Thread: EXIT General Tojo

I'm not surprised with your result. Like I said shaving with one of these is like learning to shave all over again and your result is typical. As I recall it took me at least a week of everyday shaving to start getting good results when I first used one. You need to try a higher angle than with a western razor and of course watch the pressure. As I recall the biggest problem I had was figuring out the right hand holds and properly using the correct technique with my off hand and the weird positions even with my strong hand.

The last day before I sent it out I used it to shave off 2.5 days growth on my chin and I don't have no peach fuzz and it went right through that.

So just keep at it and keep experimenting with those handholds. You'll probably find it works better on the writing side since it was optimized for that side though it cuts fine on the other. I always found shaving on the non writing side was easier probably because the razor edge is canted and canted away from your face makes it seem easier but the other side really hugs your face and gives a better result.

I'll shave again tonight, and probably will report on the results tomorrow morning - tonight is pool and cigar night with my friend!

Apologies for the delay. As it turns out I'm not a very good planner, and didn't make it when I said I would.

Eventually I got my second shave last night at around 2AM. I was extremely careful with the pressure, and it paid off handsomely. My new scuttle came in handy; I made a thick hot lather and got down to it. I find the main advantage of the scuttle is that I can dip my finger in and spot lather for touch ups - and I needed a few.

I found out that the hold is the key to the angle with this blade. At times I held it as a fork and other times like a scalpel, and everything in between. I took a page out of Old GI's book and rubbed my fingers on the alum block, and that gave me a little edge (no pun intended) in the holding and stretching.

As I mentioned I paid lots of attention to the pressure, or lack of, throughout the shave, and this made a big difference. While I didn't get as close a shave as I do with my regular razors, it was a very good shave in every sense. The only thing I didn't get to do was the fool's pass on my upper lip, so I settled for a XTG pass with good results. The chin came out smooth and in the end I only had one dubious patch in my neck where my genetic pool decided to get funky and gave me a twirly of whiskers.

Overall it was an excellent shave. I didn't get any razor burn, no heat at all. A vast improvement over the first one and, I hope, a step to a better one next time.

Third shave and I was getting a little c0cky and paid of myself, and I probably got careless. It's not a big thing; I suspect the toe bit me, although I did not notice it at the time. Just an inconsequential nick, but there it is. First blood.

The shave itself was good; as I get more used to the blade I'm getting better results, especially on the upper lip.

Besides the cut I got a bit of burn on the neck. In retrospective I realize I put pressure trying to deal with that rebellious patch and I shouldn't have.

Still, this was my best experience with The General, as I got good results and felt comfortable with it. If I just manage to get out of my own way I can do a little better than this.

All good things must come to an end.

I'm fixing to have my last shave with The General; that'll make it six shaves during the time I was privileged to have it, which is as many as I could possibly have at the rate my beard grows. Normally I would do with two shaves a week, but I stepped it up... I don't know when I will have the chance to use a kamisori again.

I expect a fine shave, as they all were with the exception of the first one. It has been a rewarding if humbling experience. Never mastered the "one side only" shave, and don't think I'll have an epiphany tonight. That's not a regret, just an observation.

Tomorrow I will strop, oil and pack The General Tojo and send it on to the next lucky guy.

To thebigspendur, thank you. I am in your debt.

I believe I am up next, Snake. Looking forward to meeting the General... glad to hear your experience was positive!

Arsenal,

General Tojo has left headed in your direction, and it shouldn't be long before it arrives at your doorstep.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Best of luck!

The General has arrived here! Still in the box... off to the Penguins game tonight. Will open it up tomorrow and have a go with him. Let you know the results tomorrow.

First shave this morning. It was very good. No blood, no problems. I did treat it like a regular razor and shaved with both sides. Experimented slightly with shaving only with the one side, but opted for both. Maybe has something to do with my only shaving with my predominant right hand, don't know.

Good shave all around, kept the pressure as light as I possibly could. Looking forward to some more shaves!

Usually the comment is Itai!!!!Baka da'mey!!!
~Richard

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Very interesting, I was doing some touch-up work on the razor and was test shaving this morning and as I was doing my chin some strange force seemed to move my hand in an awkward position and I nicked myself. The funny thing is instead of saying Oww I said Bonzai!. Then as I was cleaning up the razor and patting it dry I heard this strange voice say Aragato.
Hmmm.