Thread: First shave... FAIL!!

Aram, after my first shave with my pre-honed razor (first use) my results were very similar. I had been shaving for some time, and had the technique down pretty pat before I got my DOVO in. I sent mine back to be re-honed because I knew it wasn't my technique (tried multiple angles throughout the shave - same result) so just make 100% sure it isn't your technique. If you're positive, get it honed up real nice.

Good luck man

Aram,
The first shave is always the most tense and tentative one. I am going to have to say that jumping to str8s w/ a Japenese straight might be a bit much to handle. I am assuming that the str8 is shave ready.

You have made a significant investment already. My recommendation would be to get a traditional str8 and begin there if you can.

If not stick with the Tosuke you will get the hang of it I am sure, the learning curve with a Japenese str8 might be a bit steeper.

I agree that technique may have something to do with it, but it shouldn't give you razor burn and miss hairs, that sounds like an underhoned edge.
I have a couple of questions for you.
1) Did you strop your razor before shaving?
2) Did the razor come from someone with experience honing japanese styled razors?
3) Did you feel the razor pulling hair?


I'm going to go out on a limb, and say that I don't think your razor is sharp enough. This is especially true if you felt it pulling. However as I have absolutely no experience with japanese style razors please take this with a grain of salt.

to JMS: I wish I could have made it today. Next time, for sure. Its was only a few miles from here

The member whom I purchased the Tosuke from informed me that it was shave ready. He said I shouldn't even strop it so I know what it feels like to shave with a shave ready razor. He was knowledgeable about Japanese style razors.

I applied the sharp thumb test, and it felt sharp.


One thing I also forgot to mention is I thought that the razor was going OVER and skipping most of the hairs. Is that a sign of an OVER-honed razor?

What about the burning sensation after the shave? My face felt like it was on fire.

I do have a DOVO Special, so the next shave will be with a regular straight.


Thank you to all the generous members here who are helping me with this learning process.

I appreciate it all very much, and im not quitting anytime soon

so... THANX

-aram

Originally Posted by Aram

The member whom I purchased the Tosuke from informed me that it was shave ready. He said I shouldn't even strop it so I know what it feels like to shave with a shave ready razor.

On a side note, I'm assuming (and this is directed at everyone on the forum) that our forum honemiesters strop up razors they hone before sending them out. This may have been discussed before, but I have missed it since I've only been on here a month.

I'm assuming this because I believe each honemiester test-shaves the razors?

Thanks for the clarification...

~Chris

Originally Posted by cwrighta70

On a side note, I'm assuming (and this is directed at everyone on the forum) that our forum honemiesters strop up razors they hone before sending them out. This may have been discussed before, but I have missed it since I've only been on here a month.

I'm assuming this because I believe each honemiester test-shaves the razors?

Thanks for the clarification...

~Chris

Some suggest you strop whilst others don't. If your a newbie and you strop, you may roll the edge which will produce a crappy shave. However if you don't strop, depending on how many days it is in transit the edge may oxidize slightly thus also producing a crappy shave. 6 of one or 1/2 dozen of the other.

Welcome to SRP Aram! Glad to see that you are not giving up - the guys above have all given you terrific advice.....take advantage of the forums and the knowledge contained here and you'll be shaving with fewer and fewer problems as the days pass. Best of luck!!

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Some suggest you strop whilst others don't. If your a newbie and you strop, you may roll the edge which will produce a crappy shave. However if you don't strop, depending on how many days it is in transit the edge may oxidize slightly thus also producing a crappy shave. 6 of one or 1/2 dozen of the other.

The reason I ask is after reading through some of the manuals in the Documents area, stropping is a must after honing a razor. Then, after seeing posts saying "don't strop your freshly honed razor before shaving so that you don't roll the edge", I'm assuming they have been stropped by the honemiester and this is okay.