Medical Straight Razor?

**Arklatex** · 12-05-2011, 09:11 AM

I had hernia surgery several weeks back at an outpatient surgical center. When I preregistered the day before, the nurse put a glob of white goo on my forearm while I waited. The next morning when I signed-in for my surgery, the red spot it left earned me a pink wrist band and visit from the surgical technologist lady on my way to the OR who announced her intention to shave me south of the border.

I laid there with my eyes closed waiting for her to finish cleaning the area with a soapy sponge pad hoping to feel a surgical clipper and not shaving foam followed by a cheapest of the cheap disposable shaver being dragged across my private area. I looked down to see how far I was from the moment of truth only to see more half the hair already accumulated on a paper towel. She manuevered a straight style razor around the various twists and turns like a racer car driver at LeMans flipping between freehand and reverse holds as easily and quickly as shifting gears. I would have been amazed had I not been so terrified. The whole process couldn't have taken more than a couple minutes. No nicks, no scratches, and I hadn't been that bare since I was eight if even then.

The reason I share this (hopefully) once in a lifetime experience is to ask if anyone knows anything about the razor, where to get one, and if would be affordable for everyday use or cost a fortunate like other medical items? It looked like a hairshaper without the guide comb. I know it *didn't* use a regular shaper blade that isn't that sharp. I couldn't even *feel* an edge or the slighest pull. It was if she was just wiping off the hair.

**TheGRman** · 12-05-2011, 09:30 AM

Razors from DR Instruments, Taize, etc... are pretty much designed for use in the medical field, although they can be used in the barbering field as well. These razors generally take 1/2 of a double-edge razor blade, and are disposable blade 'shavette' style razors. There are even shavette style razors out in the medical field in which the entire straight razor (handle/scales and razor blade) is disposable.

**dieselfuel79** · 12-05-2011, 10:25 AM

You're lucky. When I had my hernia repaired in 2001, the guy used a pink disposable and nothing else. I should mention that I laughed like mad during the whole process.

**RichGem** · 12-05-2011, 10:37 AM

The Polish Wapi (wapensia or something) straights of the vintage ilk were designed for medical use. They came with stainless steel scales so that they whole thing can be autoclaved before use. They shave quite nicely, so I'm told. (I have one myself, but really haven't devoted the time or energy to really learning how to str8 shave).

**csmorris** · 12-05-2011, 10:53 AM

I've seen medical disposable open comb DEs but have no clue where to find them. You're lucky, my hernia surgery in '91 started with the male nurse popping into the room and cheerfully proclaiming "I'm your barber!" before getting to work with a Lady Remington electric razor.

**Arklatex** · 12-05-2011, 07:22 PM

]You're lucky. When I had my hernia repaired in 2001, the guy used a pink disposable and nothing else. I should mention that I laughed like mad during the whole process

That's what I meant by the "cheapest of the cheap". .I was very pleasantly surprised both with the razor and its user. .In all my years, I've never seen a sharper razor nor more adept user. .I don't know how much a medical technologist makes compared to a barber, but this woman's talents are wasted.

**Blix** · 12-05-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Arklatex

She manuevered a straight style razor around the various twists and turns like a racer car driver at LeMans flipping between freehand and reverse holds as easily and quickly as shifting gears.

Stick shift I presume?

**Kentos** · 12-05-2011, 07:42 PM

Just think how nicely it would shave your face!

**combatwombat** · 12-05-2011, 07:44 PM

Lol I would also like to find out what kind of razor it was

**Earcutter** · 12-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Great story - I say you go back to th hospital and seek her out!! I bet she would be flattered!

**Bigsurprise** · 12-06-2011, 12:05 AM

I'd love to see the edge of that blade under a microscope vs. a freshly stropped straight.

**Arklatex** · 12-06-2011, 01:25 AM

[I'd love to see the edge of that blade under a microscope vs. a freshly stropped straight.]

I can tell you one difference, the "teeth" of the edge of a regular straight will be on a bias (angle) whereas those of mass produced disposable blades are not. .Straights slice hair off like a saw, point leading, whereas other razors chop the hair straight-on like an ax. .Naturally, the former is inherently smoother and is able to severe the hair from side to side without pulling on it.

I did observe several differences between how she stroked the razor versus the barbers I have known. .First, the vertical angle of the blade to skin was much smaller. .Contrary to what I might have thought, the shave was VERY close even with just a single time over. .Second, the bias angle (lead of point over heel) was significantly greater. .Lastly, the lateral (side to side) movement of the razor as it advanced was really, as in scary, large. .I would have sworn skin would get sliced but it didn't. .The other thing I noticed was zero pressure of the blade on the skin. .I never felt the blade let alone an edge. .She also had what I would call a "flick" in her wrist which I've not seen a barber do.

I should also mention the soap although I have no idea what kind it was as there was no container visible, at least by the time I looked down and was already lathered. .It seemed very "soft" and "slick" (she pulled the skin with a towel) and was worked in using sponge pad rather than a brush.

I know she was a medical technologist. .I am wondering if the shaving technique is part of the training and, if so, is in a textbook someplace?.

**mblakele** · 12-06-2011, 10:18 AM

Here's one link to get you started: Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, Keir, Wise, et. al., Cengage 2007, p885: "Prepare Skin For Minor Surgery", http://books.google.com/books?id=UO9...page&q&f=false

There isn't much about technique, aside from specifying a 30-degree angle. Even the type of razor used isn't mentioned. I would imagine that good technique comes with long practice.

**dpmtherrien** · 12-06-2011, 01:36 PM

I've had two hernia's repaired over the years, and both times I was shaved with some sort of electric shaver. First time by a woman, second by a guy. The clippers did just fine, and I'm not so sure I'd want any kind of straight moving around down there with the boys.

**RichGem** · 12-06-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by dpmtherrien

I've had two hernia's repaired over the years, and both times I was shaved with some sort of electric shaver. First time by a woman, second by a guy. The clippers did just fine, and I'm not so sure I'd want any kind of straight moving around down there with the boys.

Wimp!

**Skold** · 12-06-2011, 05:04 PM

I would definately go back and find the woman who shaved you and ask her about it!

**ShavinBacon** · 12-06-2011, 07:10 PM

I had hernia surgery January of 1990 and I believe they knocked me out before shaving me. I do not recall someone shaving me and I'm pretty sure I would remember THAT! It was emergency surgery though so I was whisked away pretty quickly after they figured it out. I do remember waking up and looking down to see my, ahem, follicles missing and then dreading the itching that was about to come!!!

**csmorris** · 12-07-2011, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by ShavinBacon

I had hernia surgery January of 1990 and I believe they knocked me out before shaving me. I do not recall someone shaving me and I'm pretty sure I would remember THAT! It was emergency surgery though so I was whisked away pretty quickly after they figured it out. I do remember waking up and looking down to see my, ahem, follicles missing and then dreading the itching that was about to come!!!

As in a weeks worth of regrowth into an elastoplast bandage? Been there, NOT fun.