Thread: Schmiss am gesicht

Well, I learned that I should not try to shave with a straight too soon after working out. My heart was still pumping rather hard, and as I held the blade with my left hand, going ATG on the right side of my face, I had an unintended movement of the blade up and down.

Now I have a little dueling scar, like some Berlin college fratboy circa 1900. It's not that bad, but I trust it will go down in time. It felt kind of like a paper cut. I've been treating it with vaseline intensive care lotion and some tea tree oil at night. Still feels kind of crusty, and I don't want to develop a dueling scar (ein schmiss am gesicht, and I'll take advice on what the right German term for that is). I'm managing to shave over it, still using the str8, but I have to be really delicate with it.

Anybody had this happen to them? Did it heal up nicely?

Mine didn't merit stitches or anything.

You'll be surprised, scars after a while on the face, just kinda blend in. I haven't cut myself in a while, but I remember what it was like. And the fear, I suppose, Is always there - at least to some degree. My only piece of advice, if you'll allow me, is to pull, pull, pull (did I mention PULL) the skin tightly. If you do that, either by stretching the jaw down, or by distorting your face so as to look silly, you will hardly ever cut yourself. I can't emphasize it enough.

I cut myself a couple of months ago. It was my first and so far only proper cut (not including little nicks) Its a few cm long but it definately has faded a lot. Funny I kinda of like it now so I am
hoping it stays as is.

I got my first big one yesterday afternoon so I know the feeling. I am guessing it will go away. I have been telling people that I got in a fight with a bear. If they say that the bear won I tell them, nah, you should look at the bear.

You must excuse me, I didn't realize you've been at this as long as you have. I'm sure you've had a few cuts in places that you would be hard pressed to even find again. I find that while I don't cut myself anymore, I do however nick myself "gently" while using different razors. Maybe I was thinking, I really should practice what I preach, that is, trying to narrow down the razors I use. Instead, I vacillate between 5/8 and 7/8; between sweeping smilers and square point; and the occasional round point in various sizes. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies!

I've actually found I've gotten rid of some pimples while shaving. They started bleeding when I cut over them with the blade, but it must be erosion. They've been pretty easy to handle with the styp pencil.

However, apart from this mishap and the pimples that are eroding, I didn't have any bleeding for the last week or so of shaving. Been doing it for not quite 2 months now. I do only 2 passes, not 3, one with the grain and one across. That seems to me to be enough. I have the feeling at that point that if I did a 3rd my skin would be irritated.

As is, the after shave splash is a bit like McCauley Culkin in Home Alone.

And the shaves are definitely the smoothest I've had, I don't know if they're BBS, but they're definitely closer than the double edge.

First of all congratulations for your German! No advice needet.

I have been shaving with a straight for about a year now, and my worst cut happened using a shavette. Now nearly one year has passed and you will hardly see any scar, it just vanishes as time passes. No exaggeration.

You might be using too much pressure if two passes is burning with aftershave. Since I learned to use less pressure I rarely have more than a slight tingle.

I have been using a straight razor for just a month now and during the first 2 weeks managed to cut myself several times in a similar manner. Having the confidence to move the blade with my non dominant, left hand in a smooth way has been the hardest part of my shaving. I still get the odd occasion where my hand hesitates and I just stop, take the blade away from my face and take a deep breath! I am getting more confident and haven't cut myself for the last few weeks, so feel as though I am getting the hang of this.
The cut should only last a few days and after that you can then boast of great shaves and look " no cuts!"

I don't know how much can be blamed on the non-dominant hand as it can be, at the end of the day, on the ability to "feel" the lightness in the touch and sensitivity in the technique. Because I will tell you this much, I can feel a slice coming and I simply back off and poof, no slice.