Thread: Shaving Thought Experiment

well for these circumstances I'm assuming that A) the blade doesn't dull because of beard type and B) let's also assume that they have identical faces to remove that variable.

My thought was, if all other variables are EXACTLY the same, what role does hair type play in shaving. All those other details are more or less irrelevant and not designed to be patently realistic.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

B) let's also assume that they have identical faces to remove that variable.

I guess just to clarify, my point is that perfect technique will be different for different beards. The perfect technique is the combination of a perfect selection from among a widely varied perfect set of perfect tactical and strategic shaving maneuvers and implimentations and a perfect application of that perfect selection for that beard, but it is not the sum total of that perfect set

In other words, the perfect shaver has adjusted his or her technique in such a way that he (or she?) shaves through the beard with perfect ease and comfort regardless of the beard. For example, there are differences in my own beard between cheek whiskers, moustache whiskers, neck whiskers, and jawline whiskers. The individual hairs vary in thickness, stiffness, the angle at which the grow out of the skin, proximity to other hairs, the direction which they grow out of the skin, and even cross-sectional shape. I don't necessarily need to analyze each of these variables in order to most effectively shave them, but by much practice in feel, and trial and error, I can adapt my manipulation of the razor to efficiently meet the demands of whatever whisker is in front of it. Sometimes it is as simple as changing the direction I shave with the razor, but sometimes it means changing stroke length, angle of the blade, firmness of grip, related angle of razor's edge to direction of the stroke, and other hard-to-define subtle differences that come with practice

I hope a barber can jump in and shed light on how he or she actually adjusts to different beard types

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I guess just to clarify, my point is that perfect technique will be different for different beards. The perfect technique is the combination of a perfect selection from among a widely varied perfect set of perfect tactical and strategic shaving maneuvers and implimentations and a perfect application of that perfect selection for that beard, but it is not the sum total of that perfect set

In other words, the perfect shaver has adjusted his or her technique in such a way that he (or she?) shaves through the beard with perfect ease and comfort regardless of the beard. For example, there are differences in my own beard between cheek whiskers, moustache whiskers, neck whiskers, and jawline whiskers. The individual hairs vary in thickness, stiffness, the angle at which the grow out of the skin, proximity to other hairs, the direction which they grow out of the skin, and even cross-sectional shape. I don't necessarily need to analyze each of these variables in order to most effectively shave them, but by much practice in feel, and trial and error, I can adapt my manipulation of the razor to efficiently meet the demands of whatever whisker is in front of it. Sometimes it is as simple as changing the direction I shave with the razor, but sometimes it means changing stroke length, angle of the blade, firmness of grip, related angle of razor's edge to direction of the stroke, and other hard-to-define subtle differences that come with practice

I hope a barber can jump in and shed light on how he or she actually adjusts to different beard types

That's what I mean. When I said they have perfect technique it was implied that it is relative to the individual shaver. It doesn't matter what the technique is exactly, just that each man has a perfect blade and what would be considered perfect technique for their own face.

The variables of the shave are irrelevent. It is assumed that each man is an optimal shaver with an optimal blade...what that means for each man in terms of the actual details of how they do it doesn't matter at all. Those details aren't meant to be thought about for this.

What you should consider is merely the stiffness, or the size, or the concentration/general thickness of the beard. My own thought is that all other things being equal and optimal, there should be absolutely no difference between a thick/strong hair and a thin/weak one.

Of course, this experiment is completely impossible in physical terms, so keep that in mind. It's 100% hypothetical.

I think, if each has perfected their technique and their razor is proper sharp the whiskers will come off equally in both cases.

Cutting is a function of pressure per square inch (PSI). A thicker beard (both density of hair and thickness of hair) will create a greater functional surface area. The larger surface area results in a lower psi...and more work required to achieve the cutting.

Alternatively, you can think of cutting hair as breaking the chemical structure/bonds of the hair. Like all good demolition projects, that requires a certain amount of energy. The more hair (thickness of individual hairs and overall number of hairs), the more energy required.

Taking your thought experiment to the illogical extremes, if one's beard consisted of a single infinitely thin whisker...wel,l you wouldn't even need a razor. The opposite extreme would be whiskers so thick and dense that they would tower like Sequoias. Can you envision the razor and work crew required to cut down a Sequoia-sized whisker?

Fun question to contemplate over coffee....maybe I had too much coffee....