Thread: 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

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.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

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.

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

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.

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

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

Use both toe and heal leads as well. Whatever gets the best results.

Pabster

Obie One,

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



Lynn

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...