Thread: Thought I was all that....

Just tried my second straight shave with near-disastrous results. Stress has been extremely high lately and so I figured a good relaxing shave would do the trick. Might have, if it had been good.

My first attempt (about 4 days ago or so) was actually a second pass after I had already shaved with my Fusion razor. The results were impressive only because I didn't hack my face up with the razor.
This time I decided to go straight for it with 4 or 5 days of growth on my face. Mistake. The slices in my face are many, the shave is terrible, and the razor burn is intense. However, this noob mistake pales in comparison to what happened next.

I followed the advice of using a towel for the razor wipes, but I occasionally find myself using the faucet out of habit and because my attention is on my face and beard. Do you see where this is going? With my off-hand I made a fairly successful swipe and, WITHOUT LOOKING, dipped my beautiful razor in the sink and heard the slightest little tap against the porcelain with the spike point. Thought I was going to have a stroke or something. Doesn't "appear" to be any damage, and it still shaved well without slicing me (at least not any more than usual). Also didn't appear to scratch the strop when I stropped it post-shave.

Should I be concerned?

Don't be too concerned. Just take it easy, stay within yourself, and enjoy the process. It's actually counter-productive to have too many thoughts in mind when you are on such a steep learning curve, so I'll just give you two that IMHO, make up the foundation for all future great shaves: Tight skin, and light pressure. That will get you through, trust me.

Upon further investigation I found the barest of dings that scratched my nail, but barely. I was able to smooth it out to be undetectable and stropped and stropped and stropped. Seems alright.
Still working on stretching the face properly...some areas are frustratingly hard to stretch and get to. But the pressure is something I'm getting a little used to.
Should I send this razor for repair/honing or just be more careful?

If you find yourself going for the faucet, and that it keeps being a hard habit to break, here's what worked for me. I got a big square sponge from the grocery store, rinsed it and washed it. I place it in the bottom of the sink before I shave, and soak it with hot water. That's what I use to wipe the scud off the blade. Works like a charm, and protects the razor from the porcelain devil!

Keep calm and carry on. Your face will heal. Strop up and get at it when it does.

Maxi

Originally Posted by SkinnyChef

Upon further investigation I found the barest of dings that scratched my nail, but barely. I was able to smooth it out to be undetectable and stropped and stropped and stropped. Seems alright.
Still working on stretching the face properly...some areas are frustratingly hard to stretch and get to. But the pressure is something I'm getting a little used to.
Should I send this razor for repair/honing or just be more careful?

Depends how big it is and if it affects your shaving. If it so small you need a magnifier to see it and it does not appear to be affecting your shave quality I wouldn't worry about it. If you can feel it when you shave or it really bothers you send it out.

If you are really stressed I wouldn't think shaving would be a calming thing to do. Soak in a hot tub or something. I wouldn't want a straight near my face if I was stressed.

SR shaving is a discipline, it takes practice and most of all patience. Attention to detail and confidence are in there too. Your shave starts at the strop, you strop before you shave, start thinking about what you are doing and how your going to start and where you are going to start. That's how I do it, I listen to the razor sing and get focused as I stop. Proceed to lather, start shutting off distraction, stretch skin and slowly begin my shave. We had a saying in the Marines, slow is smooth and smooth is fast, in this case, slow is safer. Good luck



Mind your edge.