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DISCLAIMER: I might sound like a big dummy here
just got my first "probable permanent scar" cut at the base of my neck, My question is this, the hair on my neck grows the opposite direction as the hair on the rest of my face, so as a first WTG pass I should start at the base of my neck and shave upwards, right? :confused:
I tried this tonite and got the deep cut and several more on my neck
yes you are correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
lol...happens to everyone
hey, wait a minute...you're not using that razor you got the other day (you lather well I'll shave well) without having it honed are you? :nono:
I must've done something waaaay wrong then ( either that or my stropping technique has a profound dulling effect)
It came honed and my first few shaves were pretty smooth actually, so I'm thinking my stropping sucks big timeQuote:
Originally Posted by red96ta
Yes, just like Sham said. If WTG for you is S to N then so be it (this is the case for me as well). Just remember that you don't have gravity on your side, so you have to keep the pressure light and not force the razor to cut. Also, keep the razor in motion and don't let the blade rest on your face.Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
oh, ok...I retract my tisking finger :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
Stropping can in fact damage your edge if done improperly. Remember to have a tight strop and a light hand on the razor. I say give it a couple more days. Your technique is in flux at the moment which means that one day is good, the next is bad, and you have no idea why. At this point, it's about learning proper technique and poor technique can mimic a poorly honed or stropped razor...hope that makes sense. Try the hanging hair test to see if it cuts the hair...after that, choose a patch of arm of leg hair and see how that works out. If both pass, you need to look at technique. If it pulls your arm hair instead of cutting it, then it'll need to be rehoned.
passed the HHT with flying colors, so I guess ye oulde technique be needing some helpQuote:
Originally Posted by red96ta
My neck hair also grows N to S and in wild directions as well. I've always assumed this is the case with eveyone. A cut like you describe sounds like you may have inadvertently brought the edge of the blade across the neck. That's the only way I've ever gotten a really severe cut.
Hi,
Wear those 'duelling' scars with pride; they are the marks of rite of passage :)
Have fun !
regards
Russ
Cuts happen to us all when we're learning. And on the odd occasions now when I'm not paying as much attention as I should be lol..! :D
Mine was just as bad. Took a long time to get the hang of it. I am better at using a barbers hone which helped a lot after my dulling the blade with a strop.Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
I've since become better at stropping.
I think the HHT is horse crap.Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
My kids bolt in the door, I bleed!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stubear
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeinkalispell
How are you caring for that cut?
A triple antibiotic like NEOSPORIN® is a good thing.
yep, slapped some neosporin on it right away, today it doesn't look too bad and isn't a big gross scab eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by niftyshaving
I would always shave downward..when I was a teen using cheap o razors my Iranian friend told me once his dad always shaves ATG and has done so for 20years..which why his beard when it grows i looks like its growing upward...interesting..but anyways..I was always told going with the grain of yer beard is best to start with to minimize direction and angles..good luck and sorry for your scar.
pcdad
Just my twopence worth-
Are you adjusting the angle to 5-10 degrees on WTG passes going upwards?-it sounds like your angle is too steep and leading to cuts.Short strokes are the order of the day.
Hope your cut heals ok.
regards
Noggs
I've been straight shaving for about a year now. In the past year, mostly when I was within my first few months, I've given myself a handful of long cuts like you are talking about.
- Usually happened on my neck on my non-dominant shaving side.
- Usually happened when I didn't switch to my left hand when shaving that side of my neck.
- The angle of the blade is critical.
- Beard prep and a good lather go a very long way. I recently started using a hot towel, 5 applications of steaming hot water, prior to each shave. Adding the additional hot water really softens the face and hair up making it less likely you'll cut yourself.
Use a nice oil and your cut shouldn't scar much.
Cheers :beer2:
Matt
Okay... I am brand new to straight razors.. I don't have one yet, but I was planning on purchasing one for economy and among many other reasons.
I was wondering, how should I go about buying a razor and brush?
Also, learning more about all of the basics?
I was looking for a high quality razor and brush that are affordable.. (college student)
Thank you for any help or comments..
this might be it, i was keeping the blade at what i thought to be 30 degreeishQuote:
Originally Posted by noggs247
I'll take a different view here. If what you are doing at the moment is putting you at increased risk of permanent scarring, don't do it.
I'd prefer a little razor burn than a cut any day of the week. WTG/ATG/XTG are just bells and whistles when compared to safety. Learn to handle that straight properly and safely (and that is usually easiest to do with North to South passes). Worry about the rest later.
BTW, when you say base of the neck, do you mean around the back of your head, or do you mean the bottom of the throat area?
James.
Lofino, welcome here. Just keep reading in the forum and ask some questions. try watching some youtube videos and check out the wiki to get an answer to your questions. Also check out the review section, you'll find member reviews there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lofino
I think you might have accidentally replied to this thread while you wanted to make a new thread.
Try posting again by starting a new thread so you'll have a better chance of getting answers than in someone else's thread :)
@Jakeinkalispel: oil the scar so it doesn't get too big. They have special scar oil for that, also found in stores that sell baby stuff
If u want a basic brush amazon.com. Tweezerman $14 makes them good..it was my first and then gotta Country Uncle big brush for $30 just look for it on google
at the botton of the throatQuote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
Your not a real man until you have a few scars and some great stories behind them.
At least that's what my dad would say. Lol so make up a great story to go with it! Something about fighting off ninjas and stuff.
College student... been there, here are some hints.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lofino
Straight shaving is wet shaving so attack that first.
Get some inexpensive tossabels and a fine (need not be expensive)
brush and a fine soap or two. Spend ten bucks on a
drugstore boar brush or 100 bucks on a very good silvertip badger.
Try to skip the middle ground...
While you are learning the fine art of lathering shave with something
like a Yellow Handle BiC you can then ponder the other decisions:
DE or open edge blade, what brand what strop what price. 4/8 5/8
6/8 and all the other choices.
A neighbor was giddy talking about the new Gillette soon to
be released razor. I gave him a brush, mug, soap a total beginner
kit. He was ASTOUNDED how much that ten dollar kit
improved his shave.
This is not the kit I gave him but it is close.
Search amazon or Walgreens for:
Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush)
i.e. the best way to learn the basics is:
Get wet... it is called wet shaving.
Have fun and welcome.
A friend's mom told him he had "kind" hair. "Kind hair?" he asked. "Yes", she said, "the kind that grows on a dog's butt, in little swirls that go ever-which-way". :roflmao
That's pretty much my neck, I have to map it out first no matter which kind of bladed shaver I use. I'd get lines tattooed to mark out all the contrary places but they wouldn't show through the lather.