In which Endcycle learns a valuable lesson.

**endcycle** · 06-13-2008, 04:19 PM

(alternate title: Overconfidence results in a bloodbath)

Elements of the story:
1: Endcycle
2: Sandalwood Art of Shaving cream
3: Hot towel prep
4: (1) Gem Micromatic (open comb) with Ted Pella blade

I've never used the micromatic before, but I got the pella blades so I was psyched to give it a shot.

(missed warning sign - my daughter asked me if I planned to slice off all or just some of my face with the Gem)

I lathered up after my normal prep, and went at it slowly and with the correct angle, no pressure at all. First pass was tough - the head of the razor drags against the skin a bit, so it was slow going. I was a bit sore after pass 1 - checking the beard, I found minimal reduction. "What the heck", I thought, "let's try ATG".

Fast forward 5 minutes.

My girlfriend comes into the bathroom and her jaw drops. I'm a bloody disaster. I mean, I've never cut myself like this - the worst I've ever had was a few weepers, a nick or 2, whatever. I'm bleeding from at least 10 different places - all nicks. No slices, thankfully, but OW.

I threw on some gentle AS and used a styptic, but man. I'm a mess.

I put the gem into a box and hid it way back in my cabinet. I'm not touching it again for a long time.

ow.

**htownmmm** · 06-13-2008, 04:34 PM

So are you saying one should not go ATG with a GEM?

(thankfully no pictures were included!)

marty

**L. Martino** · 06-13-2008, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by htownmmm

So are you saying one should not go ATG with a GEM?

(thankfully no pictures were included!)

marty

Marty,
I believe he means that the Gem has been mastered, and it's on to a straight.
Yep, that's it.
Martin

**endcycle** · 06-13-2008, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by L. Martino

Marty,
I believe he means that the Gem has been mastered, and it's on to a straight.
Yep, that's it.
Martin

Absolutely. I would bet that would be fun. I plan on being very caffeinated and just GOING FOR IT.

**htownmmm** · 06-13-2008, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by L. Martino

Marty,
I believe he means that the Gem has been mastered, and it's on to a straight.
Yep, that's it.
Martin

marty

**netsurfr** · 06-13-2008, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by endcycle

Absolutely. I would bet that would be fun. I plan on being very caffeinated and just GOING FOR IT.

That's what I am talking about. Just go for it!!!

**endcycle** · 06-13-2008, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by netsurfr

That's what I am talking about. Just go for it!!!

well, my face doesn't hurt anymore. I am scared to go look at it in the mirror though.

**SilkySmooth** · 06-13-2008, 05:55 PM

You'll get the hang of it! Soon no more

!

==Tom

**soapbox** · 06-13-2008, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by endcycle

(alternate title: Overconfidence results in a bloodbath)
I put the gem into a box and hid it way back in my cabinet. I'm not touching it again for a long time.

ow.

Thanks for the warning. I'll be verrrry careful when my Ted Pellas arrive. I hope that there's some consolation that your bad experience may prevent others from taking untoward risks.

Hope you're doing better. Keep after your face with the Witch Hazel!

**endcycle** · 06-13-2008, 08:45 PM

thanks soapbox. i'm feeling a lot better now. i've been combatting the blood loss by drinking beers. :)

My face is much better now - thankfully. I was scared I really screwed myself up. I've never, EVER done that much damage to my face, even when I was learning how to shave.

Sticking with my superspeed for now, maybe I'll try the tech too. That's as crazy as I'm getting. :)

**Black Adder** · 06-13-2008, 09:45 PM

about the title of your thread... just curious... are you a fan of the Wondermark comic strip, by chance?

Don

**endcycle** · 06-13-2008, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by Black Adder

about the title of your thread... just curious... are you a fan of the Wondermark comic strip, by chance?

Don

Can't say I've ever heard of it. Could you link it?

**spinyeel** · 06-14-2008, 12:43 AM

Never used the Pella's,but I get great shaves with Blue Star blades in my Micromatic,Damaskeene and 1912 Junior.

The only problem I have is blade longevity.Two shaves and bin em! The Micromatic is scary at first but it's not the demon face carver that it's been made out to be.I'm still finding it hard to believe that anyone can punish their face to the extent that you have using a Gem of any kind.

**Black Adder** · 06-14-2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by endcycle

Can't say I've ever heard of it. Could you link it?

Sure. http://wondermark.com.

When you get there, click on archives. Check out the titles to all of his strips. They're always in the form of "In which 'somebody' does 'something'". I just thought it was a curious coincidence that your title would follow the same format.

Don

**rabidpotatochip** · 06-14-2008, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Black Adder

Sure. http://wondermark.com.

When you get there, click on archives. Check out the titles to all of his strips. They're always in the form of "In which 'somebody' does 'something'". I just thought it was a curious coincidence that your title would follow the same format.

Don

The current strip is hilarious.

I look forward to hearing more of Endcycle's escapades.

**endcycle** · 06-14-2008, 10:42 AM

OMG black adder thank you so much. I have a new favorite webcomic. :) added it to my RSS feed.

More exploits? I think my face needs a break. I gave it a nice, comfy proraso+derby-in-a-superspeed+prorasoAS just now, and I feel much better.