Thread: Interesting Razor Grip on YouTube

The barber's manual shows a picture of the barber with his thumb on the shank right at the shoulder of the blade (not ever on it - in fact, it's actually written right in the manual to not place the thumb on the blade).

I've started to employ this grip and enjoy it a lot for the extra control I get.

I'll have to look at this video later to see what grip the guy is using.

He's really close to the barber manual picture. However, his thumb is certainly on the blade and I wouldn't recommend that if for no other reason than if your thumb slips down...ouch.

I try to keep my thum right where the blade and the shank meet.

Originally Posted by steve

He's really close to the barber manual picture. However, his thumb is certainly on the blade and I wouldn't recommend that if for no other reason than if your thumb slips down...ouch.

I try to keep my thumb right where the blade and the shank meet.

Yeah, he's all over that blade, although I think it'd be pretty difficult for the thumb to slip down. It seems to be a pretty firm grip. Next time I'll give your method w/ the thumb at the juncture of the blade and the shank a try, though.

If I come back with a bloody thumb, you can say told ya so

-Q

You're right that he does look like he has a pretty tight grip on it. If you've tried that grip, how do you think it effected your ability to get the right blade angle? or did it not make a difference?

I think the bottom line is to grip it however is comfortable and safe, whichever grip that might be.

Now, about that bloody thumb....I've had one, a nice deep cut too. My advice is "don't try this at home"

If you watch closely, you'll see he often holds the blade at virtually a 90 degree angle from the face. 3.15 into the video gives a cleary picture of this. He doesn't do it 100% of the time but often enough that I wonder how he gets a decent shave. I'd guess he has to re-hone more often than most

I wonder how much his grip prevents proper angling of the blade.

FUD - I also wondered about this looking at the video.

Several months ago I tried this grip. It felt a bit scary, and I think it limited my ability to get the right angle. Haven't tried it since

Cheers
Ivo

There are a couple of things which sort of stand out in the video...concerning shaving technique. However, despite what I say, you also have to consider there is no one way to shave with a straight razor. It's more of what works best for you.

Anyway, first off, it looks as though he is using a shavette straight razor (fresh blade is injected into the holder, not honed to sharpness). This is fine. Those blades are pleanty sharp. Personally, I'd prefer the sharpness of a hand-honed straight razor....but, this blade will do the trick.

He does appear to have quite the strangle hold on the blade, and does seem to go to extreme angles through the shave. Also, his strokes are amazingly short, and highly repetative. This, to me, might be a sign of an edge that might not be 'quite there' and am thinking that with each successive pass, you are increasing the chance for razor burn.

I prefer a thumb under the tang, two fingers on top, and one on the tail curve. I feel I have more of a dexterous hold, allowing a scything motion, or rolling-rotation when needed. My first pass is one long straight pass from the sideburn to the bottom of the jaw, light and clean. And most of my strokes are much longer than those used in this video (the shortest being under the nose and lower lip). If the edge is keen enough, this should be ample. There is always the option of a 'second pass' if you want to get tricky areas...however, the key is a great edge, great prep, pull the skin tight, and then shave light and easy. Once you start applying pressure, or requiring many, many passes to achieve smooth you are going to burn come the after shave....

BUT that's just my take........I just like to see more people using straight razors!

C utz