Fear the DE! Why?

[Quarterstick]

In the "hardest thing about safety razor shaving..." thread

the hardest part i think is getting past the nervousness of actually using a de.

clive

(for reference: http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=48027)

I also had that initial trepidation with switching. It seems pretty irrational in hindsight, but it seems to be pretty common.

To quote Leisureguy from his blog:
"Some have expressed a fear of the safety razor, and to those I point out that it’s called a safety razor for a reason..."

I am just curious, where does this fear come from?

[desertbadger]

The "safety razor" term originated from the fact the razor was safer to use than a STR8 razor, which the DE followed.
The modern cartridge blades in which the blades are partially hidden and "protected" you never have contact with the actual blade when you load it. On the contrary, loading the DE razor with the blade in your hand you get a good look at what you're about to embark on. Through clumsy loading or just pure curiosity as to how sharp the blade is, they’ll cut themselves. To some people, this may prove daunting and they break out with the hibbie jibbies.

Regards,
David

[SmallTank]

yea I was like that years ago..then I got like that when I held my 1st str8 razor..now I get like that holding a veggie peeler

ST

[franz]

Because cartridge razors don't contain actual blades.

[Squire]

Andy I suspect it's just fear of the unknown coupled with the fact you could actually hurt yourself.

[LookingGlass]

Andy I suspect it's just fear of the unknown coupled with the fact you could actually hurt yourself.

Gotta agree with Squire. BTW, the worst cut I have received in ~18 months was early on when I did not pay attention to removing the head on an EJ89...twisted the head with my thumb and forefinger. One nasty cut on my thumb; however, a good lesson learned the hard way. . Just have to treat these guys with respect. Lucklily, I have never had a bad cut on my face.

Take care,
Ed

[fallingwickets]

could be becks induced imagination, but to this day i'm a lot more careful with a de than i am with the fusion....in the back of my head there is always cut jugular spraying blood all over the place gory death no hottie cradling me in her arms movie playing 24/7

clive

[Squire]

Why no hottie?

[fallingwickets]

well no hottie is what makes it so scarey

clive

[paddy]

I am just curious, where does this fear come from?

the unknown. it's a basic human trait.

[ateace]

For me, the fear came from a few attempts to use a DE without actually knowing how to use it properly.

Pain, irritation and blood had me running back to whatever cart I was using at the time - after two or three days of healing, of course.

[Quarterstick]

For me, the fear came from a few attempts to use a DE without actually knowing how to use it properly.

Pain, irritation and blood had me running back to whatever cart I was using at the time - after two or three days of healing, of course.

That seems pretty normal to me. Hurt yourself and you are not likely to jump back in.

I on the other hand approached the process with an apprehension and no prior experience. Looking back, what many have posted makes sense. For some people that were not raised in the age of the safety razor, combine the unknown and a sharp blade that has to be handled

and they break out with the hibbie jibbies.

Clive's comments also sparked the notion in my brain that the concept of the double edged razor blade in the popular culture (such as in the movies) has taken on a negative connotation over the years. For instance, I can recall a number of scenes in horror films where razor blades have been used to sinister effect. I am sure this has only gotten worse with the advent of the super gore movies like the Saw franchise of films.

[alcx77]

Andy I suspect it's just fear of the unknown coupled with the fact you could actually hurt yourself.

Even more true when I contemplate my st8!

[Zot!]

Electric and cartridge razors are no brainers in use. The DE requires a bit of skill. When one starts trying to use de and realizes some skill is needed not to cut ones self, it is a little scarry.

[Odio Barbillas]

For me, the fear came from a few attempts to use a DE without actually knowing how to use it properly.

+1, and how!

My first DE shave was with a brand new Feather Popular and Feather blade. I had not yet seen any of Mantic's videos and had been thoroughly scared by the stuff I'd read before taking the plunge.

I was oh-so-careful and I had a great shave. No blood, no nuthin'. And only once did I consider going back to my Bic Sensitives. Got over that notion and I'll be using my arsenal till it's check-out time.

[brothers]

I'll let you in on a little secret. Even though I'd been using a DE razor and any kind of blade from the corner drug or grocery store for decades, when I got dialed in here and realized there are many more options, I stumbled onto the legendary Feather blade. There was all the talk about how sharp they were, and "oh, look out, be careful, that's a really sharp razor blade!" So I traded a guy some of my blades for some Feathers, and when the big day came, my hand was almost shaking with apprehension. I laughed then, because it's a razor blade for Pete's sake!! They cut whiskers just like most others, some as good, some better or worse, but how silly it was of me to be afraid of it.

[fallingwickets]

Great story Gary....it shows what enablers and fear-mongers we have here

clive

[Lord Ponsenberry Smyth]

If a DE razor can evoke that sort of reaction, then what about a chainsaw. - shaking hands are not an option !!!

[alcx77]

The st8 on the other hand

[brothers]

Same kind of trepidation, but unfortunately, the likilihood of at least a few cuts in the beginning are a virtual certainty with a SR. It's definitely an activity that is well worth shedding a bit of blood if that's what it takes to learn it.