Thread: Scything / Glide / "Slicing" - Tips on how to learn it?

Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe

Indeed. I prefer the word term scything as well, but I'm just copying the term used on the wiki here I wouldn't want to learn how to cut into my skin After all, I can do that already!

I think I'll change the topic title..

Thanks for the tips, honedright I'll try that. Also, is there a big difference in which way you move the razor? I found that I got cut less frequently when I would move the razor "forward", with the point of the razor leading, although this could also be my lack of practice.

edit: Oi! Did the wiki article just change?

Point leading forward. It's a strictly linear movement combining a forward motion (point leading) and edge across the skin with the heel held higher relative to the point. Scything suggests an arc, or pivoting, component which I do not incorporate when I shave. At least one of the older barber manuals teaches this method and that is how I learned. It takes some practice though

Alright! I knew it felt kind of wrong, when I did it the other way around Thanks, honedright!

Originally Posted by JokiJo

Wrist.

Use your wrist!

Wait, that came out wrong. As in, pivot your wrist to get the arcing motion.

Hahaha. Razor, meet wrist. Wrist, razor

.. Wait, that can't be right.

check out the first link in my sig, you can watch the video to see how I do it.

A lot of the pictures, like the one in the 1961 Barbering Text - Shaving.pdf, show about a 30 degree lead. Try using a bit less lead (~20 degrees maybe). I shave with just my dominant hand, so sometimes I lead with the heel.

I like calling it a guillotine method as well... I mean, what could be better than using the guillotine method with your cut-throat razor??

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Come on Rob ...

Lee and I fixed it with a quickness, we are fast that way LMAO...

-Rob

Gentlemen,

The scything stroke works well for me in certain spots. Only the wrist moves and with even strokes. This especially works well for me on the neck and the right side of my face where the hair growth is straight from the insane asylum.

Regards,

Obie

It's a very nice method indeed. I use that and buffing. Take my time because I'm still no pro. I'd rather that than risk a cut. :Beer:

Stretch, stretch and stretch the skin and for god sake go light.
I've been experimenting with various scything techniqes for some years now depending what hand has the blade and what side of the face and whisker direction, I have had the training cuts to prove it (some bad ones).
At the end of the day it was worth it for me, closer shaves and for sure no irritation at all now and I rarely get nicked, even with less than perfect edges.
Confidence is a big factor, I just bit the bullet and kept the alum handy.
A pleasent side effect is blade edges seem to last a lot longer between honing sessions, can anyone else attest to this?

Deckard

What a timely post for me. I think I can call myself a man of 1,000+ straight razor shaves now. Surprisingly or not, in those 1,000+ shaves I attempted the scything stroke on only several occasions. Once with a Feather AC and too steep an angle. That left a divot scar on my face for about 9 months from the slice. My fault.

Just this last week, while shaving and not really intending to, I started short scything strokes on my chin area. It felt natural this time. I always shave with a low angle, and even lower for these strokes (10-15 degrees tops). I was actually amazed at the greater ease of cutting.

I would consider it to be an advanced shaving technique only because of the danger of slicing into your face with a steep blade angle. It wasn't hard for me to visualize then shudder at the idea that with even moderate pressure, a steep angle and carelessness, a person could inadvertently give themselves a Chelsea Smile turning a scything stroke into a slicing stroke.

Chris L