Results 1 to 10 of 37
Like Tree87Likes

Thread: So, what IS shaving anyway?

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2024
    Location
    New Mexico USA
    Posts
    14
    Thanked: 0

    Lightbulb So, what IS shaving anyway?

    Since I always shave with a double-edge razor, I chose this subforum to discuss my thoughts on shaving.

    So, what IS shaving anyway? Basically, it is the use of a very specialized knife to cut hair off one's skin. (BTW, I shave only my face and neck, nowhere else). The knife itself, a.k.a., the blade, is a very, very sharp, thin device held in a specialized handle. The purpose of the former is to cut the hair cleanly at its juncture with the skin -- but nothing else. The construction of the handle determines the amount of knife blade that is exposed and the angle at which it cuts the hair. While blade dimensions are standard, handle dimensions are not.

    Without discussing handle materials or quality, manufacturers decide the optimum blade exposure and angle that results in the best hair removal. There is, of course, another factor that figures into the equation: the human. Shaving with a double-edge razor is a skill, i.e., a learned art. The person must learn the proper angle at which to hold the razor head against the skin, the pressure applied to the razor, and both the length and direction of the cut.

    Here are my personal thoughts...

    The angle at which to hold the razor head against the skin is the easiest to learn. If both the upper and lower edges of the razor head contact the skin evenly, the blade will cut at the angle intended by the manufacturer. I have found that the best way to achieve this is to use a slight(!) amount of pressure while holding the handle loosely. If the handle is held to tightly, it is easy to change the angle intended by the manufacturer to an "incorrect" one. Personally, I let the razor determine the best angle by holding the handle loosely (with just enough grip to keep it from dropping).

    Learning the correct stroke is not as easy. The stroke must be at a right angle to the blade without sideways movement. Unlike a conventional knife, where the cut moves along the length of the blade, a DE razor stroke must not go in a sideways direction -- or an unwanted cut may result. The blade movement MUST be at exactly 90o to the edge! This is the part of the technique that is most difficult to learn.

    The length of the stroke is not important as long as the correct angle and the correct stroke direction are both maintained. I find that my stroke length is longer while shaving my cheeks and shorter while shaving my neck. As long as I can maintain both the correct angle and direction of the stroke, I don't worry about the length.

    So, those are my thoughts. You can have an interesting time thinking about them the next time you are shaving.

    What are your thoughts? What IS shaving anyway?
    RezDog likes this.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,334
    Thanked: 3228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Barbudo View Post
    Since I always shave with a double-edge razor, I chose this subforum to discuss my thoughts on shaving.


    Learning the correct stroke is not as easy. The stroke must be at a right angle to the blade without sideways movement. Unlike a conventional knife, where the cut moves along the length of the blade, a DE razor stroke must not go in a sideways direction -- or an unwanted cut may result. The blade movement MUST be at exactly 90o to the edge! This is the part of the technique that is most difficult to learn.
    That would leave out using the "Gillette slide technique" and it does not explain slant razor DEs.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2024
    Location
    New Mexico USA
    Posts
    14
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    I have never heard of the "Gillette slide technique", but reading about it makes me glad that I never have. It sounds dangerous!

    Secondly, I think that slant razor DEs are marketing hype. I don't think that they cut any more efficiently than conventional DE razors, since the blade length (which does the actual cutting) is the same length (or very close). If there was any real advantage to a slant, [U]every[U] manufacturer would make one and conventional DEs would be hard to find.

    The principle is based on the guillotine, but the guillotine is designed for one cut of a single object (a human neck) which has a lot of resistance. Razors cut human hairs, which are significantly different! They are much, much thinner and offer very, very, very little resistance.
    Last edited by Barbudo; 08-15-2024 at 08:24 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,334
    Thanked: 3228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Barbudo View Post
    I have never heard of the "Gillette slide technique", but reading about it makes me glad that I never have. It sounds dangerous!

    Secondly, I think that slant razor DEs are marketing hype. I don't think that they cut any more efficiently than conventional DE razors, since the blade length (which does the actual cutting) is the same length (or very close). If there was any real advantage to a slant, [U]every[U] manufacturer would make one and conventional DEs would be hard to find.

    The principle is based on the guillotine, but the guillotine is designed for one cut of a single object (a human neck) which has a lot of resistance. Razors cut human hairs, which are significantly different! They are much, much thinner and offer very, very, very little resistance.
    Well, it might sound dangerous and likely could be if you were sloppy or inattentive with your technique. I use it daily on my throat and can say it is very effective.

    You can suppose all you want about how effective a slant razor is and whether it is all just hype. Until you try one you really don't know.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  5. #5
    32t
    32t is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth 32t's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    50 miles west of randydance
    Posts
    9,692
    Thanked: 1354

    Default

    To me shaving is a ritual and sometimes a necessaty .

    Did I spell neccesaty right? LOL

  6. #6
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lone Star State
    Posts
    26,168
    Thanked: 8617

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 32t View Post
    .

    Did I spell neccesaty right? LOL
    I would say not. My spell check is on the fritz so I must reword some things. Things I can spell!
    rolodave and RezDog like this.
    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out."
    I rest my case.

  7. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2024
    Location
    New Mexico USA
    Posts
    14
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobH View Post
    Well, it might sound dangerous and likely could be if you were sloppy or inattentive with your technique. I use it daily on my throat and can say it is very effective.

    You can suppose all you want about how effective a slant razor is and whether it is all just hype. Until you try one you really don't know.

    Bob
    If slant razors are so effective, why are the GREAT MAJORITY of DE razors [U]not[U] slant style? Marketers will sell whatever the market demands, and clearly regular DE razors far outnumber slant razors.

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,334
    Thanked: 3228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Barbudo View Post
    If slant razors are so effective, why are the GREAT MAJORITY of DE razors [U]not[U] slant style? Marketers will sell whatever the market demands, and clearly regular DE razors far outnumber slant razors.
    My only point is that you are assuming something without having tried a slant razor. You have not verified your assumption by having used a slant and that is fine if that suits you. Don't expect me or others to take that as gospel. I have and have used slant razors. I have found them, for my use, to be as effective as non-slant razors.

    The whole shaving thing is very much a ymmv game where something works for one person and not another.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  9. #9
    Senior Member Johntoad57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    1,845
    Thanked: 429

    Default

    To ask the question "what is shaving?" is like asking "Why is there air?" I can't believe that I'm responding to this nonsense!
    sharptonn and RezDog like this.
    Semper Fi !

    John

  10. #10
    I'm a social vegan. I avoid meet. JBHoren's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Greenacres, FL
    Posts
    3,265
    Thanked: 603

    Default Re: So, what IS shaving anyway?

    Quote Originally Posted by Barbudo View Post
    What are your thoughts? What IS shaving anyway?
    As I long-ago learned, shaving is "progressive stubble removal". To which I would add "performed in a methodical and deliberate manner."

    The rest is "commentary".
    sharptonn, 32t and PaulFLUS like this.
    You can have everything, and still not have enough.
    I'd give it all up, for just a little more.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •