Thread: Scything motion

I think here may be where the ladies have an advantage - we have enough distance from what we're shaving to afford a little more control.

I've been doing what I believe to be a scything motion since my second shave. I have spots where the hair grows in funny directions,and it's impossible to go straight sideways on something like your leg - you'll wind up burying the heel directly into your calf. The only way to go ATG in those spots in with a scything motion.

I generally flatten the blade even further, and put one finger on the spine, to sort of "scoot" the blade along.

Originally Posted by MistressNomad

I think here may be where the ladies have an advantage - we have enough distance from what we're shaving to afford a little more control.

I've been doing what I believe to be a scything motion since my second shave. I have spots where the hair grows in funny directions,and it's impossible to go straight sideways on something like your leg - you'll wind up burying the heel directly into your calf. The only way to go ATG in those spots in with a scything motion.

I generally flatten the blade even further, and put one finger on the spine, to sort of "scoot" the blade along.

I saw an old Western movie where a lovely lady was shaving her legs, in a bathtub, with a straight razor. Very interesting.

I have only shaved three times now but I actually preffer the scything motion over anythign else. I have a deep passion for sharp things and an utmost respect for them as well. Perhaps I'm somehow higher on the learning curve than most beginners but it all relates to the level of confidence you have.

Originally Posted by dancraig

I saw an old Western movie where a lovely lady was shaving her legs, in a bathtub, with a straight razor. Very interesting.

i know a girl that can do that and shes only 18

Originally Posted by ShawnWmDavis

i know a girl that can do that and shes only 18

It'd be awesome to straight shave in a bathtub. So relaxing! I don't have a tub here, but someday, I'm going to try this.

id imagine it would be but i couldnt imagine how smooth it would be my best guess would be like waxing??

Originally Posted by MistressNomad

It'd be awesome to straight shave in a bathtub. So relaxing! I don't have a tub here, but someday, I'm going to try this.

I'm thinking the old movie I saw was not historically accurate. I don't think women even shaved their legs in the old western days of straight razors.
Oh well, it was an interesting image anyway.

For me, after I had become comfortable using the razor I realised I needed to learn the advanced strokes in order to improve the shave. It seemed difficult to do just a bit here or there so I used only one particular technique for the whole shave - and did that for about 4 shaves and when I felt like I could easily shave my whole face with one kind of stroke I moved on to the next one.
After you've learned them all you'll find yourself naturally using the best one because you learn different styles get better results in different places more easily than others.

Remember, relaxed hand, good prep, and let the razor do the cutting.

Originally Posted by dancraig

I'm thinking the old movie I saw was not historically accurate. I don't think women even shaved their legs in the old western days of straight razors.
Oh well, it was an interesting image anyway.

It wasn't that one with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, was it?