Thread: To Scythe or not to scythe...

Can you get BBS with one pass WTG scything motion? My Mentors Sham and Kelly have guided me in this direction. So I have been pursuing WTG single pass shaves. Using the correct, properly honed razor AND technique, it can be done. I have found that a razor with some curvature, (smile) works the best to perform the scythe motion. At least for me. I currently only have two razors that fit that description a vintage Joseph Rogers with a huge smile and an Alex Jacques custom with a smile.
I have tried the scything motion with straight edge razors such as a Dovo SS, Diamond Hayashi, Kabeso spike, Japanese western and kamisori style (Iwasaki, Kanatake and Tosuke, the PURIST..love it ) even a Le Jaguar recently acquired and have noticed that the straighter the edge of the blade, the less of a scythe motion could be attained. You can make the scythe motion however without the curvature (smile) of the blade you are not quite getting the slice effect against the whisker.
This has been my experience and I am not trying to speak for anyone else. There are variables involved. I have noticed I can not maintain the same consistent hold on the left side of my cheek as I can on the right side. Some guys prefer to become ambidextrous at this point, is that totally necessary? This is where my nicks have occurred performing the scythe motion. On the left cheek jaw line WTG.
I still go back and shave ATG to get that luxurious BBS feeling. Wouldn’t it be great to get that with a one pass WTG? More experience and practice is required, let me check my calendar, yes I have the time. I am trying to talk myself into another one of Phiadelph’s big smileys. Poppa needs a brand new blade. What are some other views regarding the scything motion? How about the guillotine motion?

In SRP Wiki section:
The scything motion


The easiest way to move a razor over the skin, is to guide it in a direction, perpendicular to the edge. As a result the razor “chops” the hairs, much like an axe chops a young branch off a tree, with one blow. Out of a physical viewpoint this way of severing something requires the most force and is the hardest on the cutting edge. By adding a slight slicing motion to the blade, the cutting action becomes more effective. For ages, farmers have been harvesting wheat with this very effective style of cutting with a tool called scythe. Adding a little scything style to the razor will allow a smoother cut, helps the longevity of the edge, prevents pull, helps to prevent the blade form being stopped by stubborn whiskers, and might do more for your shaves’ closeness than boosting the actual keenness of the blade. A word of caution. Scything in combination with a too steep cutting angle, is a perfect recipe for slicing into the skin. It takes only the least bit of sideways motion to lend scything its effectiveness.