Thread: Question about Scything...

So now that I am pretty confident with my blade angles and ZERO pressure technique (Alum hasn't even had a light sting for over a week now ) I am trying to add a scything motion to my normal shave routine as I read that this is easier on the blade

What I am doing is for now ONLY doing it with the WTG pass and only on the cheeks until I am comfortable with it,

How I am doing it is thus: as I bring the razor down in short strokes, I am "twisting" my wrist a bit so it almost pivots a little on the heel of the blade which I THINK is what I should be doing.... So far only 1 small nick when I accidentally went forward with the blade, but lucky realized it and pulled the blade away before I got cut badly (No blood whew...) The shave does feel a little bit smoother, but I am not sure....


Is how I am doing this correct? I've tried to read the Wiki and watch videos but they really aren't clear (to me) the exact motion..

Thanks

yea your doing it correct just keep your head in the game when doing this ive learnt the hard way not to look away from what you are doing when useing the described motions.

I think you'll get less benefit from scything on a WTG pass than you might from a XTG or an ATG pass. Personally, I never use this stroke intentionally and have never needed it. I tend to shave pretty quickly,
so scything would not be a good option for me. Also, I would choose strokes that get me a good shave
and not for the blade's longevity. That's why we have hones and strops.

To tell you the truth I never set out to actually do a scything motion it just sort of came by itself at some point. I could never actually tell you how to do it. I would have to really watch myself shave and that would be a mistake. In any event wtg is the only time I'd be using it.

I think sometimes folks fret about differing strokes and techniques and want to learn them all right away when in the end they just naturally happen as you get experience and confidence with the blade.

Originally Posted by ace

I think you'll get less benefit from scything on a WTG pass than you might from a XTG or an ATG pass.

Incorrect. Since the WTG is the "workhorse" pass you will actually get the most benefit from scything, shaving closer with minimal wear & tear on your razor. Scything is the most efficient shaving stroke, bar none.

Originally Posted by ace

Also, I would choose strokes that get me a good shave and not for the blade's longevity. That's why we have hones and strops.

Again, scything will do both. If you experiment (and I mean over the course of dozens of shaves with multiple razors) you will find that not only is this true, but edge longevity will increase almost exponentially. Yes, we have hones and strops and touch ups are easy to do, but when you think of wear/tear would you rather do 3 touch ups per year or 20?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

To tell you the truth I never set out to actually do a scything motion it just sort of came by itself at some point. I could never actually tell you how to do it. I would have to really watch myself shave and that would be a mistake. In any event wtg is the only time I'd be using it.

I think sometimes folks fret about differing strokes and techniques and want to learn them all right away when in the end they just naturally happen as you get experience and confidence with the blade.

I have to agree,its something thats hard to put into words,But Ill add this,when your doing it youll know,and I find that it works well on hard to get places.

I haven't done a lot of lately as I've been having some fun mucking about with a blade sampler for my DE but I find it an effective stroke around the Adam's apple and hollows of the neck.

M, You're shooting at the right target. Keep it up.

Thanks guys,

The adams apple I can get, it's the neck hollows that still give me a lot of trouble....

After reading this thread and observing myself shave this morning, I do a lot of scything all the time, not even thinking about it...