Forcing the Straight Razor

Gentlemen,

Yesterday I forced the straight razor on my Hollywood face and the blade flashed its fangs at me.

Forcing the blade is a lot like forcing a sentence, a joke or a tired idea: it does not work.

I was heading north with my shave and somewhere in the upper lip neighborhood I felt a tug on the razor. Ordinarily I would lower the razor spine or change direction slightly to overcome the tug. This time, for some odd reason, I thought I could get away with forcing the blade and ended up paying the price with a small nick.

Since I rarely nick myself — not because I am a master of the straight razor, but, rather, because I am a pilgrim who uses extreme care and thought when shaving — I hurt my pride and had to reach for the styptic pencil.

Shaving with a straight razor is about nuance. Sometimes it takes a tiny shift in angle or a slight variation in direction to cut the rebellious stubble.

That and the patience of a saint help make for a good shave. Maybe the saint part is going a bit too far. Patience, then, in its clearest definition.

Forcing the straight razor goes counter to nuance and patience — and you cannot fool the blade.

Regards,

Obie

Every time i shave and i run into a tug etc.... the sentence "if it dont feel right dont do it" and i believe that has saved the skin many times....:)

Ouch and I feel your pain. Last week I forced the blade on my XTG pass left cheek under my sideburn with my non-dominant hand and paid the price. Good thing I had a stypic pencil to staunch the blood flow. And to add "salt" to the wound, I endured questions all day long at work. Midway through the day I decided to quote another member by saying I had the world's meanest cat.

I cut myself today too, was taking off some sideburn with a spike, came in at the wrong angle, didn't notice till it started bleeding. funny thing, you wouldn't think steel could cut steel. :D (I've also said before when I cut my finger,"did you see the sparks!? steel on steel baby).

Red