Thread: First SR shave and first cut

Doardo,

Also get a tube of antibiotic cream or ointment at your local drugstore. It will help that cut heal faster; and you won't get any infection in the cut either.

Pleased to hear that your progressing as a straight razor shaver.

In addition to blade angle and stretching, it sounds like you're learning the contours of your face. Now you know that that scar on your face is an area to shave VERY carefully around.

BTW...If you can't find any Proraso pre-post-shave cream at your local apothecary, get some Noxzema cream in a jar. It will do a serviceable job preparing your beard for shaving.

Originally Posted by Dorado

I'm trying to find me some Proraso pre-shave oil or cream without ordering it, but I'm not having much luck. I've been playing around with the lather and I think I have it about right. My best guess is that I had too sharp of an angle so the razor dug in instead of gliding across. I've been watching the angle closely and I haven't cut myself since beyond any normal nicks, so I think I'm doing well with that.
Right now I'm just trying to get comfortable with what I'm doing before I move off of my sideburns and get my entire cheek and neck. I don't want to have several open cuts on my face, one at a time for me please. lol

Hi Dorado,
If you click on your name at the top right of the screen, and then click the 'About me' tab, you can edit your profile to show your location. This allows us to help out with where to buy things. I know I can get Proraso pre-shave cream at the local shopping centre, but that's no good to you if you live in Tibet :-)

If I were you, I'd hold off until you can get the new formula of Proraso. I'm sure I found somewhere online the other day, but I may be mistaken. The new formula dispenses with the possible 'nasties' like parabens. There's a new (I think) formula for the pre-post named 'green tea and oats' I think. It sounds quite nice. I do like the eucalyptus scent, but it smells a little like a chest rub used for the common cold ('Vicks'), and with Winter coming on I don't want to smell like that!

Low angle is what's needed, though as you get better you'll be amazed at how steep an angle you can use for some areas.
When I first started SR shaving I was really nervous, but now, it's really second nature, I don't even have to think about it very much (though I still need to concentrate fully) and I've been at it less than a year.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Hi Dorado,
If you click on your name at the top right of the screen, and then click the 'About me' tab, you can edit your profile to show your location. This allows us to help out with where to buy things. I know I can get Proraso pre-shave cream at the local shopping centre, but that's no good to you if you live in Tibet :-)

If I were you, I'd hold off until you can get the new formula of Proraso. I'm sure I found somewhere online the other day, but I may be mistaken. The new formula dispenses with the possible 'nasties' like parabens. There's a new (I think) formula for the pre-post named 'green tea and oats' I think. It sounds quite nice. I do like the eucalyptus scent, but it smells a little like a chest rub used for the common cold ('Vicks'), and with Winter coming on I don't want to smell like that!

Low angle is what's needed, though as you get better you'll be amazed at how steep an angle you can use for some areas.
When I first started SR shaving I was really nervous, but now, it's really second nature, I don't even have to think about it very much (though I still need to concentrate fully) and I've been at it less than a year.

Thanks for the help. I'll do that.

Dorado,

I bought some C.O.Bigelow (made by Proraso, even says on the tube) Shaving cream at Bath and Body works. That store seems to be pretty ubiquitous. I am still very new to straight razor shaving, and I am all too familiar with your story. It gets better though!! Every cut makes me want to take another pass so I can finish without any nicks. Be gentle and mind the angle and the toe point. I have a rounded point, and always seem to nick my earlobe with it when I am not paying attention, and never seem to feel a thing!

Originally Posted by jhenry

Doardo,
Also get a tube of antibiotic cream or ointment at your local drugstore. It will help that cut heal faster; and you won't get any infection in the cut either.

No, don't do this. Antibiotics are useful for treating infections. Because the face has an excellent blood supply, and your razor is a very clean surface, there is very, very little chance of getting an infection from a razor cut. Applying antibiotics does nothing to speed healing unless the cut is infected, but widespread (over)-use of antibiotics favours the growth of resistant bacteria, eventually creating resistant strains and making the antibiotic ineffective. (This has happened to an extent that there are now problem bacteria such as MRSA and multi-resistant TB.) See here for more info.

Summary: 'Preventive' use of antibiotics does nothing for the individual and harms the community.

Originally Posted by Biodoc100

Dorado,

I bought some C.O.Bigelow (made by Proraso, even says on the tube) Shaving cream at Bath and Body works. That store seems to be pretty ubiquitous. I am still very new to straight razor shaving, and I am all too familiar with your story. It gets better though!! Every cut makes me want to take another pass so I can finish without any nicks. Be gentle and mind the angle and the toe point. I have a rounded point, and always seem to nick my earlobe with it when I am not paying attention, and never seem to feel a thing!

I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

Matt69, I usually don't use antibiotic cream, unless the cut was from something that was dirty or suspicious of being so. I didn't for this because it wasn't needed.

Aftershave should take care of any nicks. A styptic pencil will do the same to prevent infections.

[QUOTE=Dorado;951985]I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

I am under the impression that the rounded points are a little more forgiving, whereas a spike point is less so.

[QUOTE=Biodoc100;952043]

Originally Posted by Dorado

I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

I am under the impression that the rounded points are a little more forgiving, whereas a spike point is less so.

Ah, so I'm starting with the hard equipment....Why is it that everytime I start something I always wind up with the hard things. lol

Spikes are cool, rounded toes are for pussies...