Problems with nicks

I have a brand new Dovo Bismarck 6/8 razor that I got from Ray. I sharpened it until it would cut a hair in the test that Randy recommends. It gives me wonderful shaves with two passes, but I do have one problem. I almost always get nicks when I shave. Most of them are on my neck. The majority of them don't need a styptic pencil and will usually go away with a cold water wash and a pass with an alum block, but is this normal? It doesn't seem to me like it should be happening all the time. I do have sensitive skin and used to always get cuts with a Mach III and sometimes even an electric shaver. Anybody got any advice? It will be greatly appreciated! :cry:

I'd say (and I'll be the first to tell you I have no clue!) that it's your technique. I know that after practicing for a bit, the nicks and scrapes seemed to have gone away for me at least. One thing I have to remember is that the straight is completely exposed and quite a bit keener than a "safety" razor therefore it's not necessary to "press" to get close to the skin. Again, it's all technique!

You might want to try paying attention as to where along the blade you are getting nicked. On the neck it seems that I have had issues with the point digging in occasionally. It's not as likely wiht a round point like you have, but I suppose it could happen. If that's what it is, then it's very easily remedied with a slight modificaton of your technique.

Stretch the skin! And use a good pre-shave oil. Given you have a sharp razor and good preparation, you should improve your shaves...

Nenad

Every time I nick myself with a straight I remember how many times I nicked myself with a disposable before I learned to do that effortlessly. I have 1 permanent shaving scar, from a Bic disposable.

X

A straight razor that is keen will require you to pay close attention to your technique and prep. It is one sharp piece of steel! It is not as forgiving as a duller blade. Be patient, it all comes together.

I agree with Randy. Give yourself some time. I am by no means the most experienced shaver here, but I have been getting pretty consistent shaves for about 6 months. The first four months were 1 good shaver per 5 disasters. There are so many mitigating factors in straight razor shaving that you kind of have to keep doing it for awhile before you get a real understanding of what causes what.

Then there is the "I think I got this thing licked" syndrome. This morning I was shaving along enjoying the smell of my Nomad shaving cream, and inwardly complimenting myself on how I have this shaving thing wired. Next thing you know, I cut the crap out of myself. A total rookie mistake!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think they will really help me. Looks like I need to work on my technique and stretch the skin more (which I'm sure I haven't been doing that well). I use Proraso pre-shave cream before every shave. Maybe when I run out, I'll try an oil. I'll report back after a while.

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Originally Posted by xman

Every time I nick myself with a straight I remember how many times I nicked myself with a disposable before I learned to do that effortlessly. I have 1 permanent shaving scar, from a Bic disposable.

X

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I must say while I had nicked myself with a mach3 it was never like what I have done to my poor face with a str8. And yet I still shave with one. Wow what does that say about me.:D

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Originally Posted by RichZ

I must say while I had nicked myself with a mach3 it was never like what I have done to my poor face with a str8. And yet I still shave with one. Wow what does that say about me.:D

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I've certainly bled more than when I started shaving with those disposables, but the little cuts are so clean they usually stop bleeding by themselves and have yet to leave any lasting marks, but I've never REALLY gotten myself with a straight *knock on wood*.

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I've never REALLY gotten myself with a straight *knock on wood*.

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xman,

It's been nice knowing ya!

RT

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Originally Posted by rtaylor61

xman,

It's been nice knowing ya!

RT

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Thanks for the vote of confidence. :p

X

Everytime I said I had this down, Well I have scars to prove I didn't :D

I've got a lot to learn about using a straight, but I consider myself very proficient with a DE. The past two shaves with a DE (I'm playing around with an adjustable) have caused more blood to flow than I thought possible with a straight. Razors are like motorcycles...give them the respect they deserve, or pay the price!

RT

My worst cut ever came from one of those Gillette disposables, the blue ones ("Good News", I think). I cut a hunk of my chin off and bled for a few hours. I find I cut myself no more often with a real razor than I did with my old DE, which was very infrequently.

I think that whenever you change the style of razor you're using, you're going to nick and cut yourself while you get used to it. I had to use a Bic once and cut my face to ribbons while still leaving quite a few wiskers on my face, though people who use Bics have no problems normally.

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Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I've got a lot to learn about using a straight, but I consider myself very proficient with a DE. The past two shaves with a DE (I'm playing around with an adjustable) have caused more blood to flow than I thought possible with a straight. Razors are like motorcycles...give them the respect they deserve, or pay the price!

RT

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Very true, I find overconfidence is a sure ticket to a styptic.:nono:

Well, I tried some of your tips tonight and got by with one nick and that's because I got careless and got the razor angle too steep. Big improvement! Thanks for the tips, everybody.

I agree it's technique. The neck is almost universally a difficult spot, not just because of tough angles and shapes, but the skin seems kind of loose and will be cut if you don't stretch it well.

One problem with the neck may be that you're trying to go against the grain on the first pass. Check your beard, and don't assume you're not. For most men, the grain is down on the cheecks and up on the neck. If you're one of them, when you shave down on your first pass you're actually going against the grain when the whiskers are the longest. Ouch!

I got this information from the barber's manual. In a one pass shave they say you should shave down on the cheecks and up on the neck, unless your grain goes down on the neck.

So, check the grain and try that first. It could be an easy fix.

And don't forget stretching. See if more of it on the neck helps, especially as you get lower.