Thread: Thumb on blade????

Originally Posted by custommartini

Hey Steve, i had run into that article a few days ago myself and wondered the same thing. I'm glad that you started the thread, you help to answer a question I had as well.

Thanks Brendon, I'm glad it helped answer a question:

I go by a very simple philosophy: I've never had an original thought, so if I've got a question, someone else must also.

I also agree that there is a lot of junk on the internet and discernment is an absolute must. That's why I'm so grateful for SRP, it's a place of tremendous collective knowledge that we can tap to help us discern junk from good.

It was definately a good thread to start. I think I might have confused the issue by offering an (uninformed) guess.

Anyhoo, I went home and tried to hold a razor that way - no go! My hands and fingers were too big (or I was too uncoordinated, or both) to get anything but my thumb tip close to the blade - I just couldn't get any control at all. Needless to say I didn't put the razor anywhere near my face in that condition!

James.

Of course there are two issues here to consider. Just think about the first time you held a straight in your hand. Did the feeling really inspire confidence or were you at least a little nervous putting that blade near you face. Maybe if you started with the thumb on the blade it might become just another 2nd nature thing. I don't know.
Another issue is as has been said shaving another person is very different than shaving yourself and in that case it may make more sense also. I don't know about that either.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks and I'm sticking to what I've been doing arf, arf.

The instructions on my site are accurate. I execute nearly a thousand shaves a year in my shop. And dare say the site is quite credible. If you have questions ask. most likely you'll get an answer not just a response. A straight razor is a tool and can be dangerous if mishandled wil using it, so use care when doing so!
Best Regards
The Barber…

Okay;

This technique seems like it wuld be more effective sahving oters rather than shaving yourself, where I imagine that a variety of different grips will serve most men better. What differences do you experience between shaving yourself and shaving customers?

X

P.S. Finally, a barber on the site.

Originally Posted by The_CityBarber

The instructions on my site are accurate. I execute nearly a thousand shaves a year in my shop. And dare say the site is quite credible. If you have questions ask. most likely you'll get an answer not just a response. A straight razor is a tool and can be dangerous if mishandled wil using it, so use care when doing so!
Best Regards
The Barber…

Welcome Mr. Barber!!

That site is full of informaton I would love to dispute . . .

unfortunately I tried everything on there and it all works very well.

There is a lot of controversial info on the site, the thumb position is mild compared to some of the other stuff on there. I found the thumb position easy to use but not really any better than an ordinary position. I would assume that someone without experience would find that thumb position somewhat helpful in ensuring good angle and blade depth.

Its the taughtness of the strop and the leather then linen that had me intrigued.

Again, it all works really well and seemed like great advice. But thats just me, what do I know?

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!