Thread: Technique, technique, technique

Originally Posted by Feng_Li

Learning? Practice? Sounds like tedium to me. Spending money is ever so much more fun.

Considering how hard I had to work for money before I got laid of from Ford, I'd say I look at spending as more painful than fun.

Warning: ramble ahead!!

I'm starting to wonder if we can get a bit hung up on going WTG, XTG or ATG. Also the notion of what is a pass.

Recently I've been experimenting with trying ATG (with a little XTG) shaving only.

Reading the discussion here has got me re-focussing on my technique again and has really helped.
- I've lightened the pressure even more
- I've given more attention to how I was scything (I had actually strarted to curve my stroke... and (in)effectively doing a regular head on chopping cut)
- I've also given more attention to my stropping again - lighter and better

All of this has really improved my shave.

In the process I've also started to think of what has been said here
- BBS shaves WTG only, using good technique.

I've also thought about what I am actually doing - sometimes I am going ATG, sometimes XTG, sometimes I'm not quite sure.

In the end - maybe it doesn't bear thinking about too much. Maybe it is about discovering what works. If I can do it comfortably and efficiently, that's what matters.

My current shaving goal - working on most efficient and comfortable way to shave. (The closest analogy I can think of is doing a maze or drawing where you don't lift the pen until you are finished and don't cross any place twice... if that makes sense!?)
This does currently involve ATG/XTG shaving with scything... but if the shaving path involves some other direction I'm not really fussed.

Anyway - I find this approach relaxing and somewhat meditative.

Here endeth the ramble (I did warn you ok!!!)
All the best,
Michael

I agree with that 100%
I seldom go against the grain since it seems to shave too close for my skin type and ends up giving me ingrown hairs, but as far as WTG/XTG i really pay no attention.

I do not have the mirror time that Mark has. All I got is nearly 1 week growth.

I know the razors I have are not in single pass condition; and certainly, sadly not in daily_ish use for the 1 year without abrasive treatments.

I'd like to try for a fresh start. A careful rehoning, much needed face washing, and see what happens with water shave.

On the plus side this thread has many members reconsidering their technique. Looking at ways to get a better shave is always a good thing, right?

Unfortunately I think many members may be getting the wrong idea here. Whether or not I personally agree with him, I don't think Mark's (aka JMS) main point was to say that the ability to shave with water only is the ultimate litmus test for shaving ability. It seems that guys are starting to think that their technique sucks if they can't eck out a great shave with no lather. Now many are thinking that they have to test themselves with a water-only shave.

Although Mark may have eluded to this he never said point blank that everyone should be able to accomplish this. I know that I can't; it has nothing to do with my technique, but rather my skin type. And in his defense he never told me otherwise. He can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the original intent of this thread is to point out that proper technique can reduce the amount of pomp & circumstance (aka shaving rituals) that we have come to love yet have taken for granted as neccesity. I know I could cut down on my prep. But would I want to? Nope.

Take care,

Ryan

Originally Posted by kevint

I do not have the mirror time that Mark has. All I got is nearly 1 week growth.

I know the razors I have are not in single pass condition; and certainly, sadly not in daily_ish use for the 1 year without abrasive treatments.

I'd like to try for a fresh start. A careful rehoning, much needed face washing, and see what happens with water shave.

Good luck and don't go too quick. keep it slow and easy

Originally Posted by Ryan82

On the plus side this thread has many members reconsidering their technique. Looking at ways to get a better shave is always a good thing, right?

This was my main intention

Unfortunately I think many members may be getting the wrong idea here. Whether or not I personally agree with him, I don't think Mark's (aka JMS) main point was to say that the ability to shave with water only is the ultimate litmus test for shaving ability. It seems that guys are starting to think that their technique sucks if they can't eck out a great shave with no lather. Now many are thinking that they have to test themselves with a water-only shave.

I have yet to hear this from any member who posted on this thread.

Although Mark may have eluded to this he never said point blank that everyone should be able to accomplish this. I know that I can't; it has nothing to do with my technique, but rather my skin type. And in his defense he never told me otherwise.

You may very well be the exception and not the rule Ryan. Keep in mind, this thread was mainly directed towards the more experienced among us who have an idea of their limitations and abilities and only towards newbies as a future possibility and not an immediate goal

He can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the original intent of this thread is to point out that proper technique can reduce the amount of pomp & circumstance (aka shaving rituals) that we have come to love yet have taken for granted as neccesity. I know I could cut down on my prep. But would I want to? Nope.

This is partially correct but I truly believe that the majority of shavers can eventually accomplish a very successful "water shave" only, not that I am advocating that we only use the minimal amount of prep needed, I am only saying that a "water shave" only will tend to highlight our poor technique

Take care,

Ryan

Have you tried it yet Ryan?
Don't assume it is impossible for you. Have you been shaving for many years? Your skin may be the problem but so could lack of experience. You wont know this for sure for many years but I wouldn't continue trying to shave "water only" if my skin continued to get irritated. seems common sense to me.

Last friday i tried Marks water only shave with my own variation. I tried it right after 95C (203F) sauna. After such heat treatment all hairs are very soft and the skin is already wet after sweating hard. It was a good shave on my cheeks but had to splash some water on my neck before razor moved smoothly. I think it is a matter of practice.
Usually i always shave after sauna for the reasons i just stated but this far i've used lather. I think i could do both ways, but without lather only after sauna.

I've been thinking this idea for few years now but haven't tried this far. Most people at my work usually shave with their disposables in sauna, in the heat. Using straight razor there is a no no, as i need mirror for shaving and mirrors wont work in sauna where heat and humidity are very high.

On Sunday, at last, I made my shave. Not doing what I said; attempt to get a 1pass edge. Instead i chose one from the box that had not been used in several months. It had been stropped when stowed away so after my shower, I opened it up and went to work.

On the cheek it was really quite easy; sometimes me jowls fool me into believing my blade edge really is beam of pure light obliterating the darkness of beardyness. Below the bottom lip are my most resistant and a place I find difficult to scythe. my mustache can be another tough spot, but the 9/16 made it easy to angle across. Which really showed the advantage of a good scythe motion

I needed 3 passes really. And more goin' over than I typically invest in. I also noticed substantial exfoliation which was pretty interesting to observe.

It was not a triumph, neither was it defeating. Writing now, I wish I had resharpened. It was quite the average, upon my plateau kinda shave, other than the volume of material removed.

I have tried water only previously with varied results. I would estimate a fair amount of success lies in waiting for 3+ days without shaving. I have largely forgotten what irritation feels like. But after shaving daily for a long stretch; water only, as I recall, was no pleasure. Tonight I may go for a super edge and see if that stands.

Even though I went over and over my face with the imp, and could see dead skin building up after the hair was gone, so I did some more; Bay Rum afterward deserves no special mention of burning.

I've been wet-shaving for my entire adult life, and now, in my mid-60s, I enjoy the ritual of shaving more than ever. I enjoy having a variety of shaving soaps and creams, and enjoy shaving with a good, hot lather, so I'll forego the water-only approach. My honing, stropping, and shaving techniques may well be lacking, but they work well enough for me. I enjoy my morning shave immensely -- it's the highlight of my day. And, ultimately, isn't that what it's all about -- just enjoying the Zen of the experience?