Advice from a new guy...to new guys
OK, so I have shaved almost daily with a straight for a bit over 6 months. In that time I have learned (to some extent) everything regarding getting a decent shave with a straight...Make no mistake, I am not saying that I know everything, rather just saying that I have learned many aspects (including restoration, repair, honing, stropping, maintaining, lathering/prep, holding the razor properly for all these tasks, shaving with it, and post shave care for both me and the razors). Not bragging, just trying to convey that I know a bit about this stuff...and here is why I want to make this concept clear.
Yesterday I pulled one of my favorite razors (an heirloom from my grandfather) that typically provides the best shaves with the least effort. It has a slight smile and this allows for very comfortable use around the neck/throat area (I am slim and have some deep depressions on my neck).
So with my credentials before you, I want to offer up that even after you learn how to do all this stuff, you can still have bad days....and it is probably best to put the razor down and seek alternate means for beard removal when you recognize one of these days.
Yesterday I started shaving and got through about 80% of my first pass without incident (I had a few weepers, but that is typical as this blade is WAY sharper than the one I use on a daily basis...these weepers generally heal with a cold splash and cause no incident). Anyway, I start with my non-dominant hand for the first 80% of the shave then switch to my dom. for the last 20% (the right cheek).
It was at this moment that I put the point into my ear and sliced deeply, then proceeded to pull back, take a breath, then go for the second stroke in the middle of my cheek (where I put the blade into my skin at the cheek bone and started bleeding from a second spot).
At this point, I SHOULD have stopped...but no, I pressed on.
Clearly, I was having a bad day that was in no way representative of the results I routinely get. I should have switched to another method, or simply stopped and waited til the next day to finish (it was a Sunday fer cryin out loud!).
So I continued to re-lather and shave inducing at least 2 other smaller nicks along the way before gaining enough sense to throw in the towel for the day.
So the advice in here is when you have a problem, take a break and contemplate heavily weather or not proceeding with the straight is the right thing to do. Perhaps doing so will result in better and more confident results tomorrow;)
