Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Glendale, CA
    Posts
    23
    Thanked: 0

    Default First shave... FAIL!!

    My first shave was the worse shave i've ever gotten in my entire life, but im still not quitting.

    It was with a Japanese Tosuke that I received today from one of our members here.

    1. Took a hot shower.
    2. Made a nice thick lather with one of coleens soaps, and spread it across my face with a regular cheap-o brush.
    3. Hesitated for about 5 minutes, then finally went for it.

    The first stroke, i barley touched the blade to my face, and it took a few hairs off.
    I dont know why, but I was terrified of the blade cutting up my face, so I did not put any pressure on the blade AT ALL.
    I have Lynn Abrams DVD, and when he shaved in there, he said not to use pressure too.

    I went over the right side of my face, NOT against the grain. I did that for a few times, and it seemed that it was taking ONLY about 15% of what it should take.

    In the end, my face started burning like hell, but at the same time, i still had a lot of facial hair. I had to finish off with my mach3. And now, my face looks like 'doodoo' with a lot of bumps and all that normal regular stuff you get from disposable razors.

    I hope this is just a learning curve and i'll get over this. I've already invested so much money into this, and I really want it to work.


    **Im thinking that the stubble I had on my face was a little too much for the razor? You guys tell me, heres a pic.
    Last edited by Aram; 03-30-2008 at 05:50 AM.

  2. #2
    JMS
    JMS is offline
    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Ramona California
    Posts
    6,858
    Thanked: 792

    Default

    I hope you will be coming to our little get together tomorrow! If you are, bring your razors as I am sure someone can help considerably! Here is a link:http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=16123
    Last edited by JMS; 03-30-2008 at 06:13 AM.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    711
    Thanked: 22

    Default

    First question that pops into mind is, did the person you get it from tell you whether or not it was shave ready?

    Also it does just kinda sound like beginners issues. I remember my first shave, was with a Feather, the first few weeks were unpleasant, but if you stick with it, it will get better.

  4. #4
    Frameback Aficionado heavydutysg135's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    1,367
    Thanked: 92

    Default

    Man, I would not have tried to learn to shave with a Japanese straight razor. Anyway, either the razor is not shave ready, or you have to learn to use proper technique. You could eliminate the first possible problem if the razor was honed by a honemeister before you got it. The amount of stubble on your face should not be a problem.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    711
    Thanked: 22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by heavydutysg135 View Post
    Man, I would not have tried to learn to shave with a Japanese straight razor. .
    +1 If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have started with a Japanese straight, even though it was just a feather.

    The other thing I just remembered is that Lynn's DVD can only teach so much, because angles and the way you hold a Japanese straight are different than that of a western straight.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    33
    Thanked: 2

    Default

    I read here on the forums that the Japanese straights are hollow ground on one side and flat ground on the other, and you your supposed to keep one side facing your face. I don't remember if it was the flat side or hollow ground side.

  7. #7
    Natty Boh dave5225's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    1,462
    Thanked: 183

    Default

    You need to keep the hollow ground side towards your face . A properly honed Tosuke is an awesome shaver , but I would not recommend it for a newb , especially for your first shave . I think you would do best getting a conventional stye shave ready straight razor , and save the Tosuke for use after you you have more experience using a straight razor . I have a Tosuke , and it's my favorite razor . BTW , a Tosuke is honed differently than a "regular" straight razor . On a Tosuke the hollow side is given 3 strokes on the hone , and the wedge side is given 2 strokes . Be patient , and keep it fun .
    Greetings , from Dundalk , Maryland . The place where normal people , fear to go .

  8. #8
    Born on the Bayou jaegerhund's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    1,773
    Thanked: 6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Aram View Post

    The first stroke, i barley touched the blade to my face, and it took a few hairs off.
    I dont know why, but I was terrified of the blade cutting up my face, so I did not put any pressure on the blade AT ALL.

    You don't know why? This is a perfectly natural response and anyone here will tell you that the first time you put one of these things on your face ----- well it takes a leap of faith -- and a little fear is natural. It doesn't seem to me that you have started with the easiest razor but whatever route you choose it will take trial and error as no one can explain exactly what to do or what's best for you. After a few shaves accompanied by the inevitable beginner's nicks and cuts, you will learn the right pressure and angle ----- keep at it but I must say there is no easy way, it's rites of passage time .

    Justin
    Last edited by jaegerhund; 03-30-2008 at 05:16 PM.

  9. #9
    JMS
    JMS is offline
    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Ramona California
    Posts
    6,858
    Thanked: 792

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jaegerhund View Post
    You don't know why? This is a perfectly natural response and anyone here will tell you that the first time you put one of these things on your face ----- well it takes a leap of faith -- and a little fear is natural. It doesn't seem to me that you have started with the easiest razor but whatever route you chose it will take trial and error as no one can explain exactly what to do or what's best for you. After a few shaves accompanied by the inevitable beginner's nicks and cuts, you will learn the right pressure and angle ----- keep at it but I must say there is no easy way, it's rites of passage time .

    Justin
    You know, I completely missed that! I was shaking so bad the first time I shaved with a straight that I thought for sure I was going to cut something off!

  10. #10
    Born on the Bayou jaegerhund's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    1,773
    Thanked: 6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JMS View Post
    You know, I completely missed that! I was shaking so bad the first time I shaved with a straight that I thought for sure I was going to cut something off!

    I was thinking "do I really want to do this?' --- and I applied so little pressure that the thing barely touched my skin --- and because I was nervous and uncertain, I cut myself --- I couldn't see my face in the mirror, the hand/mirror coordination was all funky, and the thoughts of doing anything beyond a WTG pass was inconceivable ---- the resulting shaves sucked but things improved rapidly .


    Justin

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •