Why does it keep skipping?

[BakerAndBadger]

Ok gents, simple question. Over the last month or so I have managed to cut myself three times and each time in a similar place - middle of the cheek towards the jawline on a WTG stroke. Today was the most stingy, the razor seemed to skip then dig in before carrying on its merry way. So why did it skip? I'm sure I was pulling the skin tight, well I think I was. Ok maybe I wasn't pulling as tight as normal, so could that make it skip? Cheers for the input, each nick has left me with a nice line in the skin so I would like to eliminate them in future as the Freddie look isn't very becoming!

cheers,
paul

 

[Gamma]

Hard to say - blade angle and lather density might play into it.
Momentary lapse of concentration might also be another cause.

 

[KW Driver]

maybe too dry a lather?

maybe just too dull a blade? I've got a half hollow that would bounce on my neck until it was properly honed.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

I'll admit to have had a glass or two of wine before hand (it was an evening shave) and was giving my daughter her bath - she was playing barbie and I was at the sink.

 

[Rockminer]

+= You could try a little bit more water in your lather. Do you puff your cheeks with air? That might help.

 

[JLuger]

This tends to happen to me when my lather is too thick and too dry.

 

[Kentos]

It will also catch on last night's nicks too.

My guess is more skin stretching! And maybe try a heavier grind too.

 

[johnmrson]

I think that it is either a razor that isn't sharp enough or incorrect angle. You cut yourself a lot more with a blade that isn't truely shave ready.

 

[lowcountry_sc]

"the Freddie look isn't very becoming!"

I resent that.

Fred

 

[kjparker]

I think that it is either a razor that isn't sharp enough or incorrect angle. You cut yourself a lot more with a blade that isn't truely shave ready.

This.

Plus I also find that if my lather isnt up to snuff, it can also cause this. Not such an issue when using DE's, but straights will bite you!

 

[john shea]

My guess:
Lather too dry,
Skin not stretched,
Blade not sharp enough.

 

[ridnovir]

Lather is too dry

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Nobody has mentioned making sure your beard is softened, so either shower before shaving or give it the hot towel treatment for a good five minutes.

I agree too with what has been said. On occasion this happens to me and I stop everything and redo the lather - that is the culprit.

 

[jpcwon]

This same thing happened to me recently as well. It was almost as if I inadvertently "dug" into my skin without realizing it. I figured out that it was due to the fact that the razor I was using was finished using .5 Diamond pasted on a felt strop; my first attempt at shaving using this finishing method. I think I was so used to my coticule edges that I underestimated the "scary-sharp" factor that the diamond spray gives you. I'm guessing that your issue probably is NOT related to an unfamiliar method of finishing, but it's something to consider nonetheless.

 

[hedonist222]

I know exactly what you're talking about.

This tends to happen to me when my lather is too thick and too dry.

Same here. Plus try stretching the skin and starting out with a decent strength pass in that area.

 

[Boro62]

Lather is too dry

My lather making skills have not been up to par lately, its been too thick and dry causing the razor to skip, bit me once tonite also.

 

[deezyrocks]

I notice the same thing happens to me if I hit a dry patch of lather. I got a real nice line under my side burns from that myself right now.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Ok, the razor is sharp enough - I honed on a coticule and finished on welsh slate with an HHT4. It isn't the first shave with this razor and it didnt happen before so I think lather (applied by my daughter) prep (quick wash with hand soap) and insufficient stretching. Will leave it a few days to heal then go again. Cheers for the feedback fellas!

 

[jgkeegan]

+= You could try a little bit more water in your lather. Do you puff your cheeks with air? That might help.

I hate to admit this. I never thought of puffing.

Damn.

 

[lukam]

Same happened to me a few times, right cheek was ok but when I got to the left one the lather dried up a bit which caused the eazor to skip and dig. Now I pay more attention to it and it's fine.