Thread: 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 90^o 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?

Originally Posted by Barbudo

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 90^o 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

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.

Originally Posted by Barbudo

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

To me shaving is a ritual and sometimes a necessaty .

Did I spell neccesaty right? LOL

Originally Posted by 32t

.

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!

I use the slide when i shave my neck also. And yes, with a DE.
And IMO Ive never found the Slant razor to make my shave closer, faster. So I gave up on them after buying a few of them.

Originally Posted by BobH

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.

Originally Posted by Barbudo

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

Originally Posted by BobH

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

My assumption, as I stated earlier, is that conventional DE razors are what the majority of people use, judging by the amount that are offered by the vendors. If slant razors were better they would dominate the market. "Just as effective" doesn't prove anything.

I am basing my thoughts on a) having shaved my face for more than 65 years with a variety of razors and b) being a knife collector, I am aware of just how cutting something with an edged tool works. I am not asking you or anyone else to take my thoughts as "gospel". I simply believe that cutting hair from one's face with a direct downward force (as opposed to a slanting force) is all that is necessary, which is why the great majority of safety razors sold are conventional style. If you think that slant razors are as effective as non-slant razors, fine.