Thread: Ouch!

Well like the ding dong that I am I bought a razor, got home and worked up a lather, shaved my whole face, and sliced the crap outta my cheek. If I wasn't so excited I would have read some forums and learned the right way to do it (felt like a little school girl, I was so excited). I bleed Like a stuck pig, but I will chill out and learn how to do it correctly. Like always I need to fail once and then learn from the masters. Anyway just wanted to share my first experience with everyone.

Ouch...well it gets better so you will probably hear this allot..Slow Down..
Remember this is something that takes like thirty to forty shaves just to let your face get used to it...let alone trying to master it.
Slow down..slow down slow down..
Good luck to you

Wow! Did you have a styptic pencil available? I have to ask, was the razor honed by a pro? I understand the excitement, so now it's time to learn about a well prepared face & a properly honed razor...

You know there is quite a large and very active Colorado membership base in fact some of the guys were talking about having a second Mini-Meet after Christmas besides the get Together we have during the summer in Denver every year..

Here are the last few years links to the meet ups maybe one of the guys is close and can help you get started on the right footing..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...h-madness.html

You are not alone . . . oink, oink, OUCH!! Read the Wiki, and go slow. Life is a journey, so is shaving with a straight.

Welcome to the forum and i am sure things will only get better! Good luck.

You are not at all alone. When I started I made exactly the same, I bought a Dovo, honed it and used it. Maybe the difference was my attention that resulted in only one small nick and took 30 minutes.
And maybe my experience at honing my woodworking tools.

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt! Hang in there. It gets better as you move along. I am also new to straights and but myself on my jaw when I first started with a 2" gash.

I've been straight shaving for 5 years + and my first shave or 2 were quite the "Freddy Kruger experience" too. There is definitely a learning curve but you'll get it.

My advice is grow a goatee and learn how to hold and move the razor on your cheeks and neck first and then move on to the chin and upper lip. Also use a pre-shave oil. It will help lubricate your skin so you'll get less nicks.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

Joff, I feel for you. My first 'str8' shave was w/ a hair trimming shavette. There is a really good reason I'm called Pinklather. So I guess I really did the same thing. It wasn't pretty.

'Don't know where in Colo. you are, but you might see how far you are from Roughkype. Some face to face time can be really helpful.

FWIW, on a nick or cut - DO NOT try to shave over it in any subsequent shaves until it has healed. Neosporine seems to help them heal faster.

A few have mentioned the blade needs to be professionally honed - or at least professional quality. This is big. 'Doesn't matter if you sharpen knives or woodworking tools well - its not the same. Those skills will help, but you need a very good edge to learn with. There are lots of guys that hone, with lists of them in the vendor section. If you get stuck, pm me.

Best of luck & welcome aboard.