Thread: How to Scythe?

I read the wiki and looked at the GIF but I'm still confused.

To preform a scythe motion do you lead with the heel or the tip? You pivot the blade to make the cutting action right? Please tell me there's a video that shows this!

The GIF in the wiki looked like the Guillotine motion, so I guess I'm really lost.

This is an awkward topic for me. If you peruse THIS thread you will learn more about it.

In my opinion, what most are considering to be a scything stroke, with a windshield wiper motion, is not an effective cutting stroke in comparison to what the barber manuals call a scything stroke but what the Wiki calls a guillotine stroke. It is the guillotine stroke that you want to use to get the best cutting stroke. You can lead with either the heel or the toe. I prefer the toe.

Others will disagree.

Originally Posted by Utopian

It is the guillotine stroke that you want to use to get the best cutting stroke. You can lead with either the heel or the toe. I prefer the toe.

+1 ..... the guillotine is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Utopian

This is an awkward topic for me. If you peruse THIS thread you will learn more about it.

In my opinion, what most are considering to be a scything stroke, with a windshield wiper motion, is not an effective cutting stroke in comparison to what the barber manuals call a scything stroke but what the Wiki calls a guillotine stroke. It is the guillotine stroke that you want to use to get the best cutting stroke. You can lead with either the heel or the toe. I prefer the toe.

Others will disagree.

There is no way I am going to let myself get sucked into this Vietnam again.

Whatever Utopian says is Ok with me. He is the only person I know that has actually ever used a scythe.

Edit: and Utopian and Jimmy are right - however you want to call it, the guillotine cut is what you want to use. It takes less effort and cuts whiskers better and more efficiently. But it is a somewhat trickier stroke to master - be careful when first starting out.

Hey, when I wrote "others will disagree" I wasn't just thinking of you!

For the OP, if you read that linked thread, I think you will get a better sense of either stroke and it really doesn't matter what you call it.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Hey, when I wrote "others will disagree" I wasn't just thinking of you!

For the OP, if you read that linked thread, I think you will get a better sense of either stroke and it really doesn't matter what you call it.

Yes - I am egotistical that way - and offended!

Originally Posted by Utopian

it really doesn't matter what you call it.

What's in a name? that which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet. Shakespeare .... not me.

From personal experience here. A word of caution about scything. How you hone a razor will determine just how difficult and messy () this endeavor is. I use to use diamond pastes and, although very sharp and polished, diamond edges tend to be a little harsh...meaning that the edge is a little "toothy" and will slice you in a heartbeat. Good for straight on cutting but a little bit if a problem if you are scything. A very nicely honed razor off a J-Nat or off Chromium paste will lessen the problems. Just go very light so if you make a mistake you will probably just take the top layer off!

Take Care,
Richard

I agree with you guys as well, I don't know why I'm typing this, other than I just got up, and my mind is working fully...

If your new, I wouldn't recommend attempting this manuver. This hobby is difficult enough, proper angle, etc... A move like this performed incorrectly could lead to some major cuts....Learn your face, get comfortable with the razor, Learn how to build lather...Getting proficient with the blade will come in time naturally....

Scything, in my experience, helps me to get BBS shaves, and helps to preserve the sharpness of my edges. With that said, it can be dangerous, if uneven pressure on the blade is applied during the scything stroke! Whichever end you lead with, the part of the blade with heavier pressure will sink effortlessly right down into your face. How do I know this?...
The red rune of incorrect shaving has often been inscribed on my cringing face.