Straight shavin' for a week

Been using my straight for just over a week now, and I still have yet to have a complete shave without getting the styptic out! That said, today's was just a teeny little nick on the edge of my septum whilst going XTG on the top lip.
How long did it take you guys to get nick-free?

The Mrs thinks I'm stupid for voluntarily cutting myself when I used to get perfectly fine shaves with a cartridge, but I'm in this for the long haul! I see it as turning something that is a daily chore into a hobby!

I'm off to buy a block of alum now. I think I need that full face sting to prove that she's right and I am just being stupid...

Iain

I'm still a newbie, but shaving for a few months - still not doing the "whole straight shave" yet. This is a marathon, so pace yourself.

Funny you should mention that... I nicked myself on the moustache, just beneath my nose on this morning's shave. I was doing the "coup de maitre" and you have to come in at a terrifying 85 degree angle, so I did it with both hands, one on the tang, one on the front. Just a little too much much pressure, but it was small.

That said, I'm like you, newbie, just started str8 about 3 weeks ago, and apart from a trip out of town I've been doing it every day. Other than the nick of the nose, today's shave was ultra smooth. I'm finding that the real trick is to stretch the skin as taught as you can before moving the blade. My face is still smooth and I shaved 11 hours ago. Really BBS, and I think this is only the 2nd or 3rd time I've gotten that, but you have to learn completely new moves and techniques, and after forty years of DE shaving, that's a bit of a challenge.

Keep going and good luck!

If it makes you feel better, I've still got a slightly visible roughly 2" long scar along my cheekbone from a shave when I think I was about 2 months in. That was a couple of years ago, too. Barely stung at the time, but boy that styptic pencil burned. My tip: Don't try advanced shaving techniques until you're sure you've got the basics down ("scything" in my case). But little nicks, especially in the beginning, I think, are to be expected. You're still learning the geometry of the blade and the shape of your face. You're gonna nick yourself and you're gonna burn yourself, and it might even get worse before it gets better, especially if you mess up the edge while stropping or something. Just keep plugging along, and eventually you'll only nick yourself when you get careless.

There's nothing wrong with nicks. They are the Shaving Gods' way of telling you that you are not quite there yet. There is nothing like a good nick to get you properly awake in the morning. They spice up your shave.

I'm probably cursing myself by saying it but almost 2 weeks in shaving daily and no nicks of any kind yet. Shaves keep getting smoother, face is feeling less and less irritated with each shave. If I had my time back I would have done this 25 years ago. Try not pushing the razor into your skin, just enough pressure to hold it against you and no more. It's working for me.

You're not stupid at all, Iain. Blood is just part of the process, that's all. All of us end up donating blood for the sake of the art, just some more than others :). If it will make you feel any better I'll let you in on a little secret: nicks and cuts aren't just newbie mistakes - they happen to the green and the seasoned alike. It will all come together in time, and since you said you're in for the long haul I know you've got the time!

Cheers,

Ryan

Hey man I agree with Ryan. I'm new at this too. Didn't cut myself a single time my first shave, second time however it looked like I had been run through a briar patch face first pulled by an out of control runaway horse. You're not stupid other people just don't get it. You're wife will come around when your face is all BBS and you smell good like a man's man, mine did. Don't give up. Good luck and great shaving.

Ronny

some very great thoughts in this thread :) keep at it, I had quite a few nicks with my first couple straight shaves...still get the odd one even after 2 years

After a year and a half, I'm still getting occasional nicks. Sometimes with straight razor, sometimes (like this morning) with a DE (usually with a Feather blade).

I'm still on my original styptic pencil, so the total blood loss has been very low.

Whenever I think I've mastered the "art of shaving" - - - OUCH !

Charles

Sounds like you are doing well for only a week in, don't get discouraged though, it does get better :)

I am about 4 months of Straight shaving in now and I thought I'd never get past those first few weeks, I was bleeding and couldn't get a close shave to save my butt, one day it all just clicked and I got a presentable shave and it gradually got better an I gained confidence with the straight, still don't have the guts to try scything on the neck but eventually.

PS, even 4 months in, I still have to touch up my neck with the DE, just haven't got the trick of getting close with the str8 there yet....but I'm in no rush, Straight shaving is all about the journey my friend not the destination :) Just relax, slow down and enjoy the ride :)

Thanks to all for the replies! Yep, I'm definitely in this one for the haul. Like you, mcgyver, I have to touch up the neck with a cartridge sometimes, especially around my Adam's apple! Off out for our anniversary on friday so I thnk I'll stop with the 2nd pass for now. I don't want to look like i've been attacked on our night out!

Nice to know that even the seasoned pros get a nick every so often. I have zero left hand control, but I'm teaching myself to shave the left of my face with my left hand. It's working so far...

Thanks for the support, fellas!

Iain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace

There's nothing wrong with nicks. They spice up your shave.

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especially when you put something on those nicks!!