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  1. #11
    Robert Williams Custom Razors PapaBull's Avatar
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    To my knowledge there has never been a case of a person seriously injuring himself while shaving. Superficial cuts are no more common than with any other razor blade, either. The two most dangerous times are when you first start out and once you think you've "mastered" it and lose respect for your blade. When you first start out, you'll probably get a few nicks, but nothing to write home about. Irritation and red spots, probably due to a combination of poor technique and trying to use a blade you honed ineffectively yourself (practice makes perfect).

    Then you'll probably get to the stage where you're delighted with your uncanny prowess with your straight razor and start getting cavalier with it. Damn, I'm good, swish, swish.... flick, swish,flourish, OOOOHHHH DAMN that's gonna leave a mark. .

  2. #12
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    Razors aren't dangerous, the people using them are! Sorry, cliche attack. Seriously, using a razor isn't dangerous - you might nick yourself, but you probably won't slit your throat unless you have a badly timed and very accurate seziure.

    But a couple thoughts -

    1. be sure when you shave with a straight that no one can bang into you. My bathroom door opens into me when I'm shaving, and my kids and wife are very good at doing the banging without announcing themselves, so I alwasy open the door before I start - if I was doing my neck and they banged the door into my arm.....I don't wanna think about it.

    2. don't liet you hands get so wet that you don't have a good grip - some nasty stories from dropping razors on feet, or dropping razor and then catching it on reflex (oooowwwwwcccchhhhhh). If you drop it, get out of the way. Just let it go.

    3. wear pants when you shave - see 2. above about dropping razors......

  3. #13
    The Razor Whisperer Philadelph's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JMS View Post
    Use a little common sense and have extreme respect for the razor and you will be fine!
    do you cut yourself with a pocket knife while cleaning under your fingernails? Do you cut yourself with nail clippers or hair trimmers? how about while using a chefs knife to slice vegetables? I bet the answer is no or rarely, and that would be because you learned to use them right and have respect for what they can do if not used properly!
    Mark said it. Common sense. That's all it takes. Mike said it too when he suggested letting no one else talk you out of it. Make your own decisions in life! If you are the type of person who has always wanted to drag a sharp blade across your throat to see how much pressure it takes to get to the jugular veins, then I'd say your common sense should tell you whether or not to get a straight. Sometimes I'm sarcastic.

  4. #14
    Heat it and beat it Bruno's Avatar
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    I've shaved with a straight for several years, and used a shavette (straight with disposable blades) for many more. I've had several minor nicks that were no more than annoying. Nothing serious.
    But when I was younger I also used a mach 3, and I had a similar amount of nicks.

    If you use a straight responsibly, the danger factor is negligible. We have thousands of members shaving themselves daily, and none of them has accidentally beheaded himself yet afaik

    Only if you have medical conditions like haemophilia, or proncounced scarring on your face or a skin condition, or ... then you have to address those concerns individually.
    But don't let others discourage you from this activity, which can be very rewarding and beneficial to your face. Shaving is fun, and can become a hobby / treat instead of a chore.
    Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
    To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bruno View Post
    and none of them has accidentally beheaded himself yet afaik
    .
    but have we had any members suddenly stop posting for no reason.....?

  6. #16
    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    A straight razor is honestly about as dangerous as a kitchen knife. In foolish hands you can cut yourself, but you'll heal. Take your time and enjoy the shave and you shouldn't experience any problems. This is how people shaved for countless generations and it was good enough for them.

    X
    Last edited by xman; 01-04-2009 at 11:07 PM. Reason: GRAMMAR POLICE!!!

  7. #17
    Kurdilicious Rawaz's Avatar
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    Don't be afraid of the blade, but respect it! I have shaved since October and I have had only two cuts that have left a mark, however not permanent marks. But then you also manage to get a few nicks or cuts that aren't very serious. The thing is also when you do mess up it is always because you weren't paying attention and remember that getting a knick or cut really doesn't hurt very much..a paper cut is way more painful!

    Ps. I can strongly recomend straight shaving, you cant get a better shave and you cant feel more delighted after a shave. I used to hate shaving, I did anything to avoid it (my mother use to call me bin Ladin due to this)..but now I really cant wait till my beard grows back and I can shave again

  8. #18
    Steel crazy after all these years RayG's Avatar
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    I think most of the really bad cuts are from "accidents," from the razor slipping out of the hand and falling on some body part, or from being startled, or bumped by another person, and so on. If you isolate yourself in the bathroom, pay close attention and concentrate fully (not a good time for daydreaming) on what you are doing, you will likely cut yourself, like had been mentioned, but not dangerously so. I get more cuts from Gillettes.

  9. #19
    Qui tacet consentit bpave777's Avatar
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    I agree with everything else said here.

    For me, my only fear is dropping my razor. That fear is almost entirely about ruining a razor. A slight bit afraid that I will try and catch the razor on its way down, which I've already done once and got a bit of a scrape. I highly recommend not doing this. Finally, even less than slight fear that it will touch me on the way down.

  10. #20
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    Dangerous? Not really. I have managed to nick myself a few times, but then, I had the same type of accidents with other types of razors as well.

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