Help kai razors for self-harm?

[desiderium]

I've seen so many posts (especially on shtwt) glazing kai razors for working excellently when it comes to harming yourself.

I'm not new to the self-harm cycle; I actually quite enjoy it. However, I've never used a kai razor before. I stick to my regular ol' stainless steel double-edged razorblades, and I've been using those for years.

However.... I did cave and buy a singular pack of kai razors (with bandages/anti-septic of course). I really want to use them for a session, but I admit that a cowardly part of me is terrified of hitting beans with them. Everyone mentions how sharp the blades are and how little pressure you have to use in order for them to split you open like a grape. I love styros, but have no desire to hit beans (did it only once, and it was miserable). I have no method of stitching myself up, and as pretty as gaping wounds are, I really don't want to test out how well my immune-deficient body can heal them.

I want brutally honest advice from anyone who has used a kai razor- how hard do I have to push in order to not cut too deeply? Barely any pressure? No pressure at all? I know it sounds stupid asking for 'safety advice' on cutting, but I couldn't help but ask. I don't want to dig into beans on accident, especially since razorblades require way more pressure to slice n' dice from the sound of it. If I press as hard as I'm used to with a kai, I'm aware that I can butcher myself way more than I'm prepared to deal with.

 

[current93]

first time i used a kai razor to cut myself i cut to the fat layer in one swipe

 

[desiderium]

first time i used a kai razor to cut myself i cut to the fat layer in one swipe

Yikes, this is sort of what I've seen in the majority of posts. Did you use any pressure, if you don't mind me asking? I'm hoping if I use one and use no pressure, I won't swipe to beans in one go.

I hope you patched yourself up and healed okay!!!

 

[sadbh—itstimetogo🤎]

first time i used a kai razor to cut myself i cut to the fat layer in one swipe

I used to cut myself, but this made me feel woozy lol. Does not sound like a beginner blade lmao

 

[worldsworst]

I use Kai razors a lot when I am cutting, the first couple swipes you get with them is when they are the sharpest, but I have never reached fat/beans or anything with them. They are pretty easy to control the depth you want so just don't go full force. The first time I used one I used basically no pressure because I was scared and I didn't even get styro so you should be fine as long as you don't use a lot of pressure. (Also they do dull a bit quick though, at least compared to the first few you get but they last a while if you don't cut too often.)

 

[cantthinkofusername]

first time i used a kai razor to cut myself i cut to the fat layer in one swipe

where can i buy them

 

[desiderium]

I use Kai razors a lot when I am cutting, the first couple swipes you get with them is when they are the sharpest, but I have never reached fat/beans or anything with them. They are pretty easy to control the depth you want so just don't go full force. The first time I used one I used basically no pressure because I was scared and I didn't even get styro so you should be fine as long as you don't use a lot of pressure. (Also they do dull a bit quick though, at least compared to the first few you get but they last a while if you don't cut too often.)

Thank you!! This is actually SUPER helpful. I figured that if I didn't press too hard I would (hopefully) not slice to beans. Styros are okay/safe for me to hit, so I should be alright!! Thank you so much for your honesty.

where can i buy them

You can get them on most basic retail sites. Just search up 'Kai eyebrow razor' on sites like Amazon/etc and you should find a pack for pretty cheap (I got a pack of 6 for like $6).

 

[current93]

Yikes, this is sort of what I've seen in the majority of posts. Did you use any pressure, if you don't mind me asking? I'm hoping if I use one and use no pressure, I won't swipe to beans in one go.

I hope you patched yourself up and healed okay!!!

Before that I had only used shitty razor blades and broken glass and was used to needing more force to cut my skin open and I used that same amount of pressure with the Kai razor and i was shocked. I didn't even mean to cut that deep and it definitely freaked me out. you have to be very careful with them…

 

[Rev346]

I always used a kitchen knife or a pocket knife that I attempted to sharpen. I had to apply a good deal of pressure but never got to the fat layer. It's truly amazing how dull most kitchen knives are.

 

[desiderium]

Before that I had only used shitty razor blades and broken glass and was used to needing more force to cut my skin open and I used that same amount of pressure with the Kai razor and i was shocked. I didn't even mean to cut that deep and it definitely freaked me out. you have to be very careful with them…

I'm so sorry that happened to you, that sounds so, so, scary. I made a similar mistake once when switching from a dull shitty blade to a sharp one, and that was the one time I nicked the beans layer. I appreciate your honesty and sharing your experience, and I hope you healed okay!! I'll try my best to careful with them, I might try them for the first time today <3

 

[Forveleth]

I always used a kitchen knife or a pocket knife that I attempted to sharpen. I had to apply a good deal of pressure but never got to the fat layer. It's truly amazing how dull most kitchen knives are.

Not to sidetrack the thread but this is so true. I got a more professional set of kitchen knives and thought they were shitty/cheap until I learned to sharpen them. Realized my dad had been yelling at me for my poor cutting technique because he had dull-ass knives.

 

[slugslushie]

I'd actually also like to know about this, I have never cut too hard since my blades are dull and it hurts. Im scared of feeling pain do whenever I cut deep its when I need to press the razor really hard into my skin and its annoying. Im fine with pain afterwards, just not while im doing it lol

I wanna know how much pressure people are applying and if its fine for someone who has never really gotten further than the epidermis? (im unsure how far I've gotten, its never been deep but deep enough to leave large and dark colored scars.)

I have no way of stitching myself and dont want to go deep, I just want more scars and want people around me to see how deep im going and take me seriously, I have pretty dark and big scars now but all they did was go white when I cut them and I dont think they went that deep?
(Im not reallt familiar with self harm spaces and dont know the terms or anything yet, sorry)

 

[worldsworst]

I'd actually also like to know about this, I have never cut too hard since my blades are dull and it hurts. Im scared of feeling pain do whenever I cut deep its when I need to press the razor really hard into my skin and its annoying. Im fine with pain afterwards, just not while im doing it lol

I wanna know how much pressure people are applying and if its fine for someone who has never really gotten further than the epidermis? (im unsure how far I've gotten, its never been deep but deep enough to leave large and dark colored scars.)

I have no way of stitching myself and dont want to go deep, I just want more scars and want people around me to see how deep im going and take me seriously, I have pretty dark and big scars now but all they did was go white when I cut them and I dont think they went that deep?
(Im not reallt familiar with self harm spaces and dont know the terms or anything yet, sorry)

I know you probably don't feel this way and I do understand but I promise you you are going plenty deep and the depth you go is serious. If other people don't comment on it they may just not want to bring up something you could view as a sensitive subject (I have seen people advising others who have seen scars to not mention it before)

The term for this is styro (when it goes white first (cause it looks like styrofoam)) any deeper than that will be your beans/fat layer and you will need stitches for that, I know people go without them for them but there is a very high risk for infection if you don't so I would recommend against not getting any for them. there are different depths for styro technically (shallow, normal, deep/baby beans (where you can see the start of the fat layer)) and imo the best way to control depth is not too much pressure and multiswiping but I understand why you would not want to do this if you are against it. I don't really have any advice on pressure sorry...

PS. Please try to take care of any and all cuts you get as well, even after they have scarred (lotion really helps prevent itchiness) I wish you well...

 

[desiderium]

I'd actually also like to know about this, I have never cut too hard since my blades are dull and it hurts. Im scared of feeling pain do whenever I cut deep its when I need to press the razor really hard into my skin and its annoying. Im fine with pain afterwards, just not while im doing it lol

I wanna know how much pressure people are applying and if its fine for someone who has never really gotten further than the epidermis? (im unsure how far I've gotten, its never been deep but deep enough to leave large and dark colored scars.)

I have no way of stitching myself and dont want to go deep, I just want more scars and want people around me to see how deep im going and take me seriously, I have pretty dark and big scars now but all they did was go white when I cut them and I dont think they went that deep?
(Im not reallt familiar with self harm spaces and dont know the terms or anything yet, sorry)

Man, we're essentially in the same boat! From what I've gathered (including from shtwt), it is very easy to use kai razors to get to beans. For context, 'beans' is the term used for the fat layer of your skin. Cutting to beans often leaves large, gaping wounds that do occasionally need stitches (which I why I personally try to avoid going that deep).

If you don't want to risk potentially needing stitches, the deepest I'd recommend going is styro (or dermis). This is the layer below the epidermis/your uppermost layer of skin. Styros can leave noticeable scars depending on the person, and tend to bleed a lot more than cat scratches/epidermis wounds.

For the future, I'd recommend getting new blades when yours get dull. Using dull blades can be super dangerous because of the pressure required to cut with them. They can also be a bit more painful from my personal experience, since sometimes dull blades sort of 'tear' rather than slice? If you really don't want to risk going deep, I would probably stay away from kai razors. Too much pressure and you're easily cutting to beans. I think if you use very little/no pressure you hit styro only, but I haven't tried it yet.

As always, do what is best for you. Everyone heals differently, and do what is safest for yourself (considering the topic lmao).