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

Remember that it's more of a gliding movement, if you can visualize that. You are correct that a pure horizontal movement across the skin will produce a cut. Keep the razor flat, only slightly raised from the skin. And a steady controlled grip on the razor. Also, multiple short strokes, as opposed to one long stroke across the face, will help reduce the opportunity for a cut.

It's important to stretch the skin as well.

I think just calling it scything instead of slicing will make a positive difference....


Thank you for the link BTW never heard of it before....

I agree with Glen

Usually slicing is referred to the kind of stroke that will open your face up ie. a motion in which the edge moves lengthwise. Slicing is bad

Although guillotine sounds just as bad, it really isn't

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I agree with Glen

Usually slicing is referred to the kind of stroke that will open your face up ie. a motion in which the edge moves lengthwise. Slicing is bad

Although guillotine sounds just as bad, it really isn't

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?

Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe

edit: Oi! Did the wiki article just change?

Yes it did, Lee fixed it already

Dude we are fast...

Wrist.

Use your wrist!

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

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.

That is an actual shaving move?!
I didn't know that a week ago, when I attempted it. I did three strokes and it scared the crap out of me.
I suppose I'll give it another try, now that my hand is more stable and I know that it is a real shaving stroke.
thanks guys.

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

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