Thread: Be careful with guillotine stroke!

I got a nice little slice on my cheek today. I thought I was getting this stroke down and got a little cocky! Big mistake! But, with a little styptic and alum bloc, fixed right up and no big deal. My C-Mon Blackie is SHARP! Other than that little slip, the shave just keep getting better....

The guillotine stroke is actually fairly safe. The trick is to keep your horizontal angle relatively low, and then pull straight down; if you don't you're incorporating a slicing motion, which is likely how you got cut. Keeping the skin taut will also improve your chances of a bloodless shave.

Now on the other hand, the scything stroke is what bleeds most newbies. That's one to save until you really feel comfortable with the blade.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The guillotine stroke is actually fairly safe. The trick is to keep your horizontal angle relatively low, and then pull straight down; if you don't you're incorporating a slicing motion, which is likely how you got cut. Keeping the skin taut will also improve your chances of a bloodless shave.

Now on the other hand, the scything stroke is what bleeds most newbies. That's one to save until you really feel comfortable with the blade.

That's exactly what happened!

OK. Now you must explain the scything stroke.....

lol - that's a tough one. The exact description of the scything stroke has been under heavy debate here at SRP for quite some time. Where's Utopian when you need him?

Anyway, the consensus seems to be that this is the best explanation: Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by Ryan82

lol - that's a tough one. The exact description of the scything stroke has been under heavy debate here at SRP for quite some time. Where's Utopian when you need him?

Anyway, the consensus seems to be that this is the best explanation: Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Well I think I'll save slicing, I mean scything, for a bit later!

I cut myself the same way last week. Ouch is all I can say.