Thread: Most serious straight-related injury?

I ordered a new straight recently and am currently waiting for it to arrive. When my wife found out I was going to try it out, she got very worried that I would seriously injure myself. Now, I realize that people have been shaving with straights for many years and the chances of serious injury must not be very high. I will pose the question though: what's the most serious cut you've ever gotten with a straight? I figure if I can tell my wife some war stories that didn't end in serious maiming she might worry less about the whole thing.

Below: what appears to be the worst-case straight razor injury (and possibly what my wife is envisioning).

To be honest, I've never gotten a serious injury. I've been shaving with a straight for 8-9 months now, and the worst I've gotten is a little cut here or there. But nothing that left any permanent marks, and they healed just fine (as would any little shaving nick from a "regular" razor).

The one place I've cut a couple of times by mistake that you typically wouldn't cut by any other means is my earlobe! If you're not being careful when you shave your sideburn area the tip of the balde can catch a lobe.

But as long as you're careful and respect the blade, you won't have any "war stories".

Your wife has nothing to worry about!

Once I was wiping a blade down with Semi-Chrome and sliced my thumb pad pretty good. As far as nicks or shaving cuts I have done the worst with a DE (knocking on wood).

One member here shoved his spike clear through his ear when a 4th of July fireworks show started up outside. There are photos around here somewhere... it wasn't pretty...

I nicked my chin once when my dog licked my ankle on the ATG pass, and still have a bit of a dimple there but it's nearly gone now. I think the constant scraping eventually makes scars disappear.

In general though they're not nearly as dangerous as they're made out to be. Men shaved with them for centuries after all. But you can't be stupid around them.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Once I was wiping a blade down with Semi-Chrome and sliced my thumb pad pretty good. As far as nicks or shaving cuts I have done the worst with a DE (knocking on wood).

Did that this morning (but it was a Kropp...). Man, them suckers is SHARP!

Worst injury. About my 3rd shave. Had no clue what I was doing. Put a thin scratch from my sideburn to my jaw.

Shave her legs once and she won't complain again.

I think the worst I've had is a nick on my upper lip I did early on, it wasn't very bad at all, but it was a PITA becuase for the next couple of days I caught the same spot.

When I told my mum (student) that I had a straight razor she said 'i don't want it in the house' needless to say since I've started shaving every day and she's felt my smooth as silk face she doesn't complain any more lol.

I cut myself on the first stroke with a SR!! Not so bad, but put the fear of God in me and delayed my forray into SR shaving.

I've done the earlobe thing also. Now more careful locating the blade when coming down from the sideburn.

I've taken some wicked divitts in my time with a DE. Got too complacent. Straight generally keeps me alert!!

Dont drop your blade and dont shave in the nude.

jim

No serious injuries here, but I do know of two gentlemen who cut a finger tip each off. Luckily finger pads actually grow back, the only part of the human body to do so naturally, but don't feed that nonsense. If she starts freaking again ask her to find you one example of someone who has been seriously injured using a straight razor. That'll keep her busy for a while.

X

I have only been using a straight for 2 weeks. The only cut I had was on my very first stroke. I caught my ear. Look out for the tip when doing sideburns. Nothing serious.

Also, tell your wife that if she is going to approach you when you are shaving have her announce herself before she gets close. This way you won't get startled and cut yourself.