Thread: I'm SCARED!

First razor arrived today (Burrell Top Flight). I was a bit worried before, but NOW!!!

This is stupidly sharp, I'm not sure I can put it anywhere near my face, I think I'll just lock it away and forget I even considered I could do something so stupid. One guy here shaved his whole face TWICE first time!!!

I think I'll just look at it and polish it (very carefully)...

COOOOL looking razor though, about 55 bucks, seems VERY sharp (as you might infer from my remarks above). Might buy another from that guy...to polish and look at...

Don't be scared, be respectful of that edge. Use it, and keep it so lightly against your face you see it wipe away the lather without really feeling it against your skin. Keep that spine about twice it's thickness above your skin and you'll have a working angle to fine tune as you get more confident. Don't expect great results straight away and only do a small section to start with. Keep your regular razor handy to finish the task. If you prep you whole face and lather up like you intend to use the cut-throat for the entire job, you'll even find that your crappy cart head razor will give you a better than usual shave.
Never let Fear stop you from trying something new. You'll only live to regret it.


Mick

Heh, it's not that dangerous.
Just read up on what needs to be done in order to use it properly, and you'll soon be shaving like a champ.

Check out the beginners guide on here.
In fact, it's right here in my sig-line

Good luck with it!

+1 What Mick said.

or to use another quote:

"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain"

Another Mick

Thanks MickR, but I can't even see how you could SEE the spine, my hand's in the way! Am I stupid? Great results at this stage will be no actual hospital visit, I intend on shaving about a CM or two only. I have been practising lathering (I normally use a brush and cream anyway. Only Palmolive though, in a tube, and a supermarket brush). Just watched a couple of insane guys with a razor at their faces; how do they DO it?!?

Birnando, thanks for the comments, it IS scary though, isn't it?

Thanks MickRussell, that quote was in Full Metal Jacket, wasn't it? Was it Full Metal Jacket? if I and all of my face remains I WILL be happy.

Well, here goes, not morning (no way I could do this in the morning), no time like the present though. I'll report back, or else, see you on the other side...keep up the good fight...

I was scared of the blade, so much my hands shook. Now I have no nose. No nose Stu they call me now... NNS for short.



Kidding kidding!

As the other gents say, don't be scared of it, just treat it with some care as you would any other sharp edge.

I can honestly say that the worst cut I've got since dropped the Mach 3 in the bin was from my DE. I forgot it had two edges and lifted it into the underside of my nose...! Slice.

A straight will hive you the smoothest most comfortable shave you've ever had. Jump in and enjoy!

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Thanks MickRussell, that quote was in Full Metal Jacket, wasn't it? Was it Full Metal Jacket? if I and all of my face remains I WILL be happy.

Actually it's from Dune by Frank Herbert.

I've been around sharp blades most of my life, many of my own doing (I can't stand dull blades), so although I'm cautious I don't fear them. Treat it with respect but remember you're the one in charge, not the blade.

Well that was cool. Seriously cool. I felt, like, Vintage French, all lathered up in my singlet with a razor pulling funny faces in the mirror, should have had some French music on and a cigarette smoking away on the bathroom sink. Not what one might really call a shave, but I did both sides (not the neck). Maybe TOO light? So now I'm going to shave at night, as it now takes 1/2 an hour to do so...Lucky I have the facial hair growth of a 12 year old Polynesian girl.

The grip is an issue, and drying cream. And should I wipe the razor or wash? Maybe not in the sink as it could bang on the side? Would wiping with paper towel dull the blade? I think maybe my grip is stupid (below) is that a stupid grip? That way I can see where I'm going...All the pictures I've seen show the other way, with the hand in the way of the image...

Originally Posted by MickRussell

Actually it's from Dune by Frank Herbert.

I've been around sharp blades most of my life, many of my own doing (I can't stand dull blades), so although I'm cautious I don't fear them. Treat it with respect but remember you're the one in charge, not the blade.

Oh that's right, Dune, good book...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Well that was cool. Seriously cool....

The grip is an issue, and drying cream. And should I wipe the razor or wash? Maybe not in the sink as it could bang on the side? Would wiping with paper towel dull the blade? I think maybe my grip is stupid (below) is that a stupid grip?

Great stuff, you are on your merry way now!

The grip is unorthodox, but if it works..
I'd try to learn the more traditional grip, simply because that gives more feedback and tells you more about what pressure you are using. IMHO.
Seriously, you should check the wiki for different ways to grip the razor.
Also, check out the video-section. That will give you even more info on grips.

The drying soap usually means you're not quite there yet with the balance of product and water.
Add just a tad more water and see how that goes.

Most wipe on a towel or the backs of their hands or rinse it under the faucet.
I always keep a wet sponge on the counter, and wipe it carefully on that.

Hope that helps!
Keep at it, you've done well this far