Thread: First real cut with a straight

I have been shaving with straights about a dozen times now, and haven't really nicked myself more than twice, once on the jawline and that stopped bleeding before I could even see exactly where the nick was, and once on a wart I have right next to my goatee.

Since I've mostly used my new German Hoppe 6/8 round point lately, I decided to bring out my only other straight, an old Wester Bros. Manganese Steel 5/8 spike point, again. I'm always wary about using this one since I always fear that the spike will cut me.

Most of the shave went fine, but when I started doing my third and final pass, I somehow managed to get the point of the blade inside my left ear and cut myself, about half a centimeter long cut. It didn't even bleed for a couple of seconds, but then the blood started running. Fortunately it wasn't a deep cut, and it stopped bleeding as soon as I put the styptic pencil on the cut. It just annoys me that I lost control over where the tip was.

I finished the shave without any more incidents. I don't know if I would have been able to cut myself like that with the round point, but I somehow doubt it.

/Nicholas

Originally Posted by minstrel

I finished the shave without any more incidents. I don't know if I would have been able to cut myself like that with the round point, but I somehow doubt it.

You'd be surprised. You can lose track of any tip style, and with the spike you at least know *exactly* where the sharp bit ends. With the round tip all you really know is it ends somewhere out along the rounded part and that's it. My worst cut came off a round tip.

Couple of weeks ago I cut myself with RP. I don't like round points because
a) they get in the way when I do XTG under my nose, and
b) it is difficult to judge exactly where the cutting surface ends.

I prefer a spike or a spanish point because at least I know exactly where the sharpnes ends.

I guess it's a case of "your mileage may vary". I don't shave around my mouth, as I have a moustache and a goatee, so I may not have the need for the precision of a spike point. I also feel that using a round point makes me worry less about the point catching and cutting my skin on the neck.

I was worried about the spike at one point as well but have yet to cut myself or even nick with the spike.

The only cuts I've had were fairly large fillets. One at the very top of my cheekbone and one right at the corner of my mouth.

The one near my mouth was deep enough to leave a scar about 1 inch long but since it's such a fine line you can't see it unless I point it out. right --->
It also took about 3 months to heal.

Don't worry, the spike is your friend.

I have cut myself with
a round point
a spike
a french point
a Spanish point

A wedge
A half hallow
a full hallow

The point doesn't matter it's the pointer..

Indeed, RichZ. The one and only reason I cut myself was that I didn't keep track of where the point of the blade was, so it was all my own fault. I don't blame the blade, or the geometry of the blade. It's just that I feel I may cut myself easier with a spike point than a round point. I may be wrong, of course, especially since this is the first time I've cut myself with a straight razor, and my first nervewracking straight razor shave was performed with the Wester Bros. spike point, and I managed to avoid even nicking myself with it then.

On the whole, straight razor shaving seems to give me less razor burn and less nicks and cuts than any other means of shaving I've tried so far, but I can't get BBS shaves with a straight yet, except on my cheeks.

Have faith you will get that BBS shave all over after a while. I must admit though there are still times that I get to work and say Oh I could have done better here or there.
I also want to add that I have cut my ears too something I never did with a moch3..

My worst cuts have come from spike points too -- so I'm in your camp of YMMV.