Thread: Cuts not nicks

Good afternoon,
So I have been using straight razors for about 8 weeks now, have had lots of little nicks, no big deal, recently I cut my chin really deep ala Kirk Douglas and the other day, caught my face and have a line nearly 2 inches long, I didn't push through anything, nor did I use the razor in a slicing motion, I did however just begin using chromium oxide paste on my cotton strop, is there such a thing as too sharp? These are definitely leaving scars.

i do not think that you can get the blade to sharp. i would suggest slowing down and make sure you stretch the skin and watch the angle of the blade. i too had a few bad cuts when i first started. but i learned to slow down and think about what is was doing and if i nick myself now it is because i am not paying attention..hope this helps..good luck

I found I nicked myself more when I first started using a properly sharpened blade. I was used to shaving with a dull razor in comparison and needed to use pressure to cut my whiskers. Once I eased up on the sharp razor, the cuts/nicks went away. It's really more like no pressure, a light hand.

It sounds to me like you just got caught with the wrong angle and the sharper edge dug in a little quicker than you're used to.

From what I've gathered from some of the more experienced shavers, is that people do end up with individual preferences as to how their blades are honed, if they shave long enough. So for some individuals a blade could be too sharp or too rough. But for us newbies, we need a lot more shaves before we can judge whether or not we prefer a particular hone on a razor.

If I were you, I'd just practice using your new sharper edge until you begin feeling comfortable with it.

usually you nick yourself more with a duller blade.

As I recall when I started with a straight I would nick and cut myself when I thought I was doing everything right. Once I started really looking at what I was doing I noticed my hand was doing movements I didn't want it to do and that was the problem. You really need to concentrate when you use a straight and even now the few times I nick myself its always when I am not paying attention or am distracted.

Too many mind.Mind your razor.Mind your surroundings. mind your lather.Mind your strop. Mind your face.No mind

thebigspendur said exactly what my problem is, too. I cut myself when my mind is wandering and my hand keeps moving. All it takes is a wee bit of a misstep...

And remember, these razors are so sharp that if you STOP moving, they can start to sink into the skin. Or if you approach your skin at too sharp an angle, they dive right in like it's a swimming pool.

MWillsher...

I would like a clarification. Do you cut yourself during a shaving stroke, or when moving from one shaving location to another? When I cut myself, (happily, very rare after the first week), it is almost always when I'm done with a stroke or region and move to another area. When I move, I don't pay enough attention to the blade movement, and there you go!

The "cure" somewhat differs if you cut yourself during a stroke, or if you cut yourself while moving from one area.

Cutting yourself might be related to age and sagging skin. I know. The one time I cut myself badly, it was under my chin where a slight "jowl" is starting. (I actually wasn't aware of it. Every time I held my chin up, it stretched the flesh tight. When I got a little better, and shaved it "blind", the jowl was hanging slightly down and I sliced it.)

Stretching your skin is important no matter your age. If you have any sagging skin, it is doubly important to stretch the area you are shaving tight.

I appreciate all of your suggestions and will put them all to practice, to answer the last question, it is usually during the stroke that I get the slice, I think that it is that I am not stretching my skin enough, this last cut was a doozy and is definitely leaving a scar. But I am still using the straight razor, just more carefully now. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

If you haven't read my sig line below give it a once over and follow what it says. Works for me with few exceptions.

MWillsher, good for you for sticking to it! You're so much more macho than my neighbor who won't even let me practice on his beard. He's a pussy...