Thread: How often do you cut yourself? Be Honest...

I have been shaving for about a week now, and have been very fortunate. I have only had minor nicks, nothing more than I have ever gotten with a cartridge. However, I am guessing it has just been beginners luck. I did have a very close call. I was going XTG on my cheek, and the contour changed a bit where my dimples are. The blade dug in a bit, but I stopped immediately. I had a nice red line about an inch and a half long on my cheek, but no blood was ever shed from that one!

I seem to have a small "cut" every other shave... But we're talking more like a red irritation mark that doesn't bleed not sure if that counts. In the last 2 months I have had 2 real cuts that have bleed... One stopped right away and the other was when I tried doing my whole face my first shave. Cut a little piece out of my chin... then read the beginners thread on sectioning the face and so far so good since then. Currently getting fairly confident with the neck and soon ready to tackle the chin again...

Three times in the last few months. My left ear keeps getting in the way I've gotten away from lateral movement with the blade while it is on my face. The styptic pencil works for me.

Oh how I wish the styptic pencil worked for me. After I had heart valve replacement surgery six years ago, I have been on a relatively high dose of coumadin. The result is I have to be very, very careful. That's not to say I worry about bleeding to death, rather, it's just so darned time consuming waiting for even the tiniest of cuts to stop bleeding. However, one time, a long time ago, I cut myself shaving (with the straight) pretty deeply; I recall, it took about an hour and a half to stop bleeding.

I have been using a straight razor for about 3 weeks now, some days are great but usually end up leaking from somewhere under the jaw line or chin, usually when I am not taking my time and then decide to change tack while the razor is still on my skin,( I have two full length blade cuts to prove it . )
The one thing I have found since making the switch, is the straight razor is very unforgiving when you mess up.

how long do you guys think it takes to become proficient ?

I had been shaving with the straight on and off for years [YEARS!!! - in frustration]. I think I've came as close as need be several months ago. I no longer cut myself. I had two problems area for a while. The first was the mustache. Because I learned how to shave with the mustache, and now longer have one, I would often cut myself when shaving that area. My second problem area was the lower right cheek. Don't ask me why or how, right above where the jaw-bone runs, I would routinely (about once every other month or so) cut myself in the exact same spot. Now, I never cut myself. Also, being I'm on a high dose of coumadin (the result of heart bypass and hear valve replacement surgery six years ago) there is a little extra incentive to do this absolutely correct. DAF, my only suggestion to you is this (I've said this before): just pull your skin very tightly, either by physically pulling the skin or by contorting your face. That will create a surface of the skin so tight that the blade can't bite. And, in time, you will develop the "feel." That is, the ability to sense when you're about to cut yourself, and you back of in the nick [pun intended] of time.

Almost never, the times i cut my self is when i on a hurry.So i dont hurry anymore, no time no shave.

Did it yesterday. I was in hurry and did cut myself. Hope there will be no scar.

I'm up to 40+ shaves now. first 5 times every time. since then 2 or 3 times that barley bleed. not to shabby

Everything we do cuts when shaving, someone strong, someone weak and myself included. Now the truth is very rare.