Thread: Ouch. Questions to avoid recurrence.

I have been using a straightrazor once or twice a week for a few months now.
Today I cut myself.
Occasionally I have barely nicked myself, but only once before--in my first week--have I cut myself.
It seemed like the razor caught on my skin in mid-stroke and, when caught, dug into my skin slightly--but enough to cut me.
I always stretch the skin, take short strokes, and keep the blade at around a 30 degree angle; so I was a bit nonplussed.

The first thing I did was curse.
The second thing I did was examine the edge on the razor.
I recently got this razor, and the edge looked OK.
So I did something that I typically do not do: the thumbnail test.
(I usually avoid it for the simple reason that I have been told it will dull the edge, even if seemingly imperceptibly.)
The edge ran smoothly on the nail until about midway, when there was a noticeable "bump."
After the "bump" the rest of the edge ran smoothly.
I did this three times, just to make sure, and it was the same result each time.
I believe this slight imperfection closely matches the point of the blade right smack in the middle of where I got cut.
I have not quite run into this before, so--

Questions:
Is it possible that a barely visible chip on the edge could cause the whole edge to catch in my skin, or am I mildly insane?
How do I correct this imperfection in the edge?
(If I can do this with a Norton 4k/8k, I would be happy to try; I just watched Lynn hone on his DVD, and this razor is not indespensable.)
How bad really is the thumbnail test for the razor's edge?
(If one or two strokes of the edge on the nail is useful and not detrimental, then I may do it before EVERY shave.)

Thanks, gents!

Welcome. congrats on your successes to this point. It just keeps getting better.

No need to be cutting your face while learning but I certainly did it.
Read GSSixgun posting about beginner tips for May.
Seriously consider having him or someone of his talent level hone your razor.

Thumbnails will degrade a razor edge but you probably found the culprit. If the "bump" is a chip it can be corrected on the hone. If you are shaving at 30 degrees it might just be a contributing factor to cutting yourself. The best angle to use is the lowest angle which will cleanly smoothly remove whiskers 30 degrees is steep enough to indicate the razor could use some sharpening attention.

Originally Posted by psychonate

Questions:
Is it possible that a barely visible chip on the edge could cause the whole edge to catch in my skin, or am I mildly insane?
How do I correct this imperfection in the edge?
(If I can do this with a Norton 4k/8k, I would be happy to try; I just watched Lynn hone on his DVD, and this razor is not indespensable.)
How bad really is the thumbnail test for the razor's edge?
(If one or two strokes of the edge on the nail is useful and not detrimental, then I may do it before EVERY shave.)

Thanks, gents!

Ok I've been using a straight for all of 4 months so here's my take on it.Yes a bump or chip will make the blade dig in,that's how I got my one and only cut.My old Imperial razor had 3 chips close together at the heel.I was able to use a Norton 4/8 and Lynn's modular paddle strop to get rid of the chips.Now that razor works great!But you never know till you try,if it does not work then send it in to be honed.

As for the thumb nail test.......A friend of mine lost some fingers on a table saw and I've been cut bad enough in my young years that this is something I won't do!The shave test is good enough for me.

The thumb nail test is mostly used to check the bevel is smooth, even and nick-free. It's done during the bevel-setting phase of honing, before the refining/sharpening on the higher-grit stones. The reason is that it will quickly dull the edge, which needs to be restored afterwards. You certainly don't want to use that test on a razor you're about to shave with, only on ones which you've already decided need honing.

A nick in the edge is an easy thing to blame for a cut. That may be correct, but I wouldn't assume it. I've shaved w/ multiple blades that had nicks, and several others who've done the same had no issues w/ cuts. Cuts happen. They happen more when overconfident, in a hurry, or with excess enthusiams. Avoid the cut for a few days until healed. As Lynn once posted - a dab of neosporin speeds healing.

If you chase the edge nick yourself, sincere best of luck. You'll proabably do fine. If you'd like a hand with it, pm me. You seem to be doing better than most new shavers, so I'd celebrate that, rather than focus on your first cuts. Keep it up!

A few month back, I also did the thumb nail test on both of my only shave ready razors at that time, and dull both edges. One blade I hone on my own (first time) and the other I send to Lynn.

I followed Glen (gsixgun) videos and watch all the other honing videos from the wiki here. After a week of frustration, I was able to get a smooth and sharp edge on the blade. When compare with the other done by Lynn, it wasn't as sharp but I felt it a little smoother. Both shave well. So, I say give it a try, if you don't succeed, send it out to get honed.

Good luck, Double O

It depends how big the chip is and where it is. A really tiny one may have no effect at all and as they get bigger can cause an uncomfortable shave. To cause a cut I think it would have to be a really big ding in the edge (relatively speaking).

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It depends how big the chip is and where it is. A really tiny one may have no effect at all and as they get bigger can cause an uncomfortable shave. To cause a cut I think it would have to be a really big ding in the edge (relatively speaking).

How would you define 'really big'? Personally I'd go for visible to the naked eye in bright sunlight though that may equal more of a nasty nick than a cut.