Thread: Sweeping lots of not?

I'm thinking about trying to get edges to last longer as a newer user. How much side sweeping motion Do people do ATG? I've been trying to include some in most of my passes and I don't have to press as hard. On the other hand experienced shavers on you tube seem to use vary little sweeping.
I'm aiming for low irritation and using very low angles.
Thanks
Matt

Well, first of all be very careful about what you believe in YouTube videos. That's just a general warning across the board. YouTube is a minefield and if you don't know if what you are watching is accurate or not then you can get sucked in by some BS artist and if you DO know if it is accurate then you probably gain nothing from it anyway.

Here is a video from an instructor that I personally recommend.

https://youtu.be/63cNUU206-0

right on!
lots of info, i will take the time to watch it.
matt

right on!
lots of info, i will take the time to watch the series.
matt

I use a scything stroke as I pass over my jawline, during a ATG pass. And a few other crazy strokes of my own design.

I'll say this...wouldn't try it, till your extremely confident in your abilities.

I do very little scything or sweeping strokes. I try to keep my strokes as long as I can make them, so no buffing either. What I do concentrate on is skin holding and stretching. It gets more important the older I get. The issue being we have so many varieties and combinations of skin type and beard type and growth patterns it is hard to say this is the path. I did in the beginning do a lot of small changes and try to hold onto a new concept for several shaves. Although there were a few times I tried this or that and it was an immediate fail. For me, getting the pressure right was pretty important, combined with the right skin holding technique.

Originally Posted by mattnat

I'm thinking about trying to get edges to last longer as a newer user. How much side sweeping motion Do people do ATG? I've been trying to include some in most of my passes and I don't have to press as hard. On the other hand experienced shavers on you tube seem to use vary little sweeping.
I'm aiming for low irritation and using very low angles.
Thanks
Matt

How is a sweeping motion going to make your edge last longer?

Early on I was told that forcing the blade through the hair can dull it quickly. I have been holding the blade about 70degrees off the shaving direction rather than 90.

The other variable, I should say I'm in the low angles away from my skin camp so far.

Originally Posted by mattnat

Early on I was told that forcing the blade through the hair can dull it quickly. I have been holding the blade about 70degrees off the shaving direction rather than 90.

The other variable, I should say I'm in the low angles away from my skin camp so far.

Almost all my shaving strokes have some lateral element.
I do believe that this lateral movement makes for a closer shave (and it also drives home the message that one should not use pressure as the result would be painful ).

I have the image of slicing bread in my mind, where the sideways movement greatly improves the cutting action.
This lateral element may not be for everyone and I also do believe that technique evolves and that ultimately everyone finds the technique that works best for him.


B.