scything/swipe pass

I'm a newbie (20 shaves) but have found that sometimes the traditional advice of WTG or ATG conflicts with the way my beard grows. By that I mean that WTG sometimes seem to mean (as I get more confident) that I need to do an semi-ATG pass first, kind of in a swiping motion, like one would clear a car windshield of water...hand held stable; blade rotated in a wiper movement. I know it could be dangerous if I lose concentration, but it seems to work. Is that what some of you more experienced shavers mean when you say a scythe motion?

Scything pass is the greatest pass:)

I like the way you explained it. Love the scythe.

Up, down and crosswise passes must sooner or later make room for scything passes. On down the road comes a real leap of faith called the guillotine pass. These techniques, I have heard, make shaves smoother and keep blades sharper, longer.

The scything and guillotine strokes can work really well but don't rush into them there is a reason they fall under advanced techniques.

Bob

I use a sideways angle to the stroke on everything. If you attempt to do it don't use a spike point(or mute the point on the edge of a glass) and maybe try the cheek at a 20 degree angle to the stroke, like a Gillette slide if you will. Do it slow and be careful.

To be fair, the traditional passes we discuss (WTG, XTG, ATG) are guidelines only; it's up to YOU to adapt these passes to shave your own face. Typically this requires some form of hybrid pass that will suit the individual, since "perfect" up-down growth is very rare.

As for the definition of scything, well that used to generate some heated debates here at SRP. I define it as a "pivoting" motion, but others will argue. There's a good pic in the Library/Wiki. However if whatever you're doing is working, go for it. :)

Evidently, I agree :brunoisright

Guillotine pass is my fave, now I know what to call it.