Thread: bleep, bleep, bleep!!!!

Restraint is my biggest challenge - I'll just have one more go at that tricky bit - seconds later... razor burn / nick / cut!!

Mindfullness is the other challenge - the second I lose it, I've got a nick or cut! I guess that's one thing you have to keep however experienced you get - part of the charm of the straight razor too I think

All the best,
Michael.

A big revelation to me was to really make a stroke by stroke effort to be as light as possible with the blade. I picture the blade not as a blade, but as a very soft paint brush. I try to duplicate the sensation of very very lightly brushing the edge on my face. A great razor made with great steel and with a great edge actually is pleasurable to shave with. I mean the sensation is not the least bit uncomfortable when all those things are true in unison. Such little pressure and shorter strokes for me. I had to correct myself early on and realize that I must let the blade to the work. I'm there only to guide the razor. If the razor can't do the work and requires me to add pressure, etc, then the razor is not sharp enough to shave.

Chris L

202 days since my last cut. This is one of those things that the more you do it the easier it gets. Just take your time and let your style develop your pace.

Good luck,

Ray

Messing up with a straight (only happened once, as I am fairly new to this) is comparable to a bike crashed. I missed a downhill curve several years ago and it took over a year to be comfortable riding in a pack or going downhill. If you lost confidence, it will come back.
My first and last major cut was on the jaw line, 1.5 inch from the ear. My jaw line was a little numb for 2 days.

I recommend getting the Radio Shack 60x to 100x microscope...

Radio Shack Illuminated Mini Microscope
Illuminated Microscope - RadioShack.com
catalog# 63-1313
$12
2 AAA batteries

Using it to examine your blade won't solve every problem. But, if the edge is straight and the bevel smooth, and the razor is sharp enough to cut hair easily you are in the ball park in my opinion. If so, you might still have face irritation. But, I don't think it will be major problems like you describe.

Are any children present in your home? I say this not to mock you but it's been known to happen. Not to make light of your situation I sympathize. While I've never been there I have however, nicked myself. Just last night. I typically get maybe 1-3 nicks but each shave gets better for me. I'm still new and by no means an expert.

Take your time and if you've a DE/safety razor handy use that. Don't feel "obligated" to force yourself into using the SR. Otherwise you'll just end up cutting/nicking or even worse. You'll be frustrated and may end up giving up on the whole art of SR shaving.

Inspite of countless hours of reading/research I've done it means nothing if the knowledge isn't applied; without it techniques can't be developed. I need all help I can get as much as any newbie out there.

In short, you have great talented people here who can help and give you proper advice.

Take care

biggest mistake i made was last friday i was rushing and didnt have time for a proper shave, i used a gillette safety one ewwwwwwwwwww rubbish shave stressed me out for at least three days loads of irritation razor burn ingrown hairs and spots, straights all the way

What I've noticed is whether with a straight or a DE I always get nicks when I'm in a hurry. I never use the straight when I'm short on time and stick to the DE. Even then I'll take a bit more patience with the strokes as oddly enough I get more nicks with a DE than with a straight. My DE is a very old Shick, I'm thinking it might be the bad guy here...

This is something that happens to me from time to time. My in-laws play a game called lets try to get Nathan to slash his own thoat. They find this game hilarious, but not me. They will stand behind me arguing and making noise. Just two nights ago my father in-law let out a tremendous HHHHAAAAAACCCCCHHHHOOOOOOOOOO while I was shaving. Luckily he timed it badly, the razor wasn't on my face at the time.
Needless to say sometimes I get the odd nick or cut. When that happens I have learned that if I try to use a straight the next night I just open up the old wounds. The solution for me is to switch to a DE for a few nights, then go back to the straight.

Dude why don't you lock your bathroom or do they not have doors to bathrooms there?

They're depriving you of your santimonius ritual. Raise hell. Don't care if they're your in-laws. It's obvious SR is dangerous even to someone in capable hands. One slip it could be nick but the next slip could be laceration and blood gushing splooge.

Don't even say "in asian culture we respect elders..." well they're obviously not respecting you. There's a time and place to joke around and you clearly state:

They find this game hilarious, but not me.

When someone has a blade to his face it doesn't take rocket scientist to figure out it best not to distract the shaver.

Originally Posted by vanp

What I've noticed is whether with a straight or a DE I always get nicks when I'm in a hurry. I never use the straight when I'm short on time and stick to the DE. Even then I'll take a bit more patience with the strokes as oddly enough I get more nicks with a DE than with a straight. My DE is a very old Shick, I'm thinking it might be the bad guy here...

Welcome aboard! I use to have Schck too and went to Remington shaver. They no longer have the cutters and replacement screen locally.
Not that it mattered i was on my way to straights. Besides the battery was done for anyway.