Thread: Short Stroke vs. Long Stroke Technique

This is a testament to constantly trying new and different things.

I always shaved with a long stroke technique. I would start the stroke and not lift the blade until I ran out of face in that stroke path. I think I did it mostly because I felt that my control over the razor and following the contours of my face was good enough that I stuck with it.

Several weeks ago mattluthier was over my house and we were discussing techniques and using the short stroke technique - especially a rapid short stroke technique for extra-hollow ground blades. This is the short rapid overlapping stroke technique. I became intrigued by it and started a plan to try it.

So I decided to try it and here are the results for me:
1. My shaves are even closer than with the long stroke technique
2. My shaves are much more consistent from shave to shave
3. It was easier for me to use lighter pressure because I am not trying to maintain the contact of the razor to the skin over all of the changing facial contours.
3. Amazingly, my shaves are much more consistent from razor to razor. This really floored me until I thought about it. It has to be a pretty special razor to have a long stroke give you a very close and consistent whisker removal from the start to the end of the stroke over all of the contours. Only my Filarmonicas did this. However, my razors that give a good but not great shave are delivering the same very close and consistent shave as my Filarmonicas - not just some of them, but all of them. This is because the short stroke lets me overlap the strokes with light pressure and I only have to hold to small contours at a time.

So, I can't say everybody's experience will be like mine - and I'm sure many of the veterans probably already know what I found out. But what is important is to keep an open mind and experiment - even if you think it can't get any better because it just might.

In my limited, perfectionist experience, I find the long stroke works well for reducing the longer growth. But to get into the contours and pick out each whisker that may still be above the skin, I use repeated short strokes. First with a shallow angle then increasing the angle in subsequent strokes until I feel/hear no more whiskers.

Originally Posted by Alembic

This is a testament to constantly trying new and different things.

But what is important is to keep an open mind and experiment - even if you think it can't get any better because it just might.

+1 Not only true about shaving, but equally applicable to our experience of life. Well said, my friend!!

Congratulations. You have learned how to shave!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Congratulations. You have learned how to shave!

I was wondering when that was going to happen, seeing as how it only took 2 years and about $5,000!

I usually use the long stroke where it will work (jawline from ear to chin) and short strokes for the more contoured areas, but if I want the closest shave, short strokes are better. But I have to admit I like the efficiency of a long stroke, it demands skill, control of the blade and knowledge of the contours of your face.

Basically, it's "really cool" to be able to take those long strokes, but the reality is that the shorter ones are more effective.

I think I like that I can do both. As I was saying, it takes a lot of control and knowledge of your face to do those long strokes.

I should have mentioned this, but I have dropped the WTG pass altogether unless I have 3+ days of growth. I just do an XTG and an ATG pass.

I seem to still use both techniques. I use long strokes for the first pass, then use short strokes for the rest. I find I do the same thing with my DE razors, I think it's called blade buffing.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Basically, it's "really cool" to be able to take those long strokes, but the reality is that the shorter ones are more effective.

Yes, I am "really cool", I know that but I thank you Ron just the same for letting everyone else know. LOL