Off form shaving

[mars]

From my understanding, Charles is adamantly opposed to shaving "off-form," which according to him is either shaving S-N or away from the center line. I understand the notion of gradual beard reduction (which is not unique to Method Shaving), but I don't understand why these passes are forbidden. It seems to me that if the beard is properly hydrated one should be able to shave in any direction without irritation (given he has mastered blade angle and pressure).

My questions for Method Shavers:

a) Does anyone undertand the philosophy of why off-form shaving is forbidden, and
b) Do you shave off form or stick to Charles' rules?

Thanks

[Aquanin]

I don't think he opposes off-form shaving. He has told me a couple of times to try a few different strokes. And on the finishing phase you can pretty much do what you want to get that last bit of stubble.

[Brad]

Finishing pass can be S-N or just about whatever else you need. Charles' point with me when I started was that it was not necessary, not forbidden. For the most part, I agree with him, but if you have to get those stray hairs, it usually takes some S-N.

I don't really follow the forms as much anymore, as they are really meant to get beginning shavers a routine to follow. As I progressed, I found soem things that wokred better than others. The basic concepts of progressive reduction and mix velocity seem to be more important than religiously following the forms.

Brad

[msandoval858]

"given he has mastered blade angle and pressure"

That is the exact statement right there that sums it up. Charles is very against this when he's teaching a new shaver how to properly wield a DE but for those who know what they are doing, there is nothing wrong with it. I brought this up to him over a year ago and he agreed. The original "3x forms" he developed are a guide for proper shaving, not the only way to do it obviously.