Thread: lead with the tip

I am down to my 5 shave on the right side cheek and today I did the neck and under my chin. I heard someone say in a video or maybe on this site....to lead the razor with the tip. I tried it and it worked.I have found if you let the tip take the lead you can glide the blade better.

I still have a long way to go, but the shaves are getting better. The sections I used the SR on are very smooth. I still have some razor burn but not as bad as before. I can maneuver the blade much more confidence now.

I still have to start to shave with left hand on the left side of my face. Small steps and victories. I have to admit it does get to be a addictive, but I do love going to work or out on the town with a great shave. The small things in life mean a lot.

The razor I use is a 5/8 round tip I would bet if you use a Spanish or straight tip you would not want to lead with it.

Anyhow it works for me, I will probably get some responses saying not to do this. Pleas if this is a bad or dangerous practice let me know please.

Good tip (no pun) . Keep it up,you'll have it in no time. Be sure to keep us posted.

I have been using my right hand for the whole face. I'm still fairly new but I can get the offhand side almost as well as my dominant side this way. Might work better if you have a useless hand like me.

The razor burn will go away as you get your technique down... it wont be long.

Leading with the tip would still be in order with a spike tip, Spanish point, square point... or I would imagine any point. Having the blade at a slight rotated angle causes the blade to slice through the hair rather then chop it. Its much easier to slice anything then come at it straight on and our beard hair is no different.

Keep at it! You'll be doing your face and have no burn before you know it!

Some lead with the tip. Some lead with the heel. Either way will cut with a slicing motion in a more efficient manner than a straight down stroke. This is comparable to slicing a tomato. The blade cuts the tomato much better with a slicing motion rather than pushing the blade straight down through the tomato.

Just don't use any kind of sawing motion or you'll be slicing a lot more than just hair...

Actually Moonshae a good scything motion cuts the best in certain spots of the face. I wouldn't call it a beginners move though :<0) Once you learn a lighter touch does a better job you can add techniques that would be ill advised of too soon in the experience.

Here is a Classic video showing some nice technique. He talks about leading with point @6:55.
Note that this is a video from a barber school so some things won't apply to shaving one's self. Alsi, it looks like the instructor is using a shavette so the angle rather large.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zLFzLZG66L4

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Here is a Classic video showing some nice technique. He talks about leading with point @6:55.
Note that this is a video from a barber school so some things won't apply to shaving one's self. Alsi, it looks like the instructor is using a shavette so the angle rather large.

So different than shaving yourself, some of the grips he was using to shave someone, especially doing the left side of the face and holding the razor so it doesn't cut the customer's ear was very interesting.

I liked the way he broke every section down, and as you point out, lead with the tip using a slow scything motion....makes me want to try and shave someone else, sheesh, if I screw it up, no skin off my.....


Thanks!