Thread: Spasms

OK, a new one happened to me shaving yesterday. I was halfway going XTG along face to chin (right to left) when I got a spasm. Nope, not a twitch. A full on, Tourettic, darts-throwing spasm. Before I knew it, my favourite (newly-honed Dovo Bismarck 6/8) flew out of my hand, arced in front of my face, hit me on the upper left bicep, bounced back towards the sink and landed on the porcelain surface with a clang.

So what would go through your mind in what order? For me:

[1] "SH*T! My razor!... oh gawd please don't be chipped or worse... let me see, let me see... wow! I don't believe it... not a scratch. What are the chances of that happe.."

[2] Mother of %$£"&, what have I done to my arm!?... OK, calm down, there's blood, but not so much. Dab it with some tissue... yep... 2 inch cut but not deep... get that Proraso gel on it... there, it's stopping now... I didn't even feel cut, just a bump. Sheesh that must be sharp... Lucky it didn't hit me anywhere el... [dawn of realisation]...

[3] My face! oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no, look in the mirror, quick... [serious relief]...

Not a scratch on the face. That has to be the worst roller coaster ride ever. From ravine to mountain top, over again, in a few seconds. It took hours for me to stop shaking! After I calmed down, two ideas went round in my head...

- Does this happen? How often? Have the guys on SRP had this I wonder...?
- I am one sick, twisted, straight shaving puppy... first thought was for the blade!

My first thought would be the blade as well.

I suggest yoga or tai chi or something similar to help relax and tone your muscular response.

X

Oh, my first thought would be the razor too -- assuming I hadn't sliced anything off, that is.

Well... I do occasionally zig when I should zag, but nothing so dramatic. I have noticed, though, that over the course of a shave, I can accumulate a fair amount of unnecessary tension in arm and shoulder muscles, if I'm not deliberately relaxing, and letting my fingers and the razor do the work. That is, if I'm engaging the whole arm, the way the late Julia Child advised when whipping up a batch of egg whites, then I'm using way too much muscle. Instead, I try to use the more delicate muscles of the hand to move the razor in short strokes, and let the edge do its job. That's my current approach, anyway...

So okay, no coffee for you until AFTER your shave!

Holy crap that is whacked. Glad you and the razor survived. Get yourself checked out brother and get yourself a bathroom runner and some wooden shoes.

Do you have a video of that?

Never shave commando.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Do you have a video of that?

You are one sick man!!

Originally Posted by Evan15342

Never shave commando.

Ya Know... I always remember this AFTER I shave...

Originally Posted by grunion

I have noticed, though, that over the course of a shave, I can accumulate a fair amount of unnecessary tension in arm and shoulder muscles, if I'm not deliberately relaxing, and letting my fingers and the razor do the work. That is, if I'm engaging the whole arm, the way the late Julia Child advised when whipping up a batch of egg whites, then I'm using way too much muscle. Instead, I try to use the more delicate muscles of the hand to move the razor in short strokes, and let the edge do its job. That's my current approach, anyway...

Yep, I think that must be it. I've not been aware of much muscle tension when shaving, but from now on I will! I had played a game of footie about 3 hours before so that might have something to do with it?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Do you have a video of that?