Thread: Scything questions

So, I've recently started using a straight (5 shaves so far, a few tiny wee nicks and two slices so far), and found myself wondering about this scything action. Currently, I can get my angles and pressure pretty damn good on my cheek area, and am working on my neck and chin. Should I also be working on getting that scything action mentioned in the wiki down now, or should I wait until I can get a good shave almost every time using my current technique (blade basically just scraping off the lather and bristles)?

As long as you keep the pressure down to a minimum (ideally, none at all), you should be safe. Learning scything and guillotine motions is a good thing, though, in my opinion. But we put them in Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki for a reason

Scything implies you do a slightly slicing motion. This significantly increases the chance of slicing you skin as well. If you rest the cutting edge of your blade on the skin you will not cut yourself. As soon as you start a slicing movement your will cut yourself.

Same with slicing. I never do it.

While it does increase the chances of cutting yourself, if you go slowly and carefully it works well. Once I started using the scything and guillotine strokes my shaves improved in comfort and closeness. As always, YMMV.

At barber college we were taught to do the scything motion from the getgo, however we were doing it on someone else.
What will make it a little easier is not to slid the whole arm, but to just bend wrist sideways as you make the stroke.

Scything works best when you do it subconsciously IMO. The skill is picked up without even realising it.

I think you word it well when you say that if you aren't scything, you are scraping. But that makes it sound much worse than it should. Using a "scraping" motion has its benefits for beginners - it reduces the chance of cutting yourself (unless you use too much pressure.) It helps you learn good angles and pressure, and lets you know if the blade is sharp enough.

If you start scything too early in the learning process it can cover for bad technique or a poor blade, so it slows your learning.

I think it would be easier to start with the guillotine stroke before the scything stroke. At any rate, you must have a good, confident stroke with no pressure. I did not try the scything stroke until I had shaved with a str8 45 times or so and I did cut myself the first time.

It is a useful technique, but I have to admit it does take practice. I've been shaving with a straight for almost a year now ( has it been that long already??) and find it a useful stroke but it took some time to get right. But, only a few weeks ago I got a good sized cut right on the underside of my chin from doing a slicing motion, as I had too much sideways motion and not enough downward motion...

It's important to do a nice smooth stroke as well as keeping a very light touch, so if you do hit a snag you won't dig the razor into your face.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

As long as you keep the pressure down to a minimum (ideally, none at all), you should be safe. Learning scything and guillotine motions is a good thing, though, in my opinion. But we put them in Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki for a reason

+1 If you only have 5 straight razor shaves down with some nicks and a couple of slices I suggest that you put this thought on the back burner for a while. It is an advances technique and should be attempted AFTER you don't have to think about straight shaving in the basic style.

That said, the decision and the consequences of you actions are your own responsibility.

I don't mean to sound negative about your question, just answering your question in plain English.

Good luck with your straight shaves.

Originally Posted by Kees

Scything implies you do a slightly slicing motion. This significantly increases the chance of slicing you skin as well. If you rest the cutting edge of your blade on the skin you will not cut yourself. As soon as you start a slicing movement your will cut yourself.

Same with slicing. I never do it.

A scything motion is not the same thing as a slicing motion. A scything motion is nothing more that a curved stroke. The easiest way to explain the mechanics, at least for me, that as you move the blade linearly (for example down your the side of your face) you also pivot the razor about the point where the blade and scales intersect. I use my wrist to do this, while I use my arm for the linear motion.