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This guy has been shaving with a SR since most of us were kids or teens. Around 34 years now! He is a member of SRP but has not been active here in years for his own reasons. Everyone can learn something from this video. From prep to angle to pressure to stretching to guilituine strokes to post shave. This guy has class, style, and A LOT of experience! Thought it was about time to bring this video back to the forefront.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ing-video.html
That's indeed a very interesting video.
Yes it is. IIRC he hired a professional camera man to make the video. It is very well done.
He makes it look so easy doesn't he? It was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece.
He was my trainer for the most part. I probably watched several hundred times. Periodically I'd discover something he was doing that I hadn't noticed before or remembered. My technique is similar.. He told me that he doesn't participate much on the forums any more because he never changes razors or soaps any more, and that makes it hard to contribute much other than his technique by example. We discuss things we are unfamiliar with and his curiousity has long been satisfied. I owe a great deal to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steel
Every time I watch this I pick up something new like the length of the strokes or the fact he doesn't over stretch his skin but more anchors it and subtly stretches it much like a barber does. I haven't watched several hundred times but maybe around 15 times and every time I learn something new.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
Thanks for sharing
Your welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
If I am seeing that correctly, he shaves the left side of his face with the right hand, and right side with the left. Or am I directionally challenged? I loved watching it and plan to watch it many more times as I work on my technique. Thanks for sharing.
Yes. At around 3:30 he switches back to a more traditional right hand right side
Of face technique so it appears he is comfortable using both styles. If you read through the thread too you'll see he does a 5 pass shave daily. WTG XTG ATG XTG ATG. I have been doing a 4 pass shave WTG XTG ATG ATG but today I'm going to try the 5 passes. Another subtle technique worth noting is besides the fact that he doesn't over stretch the skin he also at one point holds his head down a bit while shaving the sides of his neck. That's around 5:05. Lots of subtle tips to pick up on watching this. It's good for beginners and advanced straight razor users alike.
Yeah, I noticed the multiple passes. I also do multiple passes but I'm a newbie and going slow. My other passes are with my Harry's Truman razor. But I'm progressing well, I believe. This video gives me a lot more confidence. I've been lucky too with only a couple of nicks and thankfully no cuts. So far so good.
I've watched this many times and always find it helpful. Thanks for posting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steel
Yes. I don't think I would recommend the multiple passes to someone just starting out as that is something to shoot for. I did the 5 passes this morning and although I loved it the 5th pass was pushing it. It does make you slow down and not try to get every hair off your face on the first pass though but you definitely need to be vigalent with the angles and pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by RustySterling
That is another thing that is subtle about his technique. He just scrapes the lather off. No pressure at all. Of course with 5 passes it's hard to miss a hair. Lol.
this is a great vid,
I use the sponge for wiping the blade rather than rinsing each time since the first time i saw this vid some time ago
Gents, my cheers also for an excellent vid. Its a fine gift.
FWIW Our honorable MrSell has a shaving/collecting anniversary coming up. The number will be a bit higher.
The first time I heard how long MrSell has been at it - was the last time I took his words lightly. He's very skilled on the stones, constantly experimenting w/ progressions, and a pleasure to speak/write with. 'Gives the word 'Gentleman' a good name.
Well said pinklather! I have read most of his posts here and he is very knowledgable and again a very clear and good reminder that because you are a senior member here doesn't automatically mean you know what you're doing (look at me. Hahaha) and on the flip side just because you're not a senior member here doesn't mean to DONT know what you're doing. Of course Mr. Sell is both a senior member here AND very experienced in all aspects.
Me too. I switched from using a towel to a sponge because the sponge was easier to rinse out. I didn't like all the water wasted from washing an extra load of towels every so often. After seeing this video I switched right away and never looked back (although I put the sponge on counter away from faucet)Quote:
Originally Posted by Substance
Somehow I have missed this video even though I have watched quite a few. Thanks for the tip :) I have to watch it more thoroughly later but a thing that struck me is his hand positioning, right hand left side vice versa. I use my right hand for my right side, left hand left side. Except for when I go ATG, then I switch. I also don't go XTG on the chin, I go ATG instead since I find XTG a bit awkward on the chin.
Yes. At around 3:30 he switches and does a more traditional grip too. He is definitely well versed in different grips and has found what is comfortable for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludvig
A lot can be said for a soft beard and a rounded face. He has it, I don't. He is a pro for sure as you can tell he is very experienced but for me his strokes would not work because my beard is way to tough for that. On a second note, I wonder what his soap is?
Thanks for the post...great video.
One thing I remember him saying is that there was no internet or video to follow when he learned. He doesn't claim to be right, he figured out on his own what worked for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludvig
For me, I couldn't do some of his strokes, particularly XTG. With practice I could, and reach places I initially couldn't reach.
What an inspiration to shave that well. He makes it looks o so simple.
Great video
Great info, Thanks for the post!!
Yeah. I am glad he made the video. I guess it cost him a couple hundred dollars to have someone come in and film it. I have learned a lot from watching him.
As a newbie, I keep going back to it as I progress through the various stages of SR shaving. Still have trouble with XTG on the neck but seeing how he does it helps me a lot.