Thread: Cut of the Day

Originally Posted by Machete

Wow.. all these are really seriously giving me 2nd, 3rd and 4th thoughts about going for a SE...

Might just start off with a DE and see how that goes

have no fear .. no one has posted a pic where they have bled to death yet ...

No pics I'm afraid but inattention got me this morning. Wrong blade angle and wrong stroke angle and the 13/16 Klas Tornblum straight took a decent sized gash out of my moustache area. It took about an hour to stop bleeding all together. I must have looked a right dill sitting on the train this morning with a big piece of tissue stuck under my nose.
First time in quite a while I've cut myself but even though I'd consider myself quite an experienced straight shaver, it still happens.

Are the Feather or Dovo 'Shavette' things any safer, regarding deep gashes? Obviously they will still cut but are they as bad when it comes to cutting off fingers or other precious parts?

I've already told friends and family I'm gonna start using a straight. So far none have actually laughed or called me stupid, just said how they wouldn't be brave enough, which is cool. I have to say though, I'd feel a complete banana if I end up scarring my face even once or twice. Some of you seem to have multiple scars..?

I already have one large (about 1") scar on my cheek, an actual knife-fighting incident (I won) plus a circular scar under my eye (I won that too, but he managed to bite my face!). That's all good and bad-ass... but I have images of people asking "And that one?" "Erm, shaving." "Oh?" "I use a straight razor". "A what?" "A straight razor." "Oh, one of those cut-throat blade things?" "Yes." "What about this scar?" "Shaving." This one?" "Also shaving." "And this one here..?" "Shaving." "Your nose... Shaving?" "Yep."

I'm no beauty contestant but damn... Pain and blood I don't mind so much but scars are somewhat permanent aren't they?

I also shave my head, figured doing so with a straight would be super bad-ass.. but not if I end up with loads of scars all over me head, that would just be bad, without the ass.

Mmm.

The Merker Futur looks nice?

OK, I'm feeling guilty now; I don't mean to put anyone off...

It strikes me that many of the nastier injuries are not from shaving but from careless handling of the blade, so there's that?

*looks hopeful*

Originally Posted by gooser

have no fear .. no one has posted a pic where they have bled to death yet ...

Maybe a controlled experiment could be done

Originally Posted by Machete

OK, I'm feeling guilty now; I don't mean to put anyone off...

It strikes me that many of the nastier injuries are not from shaving but from careless handling of the blade, so there's that?

*looks hopeful*

I've been meaning to respond to your posts, I just couldn't think of what exactly to say. I was hoping someone else would come along and find the magic things to say. But, here's my take. What you are seeing on this thread are accidents, things that are out of the norm. To decide against using a straight razor based on what You see here would be akin to watching a two hour compilation of automobile wrecks before thinking about buying a car and learning to drive. Probably not the best analogy, but I'm trying. Can you drive a car to the store and back and not get in a wreck, sure. Can you shave with a straight and not cut yourself, sure. I guess what I'm trying to say is, there were thousands of straight razor shaves today that went off without a hitch. Personally, to let fear of what MAY happen keep you from trying something that you would really enjoy is a shame.
Besides, as you have said, you've been cut in a knife fight, have had your face bitten. And you're worried about what damage you could receive by your own hand?? I say, put on your big boy pants and give it a shot. Take your time, you should do just fine. There is one thing that does dovetail driving a car. One should never drive drunk, and, the same goes for straight shaving!! LOL.

Well said donv!

99.9995% of the time if you actually nick yourself you dont continue to push the blade into your face any further after you feel something is going to go wrong, then the slight mark will disappear when you rinse your face with cool water when you are done.

I shave my face regularly and my head occasionally... and i have no permanent battlescars Dont let these exceptional cases put you off!

Cheers,

Aidan.

Originally Posted by Machete

Are the Feather or Dovo 'Shavette' things any safer, regarding deep gashes? Obviously they will still cut but are they as bad when it comes to cutting off fingers or other precious parts?

I've already told friends and family I'm gonna start using a straight. So far none have actually laughed or called me stupid, just said how they wouldn't be brave enough, which is cool. I have to say though, I'd feel a complete banana if I end up scarring my face even once or twice. Some of you seem to have multiple scars..?

I already have one large (about 1") scar on my cheek, an actual knife-fighting incident (I won) plus a circular scar under my eye (I won that too, but he managed to bite my face!). That's all good and bad-ass... but I have images of people asking "And that one?" "Erm, shaving." "Oh?" "I use a straight razor". "A what?" "A straight razor." "Oh, one of those cut-throat blade things?" "Yes." "What about this scar?" "Shaving." This one?" "Also shaving." "And this one here..?" "Shaving." "Your nose... Shaving?" "Yep."

I'm no beauty contestant but damn... Pain and blood I don't mind so much but scars are somewhat permanent aren't they?

I also shave my head, figured doing so with a straight would be super bad-ass.. but not if I end up with loads of scars all over me head, that would just be bad, without the ass.

Mmm.

The Merker Futur looks nice?

you cut yourself more often with a dull razor or shavvete/feather because tgere is less feedback than a proper shave ready straight.

sayin that ive cut myself once with my kamisori cjb (feather clone) razor

and none yet with my cjb franken razor with dovo scales on it

Thanks for the replies and encouragement

My current plan goes something like this - gonna buy a fairly cheap one, maybe a 'gold dollar' or something, grind the edge butter-knife blunt, then practise a bit.

My primary concern is things such as slicing off the end of my nose, slicing an eyeball, that kind of thing... If I can get through a few dozen practise shaves without any incidents I'll sharpen it back up enough to be scary, not enough to shave, just like a sharp knife, then repeat. If still good then I have my eye on the Boker bone-scaled King Cutter (Edelweiss or whatever it's called).

I can also use the cheapie to practise stropping and honing.

Does that sound like a sensible plan or would I be teaching myself bad habits?

Many moons ago I trained in martial arts using blunt knives with red dye on the edge, so..?

As a newb it is always good to be prudent,you will get cuts and weepers,but with the proper light touch nothing will leave a scar.
If you overthink the entire process and are afraid of the blade,things will be worse,just do it.