Thread: howdy, so my blade finally bit me

Hi, I am Leyla. I am still really new with shaving with the blade. My first time was bad and my second time was worse. But it will get better.

My first time was interesting. I could not get a good hold on the scales or I could not tighten my skin. So my shave was not close nor did it look as though I had shaved.

The second time I just had to much lather from the shave cream. I was told that I was to shave down from my knees. Well I thought that I would get a "Closer" shave and shave up. Well I put the blade into my ankle skin. So it bit me.

I have watched my owom (one who obeys me) Single Wedge use a styptic. But it got used on me and it hurts!

Any suggestions on getting over this? I am told that I am using a 5/8th full hollow SCS Smoke and Beads and a body shop shave brush. Thayers Lavander A/S.

That's easy. Do what my wife does and have your owoy (one who obeys you) do the job for you. We actually enjoy doing this together because it's an intimate time for both of us, and though it's discouraged, the kids know they can interrupt us if necessary without any real inconvenience.

Just keep at it. You'll get there. Two suggestions though:

1. Lighten up on the pressure you use. Coming from a disposable cartridge razor you're likely to be carrying over the bad habit of using pressure in the shave. None is needed with the straight razor.

2. Don't let that razor rest still against your skin. Always keep it in motion. A slight sideways motion on a still razor is a cut. A slight sideways motion on a moving razor is a cutting angle.

X

I'm right there with you hon! If you have a look through the pages of posts on this board, you will eventually find photo's of my shave AKA Bloodbath! It didn't help that a few days later I also got bitten on the leg during a dog fight, my bad for trying to split them up, fortunately it was only a little one.

Like X said, use less pressure and watch your angle. I moved from disposables to straights and it is a learning curve. Usually I do a single ATG pass, starting at the ankle and working up to the knee. I find it much better to stretch the skin from underneath where you are shaving.

The knee is tricky and for months I would "tidy up" my knees with a disposable, but now I have no trouble with them. Practice makes perfect! With the knees I have found the best position is with my foot on the edge of the tub, knee bent (kinda leaning into that leg as if you are stretching your other leg out for an exercise warm up).

A few XTG passes, left to right and right to left soon sort the knees out. Don't shave anything you don't feel comfortable doing. It takes time to build up your technique and don't get discouraged if you get a few bites, wear your battle scars with pride.

Welcome Leyla, I am glad to see that you signed up here. It's a wonderful group that can give you lots of pointers.

It'll all come together for you! Keep practicing.

Welcome Leyla to SRP...

I find it easier shaving up direction from ankle to thigh first, then going down and cross. All the time reapplying heavy lather after each shave. Keep practicing you'll get there!

And what she did not tell you was that I am sitting in the living room trying to keep the kids calm when I hear this "I NEED HELP" come from the bathroom.

I shoot into the bathroom and find that my wife has put the blade 90 degrees into the top of her ankle.

I grabbed the styptic and said, this is gonna hurt and it did. It stopped though.

The next thing for the wife is bowl lathering.

That should be fun.

We all have our war stories to tell about when we first started. Just think of the advise she will be able to give others in the near future

Something you may want to consider to get the feel, especially after you have been nicked, is the following. Look in your kitchen drawer for a knife that you use to cut cheese. It should be very dull. Lather a convenient side of your leg, on your dominant hand side (right handed, lateral side of your right leg). You can use regular soap or if you have any of that canned stuff, this is a good time to use it. Lightly "shave" the area in either the up or down motion depending on which is most comfortable. This will give you the feel without the risk of cuts. Go slow. When you feel comfortable, change soap and try your straight razor on a very small area. The more comfortable you become, the larger area you can incorporate. Good luck.

Lewis