Thread: I got bit tonight

I'm a little over two months into shaving with a straight. I have to say up to this point it really has been smooth sailing for me. I consistently have been getting what I consider perfect bbs shaves, little to no irritation, very few tiny nics which most were from shaving a small pimple but definitely nothing serious. I think it's safe to say I'm pretty comfortable wielding my beauties, even shaving my fiances legs once a week.

Well tonight I got not one but two fine slices, one on each cheek. I thought I'd experiment with my stroke and tried the scythe motion which obviously was a bad idea. Initially I thought I was doing fine but at the end of my second stroke I felt a weird almost dragging sensation which quickly became apparent to be about a 1 1/2 inch slice at the bottom of my cheek. Not even the stypic pencil wanted to stop this one. After about a minute of wiping and going back over it with the pencil it finally quit. So I resumed shaving. Then like an idiot tried it once again on my other cheek, you know since the first one turned out so lovely. I'm sure you can guess what happened next.

So now I have two nice little reminders not to get to confident in my abilities and to respect just how sharp these fine instruments are. I'm just curious, for any one who has been successful using this method, where do you think I went wrong? I think that maybe I should have been lifting the blade prior to the end of the pass and I don't think I was doing this. Not that I'm in a hurry to try it again, just wondering.

Ouch! I've been shaving with a straight for about six months now, getting great shaves without attempting a "scything" motion. I wasn't feeling the need to try it before, but after your post, I'm even less likely to give it a try. Here's hoping you heal quickly, and whatever you do, don't shave again until those cuts heal up.

I have found that, when attempting the scything stroke, stretching is your friend and pressure is your enemy.
The first time I used the scything stroke my result was the same as yours (albeit with less blood).
I then analysed what had happened and varied my technique accordingly.
I still use this stroke on particularly difficult areas of my face, however, I pay more attention than usual to the stretching and pressure - and I make sure there is a thick layer of lather on that part, too

Like Havachat, I've found that stretching is your friend, too.

My downfall is the toe of the razor. I have to be very very careful to place the blade flat on my face; if I ever let the toe touch first, I'm going to cut myself.

So far the worst cut I've ever made was with a square-tipped blade. I knew when I did it it was my bad technique.

I bring this up because I've had to start using more advanced techniques to reduce my beard more. I have used the scything motion, but only on my sideburns, and the motions are very, very small. I use very, very light pressure.

On my chin and under my neck I have found using the Guillotine style of cutting has been very successful for me up to this point. The biggest offset I have done is about 30 degrees. It seems to give my blade more of a slicing motion rather than trying to beat through some of those hairs.

Also, right now anytime I'm using the Guillotine style, the strokes are pretty short. When the blade stops on tough hairs, rather than push on through, I back up and try again or relather and come back to it on another pass. I also mostly avoid going towards the toe when doing this stroke, but when I'm brave I go for it; but I have never done that with a square tip. I'll have to get much better before I even attempt that.

I don't know if any of this will really help you. All I can say is I'm much more cautious when I use either of these methods and really respect that toe. I use very light pressure and watch my blade angles and keep well lathered. At the first sign of tugging, I stop (on any type of pass), check, and re-evaluate.

I tried advanced techniques where I didn't need them. I never went straight to the tough hairs where these would make a difference until I was comfortable. This is why I still only use the scything motion on my cheeks and sideburns; I can't use this one on my neck yet. I know you cut your cheek, so I assume you're being just as cautious (because you didn't mention cutting your neck).

I'd give it a few days or a week or so. You'll be up to trying again. It could be if you're already getting bbs shaves where you want them, you don't even need to consider advanced passes, anyway.

I think Slicing/Scything can be helpful for some people in some areas, but luckily I've never found a need for it.

I use the scything stroke all the time, and I mostly use spike point blades.
First time I tried it, I got cut. But never since then. I always use short strokes.
And no matter what else, always watch the tip of the blade. As soon as you focus on something else, the tip will give you a friendly little reminder that it needs your complete attention.

I have been using the scything stroke for awhile now with success. Just remember more down stroke than sideways stroke; or, start down before introducing a sideways component. A blade with a smile really helps with this technique.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Few things I've determined went wrong. First off I wasn't stretching as well both times I got cut, second I think was my choice of razor I used when attempting it wasn't necessarily the best one. I was using one of my square point friodurs.

I'm not sure that I will be attempting this again anytime soon. Like markdfhr said since I'm already getting great results there isn't much reason to be using advanced techniques. I guess I was just in the adventurous mood.

I do use the scything technique in my shaves. I too have been bit. I very rarely get bit anymore, tho. The best piece of advice I can give is remember the angles. In a regular stroke you are pushing the edge through the hairs, in a scything stroke you are in fact cutting them. Too steep an angle and the edge will also cut your skin. I think of it like a balancing act, you need to know just how much angle you can have before it cuts more than you intended.
I don't think you did anything wrong, except getting the angle slightly off. Too much cutting power on the edge.
The good news is, you will get it right. Oh, and superglue works wonders when the styptic fails.

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I have found that, when attempting the scything stroke, stretching is your friend and pressure is your enemy.

Best advice I have heard around here in a while. It does not matter which method you use, this is good.