Thread: nicks and cuts - not wanting to jinx myself but...

I am somewhat confused by the frequency with which people cut or nick themselves. It seems that every newbie has horror stories about their first shaves that leave me a bit queasy. I drew blood on my first shave on the cross hand side by laying the blade down a little to heavy at the top of the stroke. Very minor and the alum stopped it right away. I have had about 60-70 shaves and got my second nick yesterday while touching up. I am wondering if I am some wierd exception, or if there are more people out there that have not had the bloody learning curve that I read about so often.

Like I said, I hope I don't want to jinx myself here. I have been hesitant to write about it, but now htat I have my second nick....

Larry

I believe that the newbie problems result from razors like the M3. With a razor like that you can almost not cut yourself if you tried. I know that the cuts that I have given myself are from moving too quickly, moving my face while shaving (yipes!), and not paying attention to the whole razor.

Tim

I would think that the newbie problems stem from over-confidence. One or two shaves with no nicks or cuts, and the attitude becomes "what's the big deal?". Then fate sets in and the blood letting begins.

Randy

Originally Posted by tgross144

I believe that the newbie problems result from razors like the M3. With a razor like that you can almost not cut yourself if you tried. I know that the cuts that I have given myself are from moving too quickly, moving my face while shaving (yipes!), and not paying attention to the whole razor.Tim

Oh, I am sure that is right. I have caught myself moving my face and doing things that make me cringe in retrospect. I really think we need to take our time and accept the whole experience. I always was very methodical when I would pre-flight airplanes when I flew. Checklists were a must. I think the same approach is appropriate for straights.

I am quite capable of giving myself a nick at any time. It usually has to do with a momentary lapse. It's part of shaving. I've been a DE shaver for over 40 years and I still get a nick occasionally with a DE.

If you watched Lynn's video you'll see he nicked himself. It's probably because he was distracted by taking the video. It's part of human nature to get distracted.

The few tiny zings I have given myself have mostly been a result of not being familiar with the new tool. Once or twice I thought "Oh, I should be a little further over there" just as I was laying the blade down and woops there it is. Always very small and they stopped bleeding almost immediately. I think learning to hone at the same time as learning to shave is helping me not get bad cuts. To establish the edge requires a VERY careful touch on the stone indeed. Consequently when I'm shaving I have desire to be extra gentle with the blade. It's the unsharp blade which makes me become more aggressive with the razor. Once I did get a very small bite from a nick in the blade I hadn't noticed, but I have no horror stories to tell and plan to keep it that way. Getting a good shave is rule number two for me. Not hurting myself is rule number one. It leads straight to rule two anyway.

X

One of the big rules is never take your eye off an open straight razor in your hand. Just behind that is never travel, even two steps, with an open straight razor. Close the razor slowly and carefully with both hands and your full attention.

I'll wager the most serious blood-letting amonst members was not above the shoulders, but to the hands or lower arms because of not paying attention or just doing something dumb. A too-loose blade in the scales is an invitation for stitches. An open razor drying on the counter is often forgotten and "bumped or brushed" into.

My face will beg to differ with you on that one....

However not paying attention is when I have cut myself the worst.

I'll wager the most serious blood-letting amonst members was not above the shoulders, but to the hands or lower arms because of not paying attention or just doing something dumb.

or their leg by absent mindedly wiping the razor dry on their towel

still haven't really nicked my face yet though. one or two tiny nicks but nothing serious yet!

**touch wood**

The only serious nicks I've given myself is when I am not paying attention to what I'm doing. I did it this morning, nothing serious but it helps to remind you that straight shaving is a serious business not to be taken lightly.

I've also noticed that the few times I've nicked myself it is with just a couple of razors. I've checked them and they are in fine shape but something about them maybe the geometry or the scale shape thats just different. For instance I have a Case spike point and I finally noticed the spike has an ever so slight flair outwards to it almost imperceptable to the eye but when shaving it makes a huge difference that spike can snag your face very easily.