YIKES! my first real nick.

Discussion in 'Straight Razors' started by DBart., Jan 24, 2017.

  1. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    OK. Tell me I can do it. I am not afraid to go back. But I am a little gun shy. I have been wet shaving now for 2+ weeks DE only. Today I tried my first straight razor shave. A newly acquired vintage razor, professionally honed and in shave ready condition. I went through my ritual; shower, pre-shave oil, wonderful lather via a razorock, plissoft brush, and it happened. After stretching the face, on the 3rd down stroke... DAMN! MOTHER F.... ! The corner of the razor caught my cheek. Now, I know it was my fault. I ended that 3rd fateful pass not going straight down, but forward just a smidge. It is a small nick with not too much bleeding. However, it pinched, then hurt then bled then scared me! I finished off the shave with my trusty Vikings Blade Chieftain with no further incidents. I'll go back to trying the straight razor, but maybe in another week. Any tips?
     
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  2. swarden43

    swarden43 "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."©

    I approached str8 shaving with this attitude - if my forefathers could do, and that's all they had, I can do it.
    Nicks and cuts are gonna happen during the learning curve. Just gotta stick with it.
    Hang in there! You'll get it!! We're pullin' for ya!!!
     
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  3. SpeedyPC

    SpeedyPC Well-Known Member

    @DBart. Oooh ya poor baby did the boogie man get you while you're shaving.
    [​IMG]
     
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  4. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    Holy crap, that is funny! I think that is exactly how i jumped!
     
  5. SharptoothC

    SharptoothC I bite..........

    Measure twice, cut once. Watch your angle. Pay attention! Don't get overconfident and lose focus. That's usually when I unleash blood.

    Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2017
  6. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    I had the same experience a few times when I was starting out. It's been a long time since I've had more than a weeper. With practice it gets much better. Have fun!
     
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  7. SpeedyPC

    SpeedyPC Well-Known Member

    This will help you remember while using a straight while watching you're angle
    [​IMG]

    By Lynn Abrams
     
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  8. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    Now that is very helpful! Thank you.
     
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  9. Billyfergie

    Billyfergie The Scottish Ninja

    Och Aye the Noo..Nicks are All Part of the Journey..I Hate Getting a Nick as they Sting like Hell for the Rest of the Day & Ruin a Good Shave..:)

    Billy..:chores016:
     
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  10. RezDog

    RezDog Well-Known Member

    I just cut myself a couple of weeks ago while shaving with a straight. Yup it will leave a mark. I am not the least concerned about that. It was a reminder not to shave when very tired. It was my first cut in five years. It will heal. I will take the occasional cut over the crazy rash I used to get from other shaving methods.
     
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  11. HolyRollah

    HolyRollah BaconLord

    One trick I've learned to minimize potential gouges from the tip: keep your razor-holding hand close to your jaw/chin throughout the shave. Entirely different from DE shaving, by keeping your approach shallow, you lower the risk of catching the tip.

    Another tip: use a round-point razor when learning to SR shave. It will still slice you, but less likely than with a square-pointed razors.
     
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  12. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    I agree. But, nothing like a scary sharp square point to accelerate your learning curve. One or two "Gotchas" with that tip, and your focus will be laser like, from then on.
    Once you master Straight Razor Shaving, DE shaving is a no brainer. I now feel I could probably shave myself with my Gillette Fat Boy razor, while jumping on a trampoline. (No I'm not going to try it).
     
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  13. bscarpenter

    bscarpenter Well-Known Member

    I'm new to SR and had a nice nick (cut) a week ago Saturday. I was much more methodical in my approach the next time. Keep the angle shallow and watch out for any side to side motion. I do find not having to worry about a pointy tip takes a sharp variable out of the equation. Other than that, when I stop nicking myself I'll lend some more advice.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2017
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  14. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    I like both these comments. The angle advice helps. I think i went in too steep.
     
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  15. Spyder

    Spyder Well-Known Member

    Very good advice, which I didn't take seriously enough:)

    :signs011: Because I didn't heed the first bit of advice. Blood is a very good teacher :D I began with a spike tip and stayed with it for a solid 30 days, blood and all.
     
  16. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    What is a spike tip. That just sounds medieval.
     
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  17. HolyRollah

    HolyRollah BaconLord

    Square point with a keenly-sharp tip.
    Most square points are slightly muted or rounded off. The names are often used interchangeably, but when one refers to a 'spike point' it usually is referring to a non-muted square point.
     
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  18. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    Not until MAYhem anyway
     
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  19. DBart.

    DBart. Active Member

    thanks
     
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  20. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    MAYhem? Is that the month we purposefully do silly things that might hurt us?
     
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