let my guard down

**BEAR DEN** · 03-21-2009, 03:35 AM

Newbie and I've truely been enjoying all aspects of str8 razor shaving for several months. I enjoy the honing, stroping, lather of soap or cream, and different types of brushes. It almost came to an end tonight...was on my third pass when I let my gaurd down, after all I was getting the hang of it pretty good. I didn't put a nick or cut on my face, I sliced a gash. I started to head for the super glue and was convinced that wouldn't work and thought I would need stitches.
After alot of pressure and alot of liquid magic touch the bleeding stopped. It looked horrible..It's been about four hours ago and after cleaning it up more I have convinced myself to continue with this journey into str8 razor shaving...never take the good and easy shave for granted and never let your gaurd down is the lesson learned today.

**Kees** · 03-21-2009, 04:35 AM

It has happened to us all!

How many men with a scar on their face can say they incurred it while straight shaving?

**Seraphim** · 03-21-2009, 04:55 AM

My 1st ever straight shave went off without a hitch.

I got cocky on shave #2.......

Yup, a nice cut!

**DBLE ARROW BLADE** · 03-21-2009, 05:24 AM

I've been lucky so far . . . eveytime I start getting really comfortable, start letting my guard down a little, I see a post like this. I do try to make it a zen thing, totally in the moment, but that is very difficult the more comfortable I am getting. Just waiting for my 1st "battle scar"

**mparker762** · 03-21-2009, 05:27 AM

Tell people it's a duelling scar...

And be more careful next time. I've never cut myself very badly, but I did have a minor scratch get infected one time and left me with a minor scar. That was enough to keep me focused, and I haven't had any nicks or scratches since then. Fortunately the scar is gradually going away - I think the daily scraping eventually eliminates the scars as the skin constantly regrows.

**MoreSaltThanPepper** · 03-21-2009, 07:40 PM

Heh, sneezed once while trimming around my ears before morning parade.

Sgt Williamson called me "droopy" long after it had healed.

**BEAR DEN** · 03-21-2009, 11:25 PM

Looks a little better today, live and learn.

**Sullybob** · 03-22-2009, 07:45 AM

I've had a few close calls but no gashes yet....

I have managed to cut myself once or twice or thrice. Nothing series though.

I figure it's kind of like what they say about motorcycle riders. There's two kinds of motorcycle riders, those who will wreck and those who will never wreck again(meaning that they either quit riding or well, worse)

**yboivin** · 03-22-2009, 09:08 AM

I have a little scar from an event like this but not something like you mentionned. Had I been "brighter" I would have used the super glue though... I'll keep this in mind !

Thanks !

**leicaron** · 03-22-2009, 12:07 PM

Happened to me with my DE. I'd been shaving for 3 months with it, without a single hitch. Then, whoosh, sideways slice, ouch !!

New motorcycle riders are warned of this phenomenon, once you stop concentrating and being careful, you'll put the bike down. Happens between the first 6 and 9 months ...

VR6ofpain · 03-22-2009, 10:35 PM

Just ordered a straight (Henckels Friodur, 6/8"). Hopefully my first shave goes off without any slicing of the flesh!

**crankymoose** · 03-23-2009, 02:47 AM

be sure to put some antibiotic ointment on it, something like bacitracin and keep it as covered with it as possible and that will promote healing and less chance of it leaving a scar at all........... I know

**Sullybob** · 03-23-2009, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain

Just ordered a straight (Henckels Friodur, 6/8"). Hopefully my first shave goes off without any slicing of the flesh!

Slicing isn't bad, its the nicks and small cuts. And gashes pretty much suck!

Read the tutorials and watch the videos, Mantics and Jockey's. They will help you a bunch.

**Lucius** · 03-23-2009, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by Kees

It has happened to us all!

Yep. And I've actually gotten to the point where I don't get overly comfortable even after doing it for a year now. I've cut myself enough times that I can more or less focus without consciously trying to.

After a few cuts you kind of learn where your "danger" zones are and where you really need to slow down and be extra careful.

**Leon** · 03-23-2009, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Kees

How many men with a scar on their face can say they incurred it while straight shaving?

I certainly can. A few months ago I've nicked myself and the scar is more deep than I thought, otherwise, it should have already disappeared.
Well, I guess that's manly, no?

Bear Den: Careful, always, OK? You'll be fine. I find a straight razor shaving much like caring for wild animals, they can be smooth and sweet, but if you p*ss them off, they'll byte you and scratch you.