Thread: 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

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?

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.

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 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

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.

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.