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After 3+ months of str8 usage, it is getting almost too easy at this point. What use to take 3 passes and touch-ups, now takes 2 passes with few touch-ups. Todays shave was totally without blood and took 2 passes. A little AS and I was out the door. Total time about 15 minutes. After all the decades of other blades, this is the only way to go! Don't quite understand all the fear people have? :banghead:
It's no doubt been pounded into our culture that straight shaving will end up in a result of the user cutting his own throat. How many movies portray the use of a straight as a weapon to dispatch their foes? Even my grandfather won't shave with his father's razor and gave it to me...he said that he never even tried it. Too afraid to cut his own throat. So the fear goes back at least four generations now. The latest generation, the Gen-X'ers, the Baby Boomers, the Greatest Generation, never shaved with a straight razor...and that's just a pity.Quote:
Originally Posted by woodturner
Keep up the good work!
We all laugh about it now, but what about that very first time you put that blade to your throat? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by woodturner
I don't know that I could put into words how nervous I was the first time I put a str8 razor to my own throat.
Brian
Fear is usually the result of lack of knowledge. We all were initially fearful of the str8 in our hands, but lots of reading on this site and others helped each of us learn that our fear was largely unsubstantiated. Fear has been perpetuated in our society to help sell products, Gillette and Schick have done a wonderful job! Hollywood has helped the myth stay alive. As str8 users we also need to be teachers to help spread facts. :soapbox:
Even an old barber I had, who had used a straight when he was young, warned me that I could cut my face to ribbons. Sure, I've gotten some cuts but I haven't been able to tie a bow with my face yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by red96ta
I was feeling super confident, really enjoying the straights, and then administered to my face a truly dramatic cut--a spike point Torrey had been waiting for days for my attention to lag just a tad, then it pounced, digging about a 1 inch gash into my cheek, matching one that I got on the other cheek a bout a month before.
For me, that's the end of spike-points until I have a much more refined skill! Spike points show no mercy!
So my suggestion to the OP--after congratulating him--is don't get ****y!
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Originally Posted by LawsonStone
Having already paid my bloody dues with a spike, I use a spike in my rotation to assure myself that I need to stay on top of my game. I agree, spikes have no mercy, so skill level must be up to the task. The nice thing about shaving is that there will always be whiskers tomorrow morning! We have many years to get good at this.
My fear of the sharp edge was overrated. The edge just needs to be respected. I am still amazed how my standard for a good shave soared and how much better I am with a straight razor. No looking back!
Pabster
Glad to hear this. I'm starting my second week and my best shave was 3 days ago. I seem to be moving backwards. I've gotten a bit discouraged and have the marks to prove my point, but comments like yours keep me in the game. Thanks.
Its justt like one of my friends was a butcher for over 20 years and still had all his fingers until he let his guard down,and now he has 9 1/2 fingers, you still have to RESPECT that blade every day!!!
Yeah, you definitely can't get lax: "familiarity breeds contempt." My 16-year old slipped and got a nasty gash on his finger last week. As I progress everyday in this, my "summer experiment" with a straight, the shaves just keep getting better, though I haven't quite progressed to two passes and touch-ups/no blood.
And yes, someday I'd like to try a spike.:mace:
This is completely normal. Your positive attitude shows that you are one step ahead in this game, as many guys would begin the process of giving up.Quote:
Originally Posted by DBurnette
I agree about respecting the blade.That's how I learned my technique and grip.Once I stopped trying to drag the blade like a regular cartridge shaver and let it feel it's way around my face,it got alot better. I also learned to respect my limits.Those spike points are slick looking,but a little too much squared edge for me thanks.Respect to those who can use'm though. Boy I remember my first time with a straight. I was red allover with a few Al Capones on my cheeks and lip ha ha. This is how we learn eh ha ha. Humility....it's what's fer dinner.:D
Can anyone enlighten me as to why a word in my post was treated as profanity? The term used is most certainly not. It means "overly self confident" and draws on the metaphor of a rooster strutting about the barnyard. No dictionary I know of identifies the contemporary use of the word as being profane. My PhD includes studies in linguistics, by the way, so I know a little about words and how they are used.
I'm happy to avoid the word, but I also am puzzled that a word I have heard in Sunday sermons is unfit for this forum ;-)
Then again, maybe I go to some earthy churches!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LawsonStone
It's a filter and does not recognize context. If it sees a string of letters that match a filtered word, it stars it out. No worries. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by LawsonStone
Many thanks. It's not my custom to use offensive language and I certainly do not want to offend anyone here! Given the longevity of the "Coochie Razor" thread, I also did not expect the standard of offense to be too school-marmly. I also feared that maybe this word really was offensive and that all my life I've been shocking the sensibilities of family, friends, teachers, colleagues, and students!Quote:
Originally Posted by commiecat
So...enough of this since it's off topic.
Gotta learn to be "smoother" in many ways!