Nicks & Cuts

Hi Guys,

I recently read some information where an individual claimed that he had cut himself and nicked himself as a result of using a razor that was not sharpened to his satisfaction. After honing and having the opportunity to shave with thousands of straight razors, this does not normally occur. Typically, when a razor is not sharp enough, it will pull and or pull and not cut or remove all the whisker in the shaving stroke. It is usually uncomfortable enough to stop using the razor and cause you to stop shaving. When a razor has been overhoned, it typically will glide over the beard and not remove any hair or a very minimal amount of whisker. If a razor is sharp, but has micro chipping, it removes hair, but still is a pretty uncomfortable shave. For the most part when a person is cutting or nicking themselves, it is usually user error or technical inexperience. The only time I nick or cut myself shaving is when I use a feather razor, which is very sharp, but unforgiving or when I am simply not paying attention.

Have fun.

Lynn

I agree Lynn,

If I hone a razor myself it pulls etc (I can't Hone)

When I get my razors back from Joe they shave beautifully (He CAN hone)

I only nick, cut myself when I'm not paying attention (operator error)

Dazza

I nick myself with a dull razor because I have to use pressure and more strokes to get the job done. Plus I'm pissed that I can't hone that well and don't concentrate :)

If I did the same with one of my shave ready razors I would have the same problem, just much worse :eek:

Cheers,
David.

I think the key here to this nick problem is that the razor is dull and rather than stop shaving and address the problem people naturally try and compensate by pressing harder on the razor against the skin and thats where the problem begins. For me if I get a new or recently bought used razor and I think its shave ready I use it on my chin which is the toughest area to shave. If its just glides around my chin and smoothly cuts the hairs its shave ready. If I have to really push it around its back to the hone.

I realize for many beginners its frustrating and you want to shave but you shouldn't ever shave with a razor thats not fully up to the task after all yopu wouldn't want to drive around in your car with half the cylinders working or two gears working would you?

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think the key here to this nick problem is that the razor is dull and rather than stop shaving and address the problem people naturally try and compensate by pressing harder on the razor against the skin and thats where the problem begins.

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I think this has been one of my own problems. Rather than do the right thing and change blades, I try to muscle through it and make the shave go the way I want it to, instead of accepting how it is actually going. Realising this is part of a renewal resolution to approach this with more care.

X

I got all but one of my scars because I simply did not know what "shave-ready" was and I had that shiny new Zeepk. I guess I deserve all 4 of them :gth That made me give up on straights for a while, but then I decided to toughen up, got my TEW, a honing lesson from X and I never looked back :D

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think the key here to this nick problem is that the razor is dull and rather than stop shaving and address the problem people naturally try and compensate by pressing harder on the razor against the skin and thats where the problem begins.

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Absolutely, I think this is particularly a problem when people are learning. They just don't know if it's the razor or their lack of skill - so they press on hoping it will get better, using more and more pressure and ending up with nicks and cuts.

I started with a shave ready blade, but rolled the edge on the strop. However I didn't know it at the time, and assumed all the pulling was just down to my poor technique. Even if I'd know i'd rolled it, I didn't have the tools or ability to correct the edge at the time.

But I agree with Lynn, if it's sharp and you're concentrating you shouldn't get nicked whatever the sharpness of the razor. If it's too dull a person in the kno would stop and switch to another razor, or take it to the hone.

Yeah the main reason that has been popping up all over about nicks is mainly Operator error, my big nicks have come from rushing the shave and not concentrating. Lynn i think you have tied up a few lose ends, this should stop Honemeisters from getting all the flack for rubbish shaves.

This have been some great points made here. Usually I would expect newer folks to maybe use more pressure or strokes or maybe keep at it when it's uncomfortable, but usually as people get more experience (just one nick.....hahahahaha) this practice stops. Pressure when shaving should always be minimal, even with full hollow 5/8ths. Less even on bigger and heavier razors.

Lynn

I'm still in my first month and I've given myself about 3 good cuts (one this morning!).

I think they've all been with the same razor - a 6/8 1/4 hollow Boker spike point - its the only razor that I've honed myself, but the issue is that its bigger and heavier than the 5/8 razors I do most of my shaving with and I'm just not as good with it as I am the 5/8s.

To answer the question, all of my good cuts have been due to poor technique/inattention on my part.

I'm hoping that the cuts will become fewer and further between so I don't earn the moniker "scarface"!.

As for treatment, I stop the bleeding with cold water and alum and then apply some liquid skin (a clear liquid "bandage" with antisceptic) to seal the cut and prevent it from opening. The liquid skin burns like an SOB, but it works great and seems to heal cuts up more quickly.

In addition to that dull blades, there are other possibilities. That one additional scar that I got was when I rushed the shave (fortunately it's very small and in an inconspicuous location). Then you can run over a zit or an imperfection (like in a shaving video I once saw :w), your soap can dry out and create a skip (d**n that C&E soap), you can get pushed or distracted by a housemate and if you're a newb, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to get used to spikes.

Amen to drying out. I am using the cheapest of foams at the moment -- it was .99 for the can and says "compare to Gilette Foamy!" on the can. I haven't even ever seen Gilette Foamy. It's definitely not my first choice, but until my order comes, it's my only choice, lol. I figured out today that my shave goes much, MUCH better if I only lather 1/3 of my face at a time, making sure it's really wet before I smear this crap on. After trying this technique, I was able to do 2 passes, one atg and escape with only 4-5 nicks on my chin...which isn't too bad for me, heh, my chin is my nemisis.

I'm hoping that when my soap/mug/brush kit comes in the mail I'll find out that it was the foam that was holding me back all along, but I suspect it's my naturally poor coordination...ah well, I make up for that with determination :)

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Originally Posted by adjustme69

This have been some great points made here. Usually I would expect newer folks to maybe use more pressure or strokes or maybe keep at it when it's uncomfortable, but usually as people get more experience (just one nick.....hahahahaha) this practice stops. Pressure when shaving should always be minimal, even with full hollow 5/8ths. Less even on bigger and heavier razors.

Lynn

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Complacency is a challenge for me. I'm to the point now where I'll be thinking about something else whan I'm shaving like how should I approach a certain subject with my wife or what makes the people I'm working with so pleasant, and I neglect to concentrate as much I as used to need to constantly. Sure 9 times out of 10 I still get a great shave but there's that one time when I'm not paying attention to a new detail and there's some razor rash after the shave or worse. I wonder how my attitude will continue to evolve over the coming months and years.

X