Thread: 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.

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

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.

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.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

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.

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.

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 .

Originally Posted by Aram

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

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

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!

Originally Posted by JMS

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