Thread: Stropping Mishap

This will perhaps be the most embarassing post I will ever make; however, I am amking it in hopes of helping someone learn from my mistakes to avoid the pain I suffered this afternoon. No , I did NOT trash a razor, only skin. A finger, the little or "pinky" on the left hand to be more precise. I'll attach the pictures after I finish typing.
This accident is a perfect example of what happens when one gets distracted, doesn't use proper equipment, or just hasn't established a good routine. I don't want to say it was any of these factors or more a combination of all 3. I can only make a S.W.A.G. as to the true cause of the accident. Regardless the cause, I had to have 8 sutures put in my finger to close the wound, and it wasn't even deep! The cut never got below the fat layer, thank the Lord!
On to the accident. I was using an eye loupe to inspect the edge of my razors after I had finished stropping them. I was holding the razor in my Right hand and the eye loupe was in my right eye. Can anyone tell I'm right-handed and/or right eye dominant? Got off track, sorry.
The loupe began to fall from my eye socket and out of instinct I reached with my Left hand to catch it. Instead of catching the eye loupe, I ran my pinky finger into the razor's edge!
To prevent this from happening again I can only think of a few immediate "fixes:"
1. Use Jeweler's magnifying glasses - the ones worn like like glasses.
2. Use a mini microscope.
3.But most important of all, CONCENTRATE, CONCENTRATE, CONCENTRATE.



Please excuse the lack of focus, I used my cell phone and I NEVER use the camera on my phone. I think they are clear enough for you to get the general idea.
Luckily It was just the pinky finger. It could have been much worse! Now that I look back, I could very easily have jammed the razor inot my eye or the palm of my hand. Live and learn, I have learned from this one and if even one person benefits from this post it was worth embarrassing myself.
Semper Gumby
Always Flexible!

Will a styptic pencil work on that??

I tried that and crazy glue before going to the emergency room.

Ten years from now when you can strop & shave in your sleep you'll have a little laugh every time you see the scar

Happy healing.

I wish I could say I have never done something similar

I find the longer I appreciate really sharp things and the deeper my understanding of them becomes, the less familiar the people at the ER are with me (10 years ago, we were on a first bane basis).

I have no intentions of becoming that familiar with the emergency room personnel Before my next stropping session I will invest in a headmounted magnifying glass or microscope.
As far as laughing at myself goes, it is already funny. the stiching job is a little jagged so the scar should look fairly interesting!

Nice! I have a good one on my ankle from being run over by a riding lawn mower with the blade engaged. It still gives me a little trouble, but I figure I'm better off with a scar & sore ankle than a stub, which is what should have happened!

Yeah, I did not plan on knowing them well either. Three boys and a dad all obsessed with sharp things...well, learning happens

Let's hope neither of us ever needs stitches again

FWIW I hold the blade in the left hand, the lens in the right and bring them together at arms length until my wrists meet, then carefully rotate the lens over to the blade and only then bring my eye down to the lens. Also I use a 3 inch lens that allows for a large field and I do not have to get my nose up against the blade to see through it

Yow, man that is a fairly epic razor cut! When my sister worked in picture framing, she was taught that if a piece of glass starts to go, just step out of its way and let it go. For me, an open razor trumps everything. Someone watching would think I was doing T'ai Chi, the way my hands travel through the careful space between my shoulders, the sink, and the mirror. Nope, just not-hurting myself.

That really deserves a post at the Cut of the Day thread, along with a pic of your stitches. Thanks for sharing!

And best wishes for good healing.

Since you've already noted your Right dominance I guess it's just as well you didn't try to catch the loupe with your right hand. I don't think the eye would sew up as easily as the finger.