SR and the strop that hasnt even arrived yet?

Keep the blade almost flat against your face. Don't go for a 30 degree angle, have the spine of the razor off of your face by only one width of the razor. This will halep the razor glide over your face, instead of having it want to dig into it!

Hey Jim,
Welcome to SRP!
It can only get better now... its like the first scratch on your new car.. The good thing is that this scratch will probably be gone in a couple of days..

On my third shave I tried to shave my upperlip against the grain and I looked like I was attacked by a wild cat.. after that I only really nicked myself a couple of times when I was in a hurry..

last time I bled I didnt know where my steptic pencil was... when I found it the bleeding had stopped..

Maarten

Always be aware of where the tip of the blade is. Read my sig below for what helps me avoid cuts. Read this post by Lynn for easing into it.

Originally Posted by jleeg

In need of support. Am I really going to slice myself each time I try?

Cutting yourself up while shaving is normally a self correcting problem (the more you practice the better you get) so I wouldn't let a bad first attempt stop you. Would you have given up learning to drive if the first time out you got into a minor fender bender? I would study a little more before trying again as there is a lot of good advice on this forum such as staying away from the chin and upper lip areas until you have first gotten a handle on the grip/angle/stroke aspects of using a straight. For what it's worth I've been doing this for a couple decades and still cut myself once in a while when I don't pay attention.

You could certainly give up. You should see how often I cut myself with a DE. On the other hand, you many have learned the most important and painful lesson really early.

If you want some real honest advice, totally unbiased, I would suggest you just keep using both. Use the DE predominately and just work your straight in a little at a time for the next 6 months to a year.

Rushing into a shave or the process as a whole isn't really helpful.

You should give up! ... And sell the strop and razor to me for $20

Originally Posted by flyboy

You should give up! ... And sell the strop and razor to me for $20

Thanks all. Of course I'll have a go at it. Cant stop looking at all the posts here at SRP, the online tutorials, the stuff to acquire...know I'm knee deep into this ...and sinking. Will wait till I get the strop, work the blade, and give it the ole college try once again, and again.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Jim

oops, the super glue didnt hold and my ear fell off again

With your incident you have learned (the hard way) to respect the blade but there is no need to fear it.

Put it away for the rest of the week - let your wound heal - use your DE until the weekend. On Saturday, lock yourself in the bathroom (or where ever you shave), prep your whiskers, and go about it slow. Work on your sideburns and cheeks only (leave the neck, upper lip and chin alone - use your DE for these areas). Do NOT force the blade - if it feels like it is "caught" don't push through. Lift the blade, reposition, and try again. Take short, deliberate strokes through the whole process.

As you get comfortable with your sideburns and cheeks, move to another easy area. Repeat this process over a few shaves until you are able to do your entire face. Once you get the hang of it you will love shaving this way.

Please let us know how you make out.

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Rick

Give it a chance! You'll see improvements with every shave. Then all of a sudden, one day you'll realize that this is one of the best things you've ever done. The final results of a BBS shave is very gratifying! And your wife will LOVE the way your skin looks and mostly feels! Just ask questions whenever you have one and someone will be more than willing to assist you! Get that strop, use it on the razor and have a great shave! Just remember, don't ry to take all the whisker off in one pass, ecspecially being new to str8s. But you might want to donate blood at the Blood bank just in case! (Only joking)Have fun, and enjoy the shave!

ok as one of the more senior members here, in years of membership anyways,(certainly not by post count) I will admit that it is very disheartening when one cuts himself...i remember this feeling well...however do not loose heart or motivation, you have entered a brotherhood that will nurture your interest in this field.My first shaves were by barbers so i learned that way, so to speak.

Facts...anyone who doesnt cut themselves atleast occasionally be it very occasionally is a storyteller ....

This is not an activity with first time results

The sight of blood will terrify anyone with a resounding...oohh you bugger....wtf!!

I cut myself every now and again so dont worry about it, they heal fast plus usually you can shave a day or so later as long as you dont bring the razor in at the same angle as the cut...

Please give it a chance and enjoy the shave that most men and women now, never have experienced!!

Your amongst friends and brothers of the blade....good luck and stick with it..

regards,simon