Thread: Why do I cut myself in the same spot!?!?!

So I've been using a straight razor for about 3 weeks now and things are going great!

ONE problem... I cut myself, over and over, in the exact same spot on my jaw line, just prior to my chin on my right hand side.

To go against the grain i have to hold the blade vertical and move towards the chin and almost every day i nick myself in the same place!

Any ideas or tips? I try to slow down and check my blade angle every time i go over the damn spot and can't figure it out!

Relax your jaw muscles,your tensing (sp) up in anticipation of danger at that area.

You could have a small bump there that you can't really see. After a couple months of nicking it, it will be gone.

Is this something that is going to stop me from shaving for a few days to let heal or should i just keep at it and take it nice and slow?!?

Originally Posted by brooksie967

Is this something that is going to stop me from shaving for a few days to let heal or should i just keep at it and take it nice and slow?!?

Let it heal before shaving over it again. If you don't let it heal properly, you'll just make it worse. Put some Neosporin or petroleum jelly on it to keep the area moist while it heals. Lessens the chance of scarring.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm actually in the Royal Canadian Air Force and HAVE to shave EVERY day.

Luckily i'm on 2 weeks of summer vacation so I have the luxury to NOT shave for a few days!

If you are shaving toward the chin are you stretching your skin toward the ear while shaving? I find that sometimes the skin can bunch up a bit if you don't stretch it and can lead to a cut. Yea letting it heal first is a good idea. Totally OT, I had a few friends in VP404 back in the early 1970s when they flew the old Argus. Hope you are having as much fun as we had back then.

Bob

Thanks for the tip! I try my best to stretch my skin but might not be doing it properly or all the time.

I actually worked on the Argus restoration project here at 14Wing Greenwood!

I had the very same issue. Very same angle, just on the left side. I would shave at a slight angle down and more back at the same time, basically a guillotine stroke, and it works fine until you hit that jaw line. For some reason, right there it grabs and takes on a little bit of slice action and wham. Try shaving with a more straight unangled down stroke, with the grain, and it will cease. Shave that spot with a safety razor, gently, until it heals and basically avoid it with the straight for now. Good luck, hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Howard

I've had the same issues. It could be some peculiarity at that spot. My own personal opinion is as you shave most folks are just more naturally competent with the razor in some areas and less in others and more all thumbs in others. It could be you have the least facility in that area so you keep cutting yourself there.