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Hey there, folks!
I'm always trying to learn the more advanced shaving techniques, and today I tried my hand at slicing. Overal I had a great smooth shave, I just cut into my skin a couple of times, like I expected. I sometimes ended up making complete horizontal movements, even though I wanted to make a diagonal movement.
Do you guys have any tips on how to improve this technique? I found it to be incredibly useful, and it definitely cuts through my whiskers much easier :)
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 :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
?!?!
:popcorn:
Quote:
Originally Posted by sicboater
Come on Rob ...
Lee and I fixed it with a quickness, we are fast that way LMAO...
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! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by hoglahoo
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? :o
Yes it did, Lee fixed it already :)Quote:
Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe
Dude we are fast...
Wrist.
Use your wrist!
Wait, that came out wrong. As in, pivot your wrist to get the arcing motion.
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.
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 thoughQuote:
Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe
Alright! I knew it felt kind of wrong, when I did it the other way around :) Thanks, honedright!
Hahaha. Razor, meet wrist. Wrist, razor :)Quote:
Originally Posted by JokiJo
.. 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??
:)Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
-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:gl:
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
Anyone wanting to learn this must stay mindfull that there is always a downward (or upward component) to the stroke. Always better to scythe less than more, especialy when learning. I've been shaving this way for at least three years and still get the occasional nick. I agree you can still achieve the sweet spot with a shallower angle shaving this way.
Deckard
:beer1:
I am confused with the term "scything" The scything motion that I use is a sideway movement of the razor as it moves forward,a slicing motion, there is little wrist action in the way that I do it. I take short strokes. The razor is almost flat and I can feel the steel behind the edge. I personally use this technique when I am doing my final or touch-up because if I hit a hard hair or bump I will get a slice. Am I not doing it correctly? I am surely getting some kick ass shaves with it. I got Lynn's DVD a while back I guess I need to check it out because I read somewhere that he covers it.
Take Care,
Richard
The way I read your description, in my mind you're describing one in the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by riooso
Chris L
there is shouldn't be wrist action. keep it stable.Quote:
Originally Posted by riooso
Scything is the best way to shave with straight razor.GL
My experience is it is much easier to learn this by waiting for the second or third pass. On the first pass it is easier for the beard to hang up the forward motion leaving only the lateral component causing an instant cut.
Riooso,
If you're getting "kick ass" shaves then it's correct for you.
Scything simple means to slice as you would a tomato with a knife.
It dosn't realy matter about the finer points of technique as long as it feels natural to you.
A purley horizontal movement of the edge, will cut you!
I maintain while learning, stay conscious of moving the blade edge forward at the same time, keep the emphasis forward to stay safe, stay light and keep the blade shallow to the skin without tugging (the whiskers will cut easily). Also keep the skin stretched and use short strokes, I use allum on my finger tips which helps to grip the wet skin and tilt my head when working the neck area.
Go easy and stay safe.
Deckard:tameshigiri:
I've been mastering the scything stoke for the last couple of weeks. I've included it into my passes since starting only a month ago. Today, I think I performed the best scything stoke of my life, both sides of the neck. The blade just glided, little pressure, and boy, what a wonderful result. I actually think its easier to perform than a traditional N-S pass, and seems more effective IMO
I'm definitely going to keep using this. Rain, hail, or slice.... :beer1: