Thread: technique/stroke pattern?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

You have to do what is comfortable for you, but in the end you'll likely find the scything and guillotine strokes to be the most beneficial, regardless of the type of pass.

+1
with one addition.
Use short strokes. Keep it simple...

It's all good advice, especially the short strokes. Because it's hard to grip soapy skin for a good stretch, I've gotten into doing my neck first, from the bottom up. That way I can stretch from the upper chest, then after doing the lowest 2" (or 5 cm) of neck I can grip from that shaved section and do neck to jawline. That leaves lather on my stubblier face more time to do its thing, and allows me to do the most technically demanding bit (my Adam's apple) first. Upon moving up to the face, I'll start with my mustache and about a blade's width around my lower lip, since those are the next most demanding areas and I can get the stretch I need by making really funny faces. Then sideburns and cheeks, for a little break before my chin requires closer attention again.

This is what's evolved for me, as the best balance (so far) between grain direction and stretching points.

Now that summer is upon us (a little over 80 degF today in western Colorado), I'm just doing a single pass. If I do a second ATG pass, I use the same order and general paths, but reverse the shave directions.

Best wishes!