Thread: EXIT General Tojo

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!