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  1. #1
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
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    Default Leading With the Point

    Gentlemen,

    What are your thoughts on leading with the point? I would love to hear thoughts on this as well from my shave guru Lynn.

    Some time ago a friend and I had a conversation on the topic. We both agreed that leading with the point made sense. We both use the technique. I have read other opinions on it as well, especially one from Dr. Moss.

    Obviously the technique has its dangers, too: one can easily lose focus and shave horizontally, which is like stepping on a landmine.

    What brought this topic to my mind is seeing a video on this forum of a barber using the technique. Aha, I thought to myself.

    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Obie

  2. #2
    Troublemaker
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    You are talking about scything, sliding and guillotine passes which are covered in the wiki. I use them and their effect is basically to make the blade feel sharper and smoother than it would if you moved the blade 90° to the edge.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chimensch View Post
    You are talking about scything, sliding and guillotine passes which are covered in the wiki. I use them and their effect is basically to make the blade feel sharper and smoother than it would if you moved the blade 90° to the edge.
    Ditto - a closer and smoother shave. I find it easier to lead with the heel but also lead with the toe at times.

  4. #4
    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    This what you are talking about is referred to as the cutting angle and in my experience because it cuts easier it is actually safer than a straight push. This is the proper way to shave with a straight razor.

    X

  5. #5
    BHAD cured Sticky's Avatar
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    I use lead, too. Since I shave with only my dominant hand; I lead with toe or heel, interchangeably. Usually only 10 to 20 degrees. The 30 degree lead shown in the barber manual is a bit too much for me.

  6. #6
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
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    Default Leading With the Point

    Gentlemen,

    Thank you for your comments and for the information. It is indeed a pleasure to continue learning from you.

    I have been shaving straight for a while, but I am hungry for all the information I can get in this noble art. That's one more nugget of pleasure in shaving with a straight: you never stop learning.

    Regards,

    Obie

  7. #7
    Never a dull moment hoglahoo's Avatar
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    I have in the past used both toe leading and heel leading shaving strokes.

    But I discovered that should the blade ever snag on a hair, the toe leading is a far safer maneuver. One does not want to slice into one's own face! Ideally that never happens that a blade snag the beard, but ideally we never nick ourselves either

    So now I use toe leading shaving strokes, though I still perform a nearly perpendicular stroke against the hair directly under my nose when shaving with the grain
    Find me on SRP's official chat in ##srp on Freenode. Link is at top of SRP's homepage

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to hoglahoo For This Useful Post:

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  9. #8
    Senior Member
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    Use both toe and heal leads as well. Whatever gets the best results.

    Pabster

  10. #9
      Lynn's Avatar
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    Obie One,

    I have to say that I rarely lead with the point......I is skeeeered



    Lynn

  11. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Oh, oh. I know I do an oblique too, but I'll be darned if I can tell you whether it's a tip or heel first. Maybe it's one or the other (which would be both, but not at the same time). I ain't askeeeerd, but I am confuuuused.

    Some things never change...

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