Vent: That time a straight razor slipped and I had to stitch up my own thumb

I was in my shop off Belmont Avenue two weeks ago, doing a straight razor shave on a regular. Dude coughed mid-stroke and my hand jumped - blade went right across my thumb. Blood everywhere, had to wrap it and send him home, then drive myself to urgent care for 4 stitches. Cost me 80 bucks and lost 3 days of work. Anyone else have a tool fail on them in a way that was totally your own fault?

2 comments

2 Comments

evanpalmer1mo ago

Damn, that's rough. I used to think straight razors were just super manly and cool without really thinking about how risky they actually are. But after a buddy of mine sliced his finger open trying to strop a blade wrong, I totally changed my mind on them. One little cough or sneeze and you're in the ER, it's just not worth it for most people. Glad you're okay though, that thumb sounds gnarly.

troykim1mo ago

Honestly though, the whole "manly" thing around straight razors is just marketing BS - barbers use them every day without drama because they learned proper handling, not because they're tough.