Thread: Ripped my face to shreds

I have been using Straights for the last few months, but I also have a DE for those days when I don't have time for the whole ritual. Today was one of those days. I put a new Feather DE in my vintage Gillette adjustable, set to 7 and went to it. Light pressure, skin stretched, nice and easy, yada, yada. I finish and and I can start to see blood in a few different areas of my face. Apparently the blade I used had some sort of defect and tore me to shreds. Glad I only had time for one pass.
Anyone else ever have this? Do I need to inpect each blade before I use them?

Hello, souschefdude:

Did you make sure the razor head was closed firmly enough so that the blade would not wiggle around? Because a loose shave head is an invitation for nicks.

Also, sometimes when the razor angle is off slightly, that, too, can result in cuts. That in addition to excessive pressure. Let's not forget proper beard preparation.

When using a double edge safety razor, you still cannot rush the process. Yes, you can shave faster with a safety razor than with a straight, but just how much faster is the question.

Finally, yes, your blade could be defective.

Regards,
Obie

Do you use the multiple pass gradual stubble removal technique described here ? IOW. not trying to get it bbs in one pass. Doing two or three passes with no pressure is usually more comfortable whether shaving with a DE or a straight.

The Feather, IME, can be a harsh blade although it is one of the sharpest. Many guys recount that the first use of a Feather can be irritating and that they improve on the second and third use. Some actually began "corking" the new blades before first use. I've not tried that, preferring to dull the blade with whiskers, though it may be a viable option.

Also beginning with a Fatboy set at 7 is a pretty aggressive setting. Might be fine for you but try going to 5 and see what happens. Some guys find that a less aggressive setting on the first pass is more forgiving. Increase to the higher setting for the follow up. If you have an eye loupe or a microscope give the edge a look. It may be defective but FWIW getting weepers when I used to shave with my go to DE, the Merkur Slant with a Feather was the norm more often than not.

I was rushed for time, but I was not rushing.
What I mean was I knew I would not get to do a full BBS shave, wasn't even going to try. Just didn't want to walk out the door with a 3 day growth, and was only going for one pass to knock off the ugly.
It wasn't weepers that I got, it was out and out scrapes. The blade was closed tightly, I believe, and I've used it at 7 before. I'm not sure what you mean that 7 is aggressive, on mine the blade is fully curved at 9, and almost flat at 1. Isn't flat the agrressive setting?
I was using very light pressure, nice and slow pace.
I have since looked at the blade under my loupe, it does look like one corner of the blade may not be 'rounded' properly. It would explain the lovely pattern on my face. (looks like a cat got me with a big swipe). The pattern follows the strokes I was using.

THanks for the inputs...

9 is the most harsh, 1 is gentle on the Gillette's, I use 3-4 usually.

It does sound like a blade or an un-centered blade issue

i use a gillette slim adjustable.. and get a very comfortable shave with it set on 3.. i set it higher if i have more than one day of growth.. with 3 days stubble.. i'd go with a 5 or 6...

either way.. it does sound like a defective blade..

and on a side note... if you're using your de for single pass shaves on days when you are pressed for time.. why not switch to a more forgiving blade.. perhaps a u.s. made personna

That's why I won't go back to DE's

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Anyone else ever have this? Do I need to inpect each blade before I use them?

You need to inspect this blade.
If you cannot see a problem then inspecting more
blades will not likely find anything.

My guess is that the blade is OK but you shorted
yourself on "latherin". For me if I short myself
on the face prep bit, the frame of a DE sticks
and then the blade gets a bite especially when
I dial my adjustable razor toward the larger numbers.

If I am in a hurry creams seem to work better
than hard pucks of soap. Hard pucks of soap
give me a better shave if I take the time
do do my "latherin".

As for the numbers I have tender skin and wire whiskers.
I go for a low number (2) to accommodate my skin and
select a very sharp blade for my whiskers.

I have yet to try corking... some harsh blades shave just fine
the second and third day. Corking might leave that first
harsh shave on the cork. I will try it some day.