Help with Anxiety

**smokelaw1** · 05-20-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by pjrage

I don't know how long it takes to get to where it's like driving a car or walking. I sort of hope it never does... I enjoy it too much for it to become mundane.

That is what I MEANT to say above with my ham-handed babbling response!

**Mudkipz** · 05-20-2009, 08:17 PM

I've only been doing this for about a week, but my anxiety is all but gone now.

I'll admit I was very nervous the first time, it's easy to let your imagination run wild and start picturing some nightmarish scenario that ends with you bleeding out on the floor.

What finally took away all my apprehension was actually giving myself a decent nick. These things are so sharp you really don't feel it, you just notice you're bleeding a bit. Once you get it out of the way, there's no need to worry about it any more.

**warpigs421** · 05-20-2009, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You will be fine once you get started. Here is a post by Lynn with instructions for the first few shaves. Follow those pointers and you will be fine. Read my sig line below to help avoid cuts and nicks. What the previous posters said is all great advice. In a month or two you'll be shaving like a pro.

Hello Jimmy,

First, thanks for the reply. After reading everyone's posts here, guess I'm freaking out a wee too much.

Second, I had a quick question about your sig line:

"An old barber told me to hold the razor securely but lightly enough so that is if it pulls the razor will flex in your fingers and be less likely to nick. He also told me to never force it if it does pull. Following that advice I have rarely gotten a nick."

When you mention that the 'the razor will flex in your fingers...' do you mean like a skew? I guess what I'm thinking, is that if I'm moving the blade down my skin with very light pressure, and the blade begins to pull, it will sort of 'hang' and spin or skew. Basically the blade would stop, and the handle would drop towards the floor. Is that what you mean? I was thinking a flex would be like the blade having a bow to it.

NooB question...

Thanks again,
WP421

**erictski** · 05-20-2009, 09:19 PM

I think what it means is that if you are too tight with the razor you will force your way through the hair and cause burn and cuts but if you use a light grip if the razor isnt cutting properly it will just get hung up in the hairs and you know you need to change your technique or sharpen or strop your razor...

Jimmy or anyone else correct me if I am wrong

**The0ctopus** · 05-20-2009, 09:35 PM

basicly, if you dont nick alot with other razors, your unlikely to nick much with these, as long as you keep track of the blade, its easy to focus on the toe, and let the heel get close to your nose viceversa.

its easy, what are you waitin for?

**Rajagra** · 05-20-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by warpigs421

When you mention that the 'the razor will flex in your fingers...' do you mean like a skew? I guess what I'm thinking, is that if I'm moving the blade down my skin with very light pressure, and the blade begins to pull, it will sort of 'hang' and spin or skew.

I think this demonstrates the kind of flex needed, albeit on an exagerated scale:
YouTube - the rubber pen/pencil illusion

**Chimensch** · 05-20-2009, 10:29 PM

When I was first learning, I made an invocation to the razor before shaving. I think something like, "please don't cut me" will work just fine.

I've been shaving with a straight for a long time now and I rarely cut myself. Fortunately/unfortunately, my 7-day set arrived last Wednesday and I just completed my first full cycle of all 7 razors. What I learned is that, before agreeing to be your razor, all new razors demand a blood sacrifice. So, my advice is to give the blood willingly. It will teach you good technique and it will form a bond of love and respect with your new razor.

**aroliver59** · 05-21-2009, 02:08 AM

One thing to remember is that for many years,EVERYBODY shaved with a straight razor,including 13 or so year old boys when they were starting out.The worst you'll do is nick yourself and I'm sure you've done that with your regular razor.Just think about scraping off the whiskers and don't slide the blade sideways.If you do you'll get a nick,that's all.

**xman** · 05-21-2009, 02:10 AM

Going slow is good. Keep breathing. This really helps relax you. And when you start shaving use the least amount of pressure you can imagine to start and then back off to see how little you really need. You'll do fine!

X

**sebell** · 05-21-2009, 02:28 AM

You'll do just fine. The advice above already
covers thing, so I'll just add this: straight
razor shaving is a skill that will take a while
to develop, but will last a lifetime. Don't be
too worried about your gear, there are
always recourses if you nick your strop or
dull your blade.

- Scott

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