Thread: And then the blood flowed like wine....

My first cut came after getting a razor back from a honemeister. Anyway, my theory is that I was using too much pressure, way too much pressure. I think you mentioned your razor was dulling so you might have started using a little more pressure to compensate for the dulling razor. Which is still sharp just not as sharp as you had once had it. My experience was I used a 'factory edge' razor and then got a pro hone it, giving it a wicked edge. I used the same pressure I was using before the razor was honed. Slice and diced my cheek up. Twice. I know it can happen again. Actually, it did happen again with a TI I got. This time I marked myself on my chin. I have been cut free for awhile now.

As far as expensive stuff, I have a beat up older razor that shaves just as fine as my 200 dollar razor. Maybe even better sometimes, now that I am thinking about it. I do not get the real expensive creams. However, I am satisfied with Mitchell's Wool Fat, Pre de Provence and some others that I have used in the past. You know I also get bad shaves with a DE every once and awhile. It happens. That is, I mean to say, shit happens. And we will cut ourselves. We are sliding sharp blades across our faces. Hopefully they will only be little cuts. Over time the cuts will heal and be a reminder, well at least to me, of the stupid things we are capable of. Stupid humans we are with silly monkey brains. Love and peace. Enjoy the shaves.

Once a razor tastes of blood it will aways thirst for more...

Vampira got me twice this morning i gotta remember to slow down..slower...slower...slowest

I hope it gets noticed how many responses quite humbly talk about their own nicks - meaning its part of the learning - and an ongoing reminder that the shave doesn't require anything fancy, but does demand we pay attention to basics.

The only things I might add are another aspect of angle - which particularly affects those of us north of 50 y.o.. Depressions, wrinkles - are often best navigated w/ the edge being kept at an angle to the depression or wrinkle - so the cutting edge crosses only a portion of the low spot at a time. Driving straight into the depression or wrinkle can be done, but require alot of attention and care so the edge doesn't keep driving down as the skin surface is rising on the far side of the depression.

Another thing not asked about is the hydration of your lather. If running water easily rinses off any lather - its fine. If a line of lather takes alot of rinsing or maybe a wipe w/ a facecloth, sponge, or you finger - its getting too dry and is a setup for nicks and cuts. In my experience - you can shave w/ Conk, but it gets dry fast. It is NOT sufficient to dip the tip of the brush and simply paint the water over the top of existing lather - that water is not against the skin. Rehydrating lather means using the brush to get more moisture at the skin level. Conk has not provided the best cushion or glide in my experience, but as I said - can be used successfully.

On using Neosporin - YES! The generic antibio ointments have same active ingredients, but the difference in inactive ingredients is big too. Neo uses a laundry list of great things for the skin.

For my own story, I seem to be ending about a 3-4 wk period where I was nicking myself all over the place. I wondered if it corresponded to the wather turning hot and its affect on my skin? (maybe) Have I had a case of the stupids? or impatience? (more likely). I get back to no pressure and the worst is a tiny weeper or two.

One member (Dwarvenchief?) had a signature line that was nice: "slow is smooth. smooth is fast". Something along the line of 'the less pressure, the less carnage' might be added to that mix.

Originally Posted by Johnus

Once a razor tastes of blood it will aways thirst for more...

Originally Posted by Bluerain

Vampira got me twice this morning i gotta remember to slow down..slower...slower...slowest

I agree with you guys above! I just did an ATG pass today and ooohhh my that lather was red!

Originally Posted by quicksilver

Do good shaves really only come from $350 razors and $85 shaving cream?????

Nope.

I use Van Der Hagen soap and ancient razors. Haven't had a scratch, nick, or weeper in a LONG time. I do hone my own razors.

A dull razor will make for an uncomfortable shave and will lead to nicks and cuts.

You mentioned a new razor. Was it honed by someone that knows what they are doing before you used it or does it have the "factory" edge? I don't know how good an edge comes on a new Boker. I would suspect that it can be improved upon.

The rest of the advice given above is sound. I think that most of your problem tight now is simply a learning curve issue. Have your razor honed by a pro and take your time. Before you know it you'll actually look forward to shaving with a straight.

Originally Posted by Johnus

Once a razor tastes of blood it will aways thirst for more...

Ive got a Wade&Butcher like that....I'm still convinced I can tame her.

If you're rushed at all, use a DE razor. I find the shave quality (with a sharp blade!) is close to, or equal to, a straight razor. Using a DE is _not_ a sign of failure !!!! <g>

You may cut yourself, but it won't be a deep cut. Let the sting of the styptic pencil remind you to use lighter pressure, and watch your angles!

Think about the razor's angle _at the cutting edge_. On the chin, with a downward stroke, the angle at the edge is _much_ steeper than the "average angle" from spine to edge. So it doesn't take much pressure for the edge to dig into the skin.

So (as previously suggested), use skin stretching to flatten out the curve. And no pressure, no pressure . . .

Charles

Thanks for the tips everyone! I think my problem is most likely a combination of overconfidence, too much pressure, and a dulling blade. It has been about four months since I bought my boker from SRP. I shave about three times a week (three passes in each shave) so I suspect a honing is in order. Now where did I put that free honing certificate.......

Thanks again fellow SRP peeps.