Thread: Avoiding Nicks and Cuts

There are a number of straight razor users with various difficult areas that have solved the problem by using either a DE or SE razor to shave those spots. There is nothing written in stone that says you can't use what works best for you. It's your face and your decisions. Shaving shouldn't be a purist's pursuit because of all the individual variations of faces.

I have a few spots of my own and occasionally I will revert to a DE, an SE or even a multi blade to deal with that area for a few days.

With a mild case of Rosacea I find that a straight razor irritates more so I pull out my rarity - an electric DE that gives a close approximation to a straight shave with out the irritation and use that for a few days.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I,m not sure what to say, even if I do a WTG pass I might feel whiskers rubbing ATG. But I sure don't see them,, my razors take it off skin level, So not sure what your doing, what kind of blade are you using in your shavette, this could be the issue also,, some aren't worth the paper they wrap them in,, but to be honest this isn't for everyone, Tc

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

There are a number of straight razor users with various difficult areas that have solved the problem by using either a DE or SE razor to shave those spots. There is nothing written in stone that says you can't use what works best for you. It's your face and your decisions. Shaving shouldn't be a purist's pursuit because of all the individual variations of faces.

I have a few spots of my own and occasionally I will revert to a DE, an SE or even a multi blade to deal with that area for a few days.

With a mild case of Rosacea I find that a straight razor irritates more so I pull out my rarity - an electric DE that gives a close approximation to a straight shave with out the irritation and use that for a few days.

tcrideshd - Astra platinums

Razorfeld - could be a potential, i'm going to by a merkur or something similar for when im in a hurry or need to travel so can always give that a go,

I spoke with a friend last night about this (he's a barber and uses straight razors on customers/himself) and explained that everytime i tried to go ATG horizontally on the neck i cut myself up and he simply said "never go against the grain on the neck",......."Out of every 100 shaves I do in my shop only a handful of them could be shaved like that, most of them I would cut up like you have yourself",..........he wasnt able to explain why but it did hit home that im clearly in the majority of those who'se neck cant handle it for whatever reason,

He said he shaves his customers necks vertically a pass in each direction and if he has to go across the neck horizontally he goes WTG or at worse case scenario at an angle across it but still barely any ATG'ness

I'm going to go in for a shave with him soon so he can see my technique and discuss further the trials and tribulations of this problem area

thanks for all the responses guys, apologies if last nights rant seemed a bit silly, was just rather miffed and not being able to do something, a bit like the time i lost it with some flatpack furniture only to find out they sent the wrong instructions with it,...

For me its slow down and pay attention

I've always shaved before my shower. I'm going to have to try afterwards.

So my solution for the ATG on the neck was to buy an edwin jagger DE razor figuring it would be easier to handle around that contour

And i was right!!! Shaved across the neck ATG like a dream, no tugs no nicks

I did my whole neck with the DE but on the upwards pass goig XTG i nicked myself a fair bit, i think a combination of a new razor and feather blades are the likely culprit, just needs practice although generally ill use my shavette for that pass as i like using and ill just touch up across with the DE

Another thing i learnt is i got some free alum match things with the razor, tried em out....THEY ARE THE DEVIL jesus h christ they hurt!!!

Quickly rinsed and slapped some proraso on for some relief!!

Thanks to everyone for inputs/replies to my previous posts and apologies to admin who had to edit a post of mine when i dropped he f bomb, thank you for doing that

Shaving after shower and usually some kind of Oil helps the razor glide more better. But my 2 time shaving experience with SR made me learn that take your time, go slow and let the good times roll.

I try and sometimes succeed in slowing down and not rushing as well don't let the soap or cream dry out!

Hey that has happened to me now a few times. Glad to see it is a likely occurrence with a strait razor. And now I am very aware of it

Originally Posted by Jacketch

For me, if the shave isn't going well (i.e. pulling, nicks, poor hair removal) I stop and re-evaluate. Sometimes it's the razor, sometimes the prep, sometimes the lather but for me, most often, it's a lack of attention. This is when I'm likely to nick myself. When My mind is totally on the task, I am most likely to have a nick free shave.

Some very good advice! As a beginner, I will find this most helpful!

A couple of things help me,as i am old with a lot of protruding flesh from gaps and not perfect teeth,also hollows under my cheek bones.The first is the laying of the blade as flat as possible on difficult spots and slow buff
with minute increments i use this technique on areas where nicking would be inevitable using any other method.The against the grain neck area i lay the blade virtualy flat tighten the skin using alum and use long strokes .
all other against the grain passes i lay the blade virtualy flat as the angle of the whiskers allows the blade to shave almost flat.Under the nose against the grain pass i hold the blade with both hands and buff with minute increments ,again the blade in this case almost more than flat,as the whiskers are so wire hard one hand wont do it,any angle on the blade results in razor bumps and discomfort.
Dont copy me find your own methods,your face will be almost certainly easier than mine,but i gat a BBS every morning without any discomfort,i think its just doing it,getting used to it over time.