Diagonal Strokes?

[nmerth]

So I was looking at razors on the Evil Bay. One had a photo of the instructions. This depicted a Diagonal Stroke!!? Gillette Instructions. Now of course I can't find it to post in the thread. But It said for More efficient and smoother shave use a Diagonal stroke? This seems Dangerous to me.... I never Saw MANTIC do this! lol. Any thoughts from the pros and not so Pros alike?

 

[Isaac]

Mantic actually does demonstrate that type of stroke in one of his videos. He calls it the Gillette Slide.

 

[40_Caliber]

I wonder if the instructions are talking about the "Gillette Slide" technique?

.40

 

[nmerth]

I wonder if the instructions are talking about the "Gillette Slide" technique?

.40

This to me seems like it is just begging to get sliced? Or is this just newbie Jitters?

 

[40_Caliber]

It's a razor. It cuts things for a living! Exercise Caution but there is no need to be jittery.

 

[Isaac]

BTW...this is called Scything with straight razors.

 

[salisburyyates]

Check out charles roberts video, and tell me what you think about how he shaves

 

[RichGem]

+1 about mantic vids & gillette slide.

It's somewhat similar to the path the blade takes when shaving with a slant. yes you gotta be careful. side-to-side slip = slice. diagonal motion = ok.

 

[kingfisher]

I've seen this stroke recommended in every single Gillette instruction paper ever published, but I'm not sure what they're suggesting is being appropriately interpreted.

Mantic, when he explains the "Gillette slide" keeps the head of the razor parallel to the floor and then moves the razor on a diagonal.

But maybe what Gillette was trying to suggest was to move the razor in a diagonal motion but to keep the razor perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. This would certainly be a safer option, and would mean that, in essence, what Gillette was recommending was that even the first pass should be somewhat XTG rather than straight WTG if you really want to mow down any whiskers.

 

[Bertilak]

But maybe what Gillette was trying to suggest was to move the razor in a diagonal motion but to keep the razor perpendicular to the direction of the stroke.

No.

The point is to get some slicing motion.

 

[kingfisher]

You're probably right, Robert.

I just went back to mr razor's site and looked at the illustrations and it definitely looks like they want you to keep the razor head parallel to the floor.

Newbies beware.

 

[nmerth]

Wow guys! Thanks! I'm glad to have started such an informative thread! I may try a Slide or two tomorrow lol...maybe I should post a before and after pic of my Styptic pencil! lol

 

[ambrose]

I use that guillotine stoke all the time with my straights. Now thats scary haha

 

[wayhow]

With the diagonal you are slicing more and chopping less. No danger with it but a much more efficient shave, particularly if you use the diagonal approach with each and every stroke. Yes, even XTG and ATG.
Wayne

 

[Crazy Dave]

There are parts of my neck that I have to use a diagonal stroke to get smooth. I use both upward and downward diagonal strokes and I don't keep the head parallel. Hey, it works for me!

Dave

 

[mdunn]

so long as youre moving more downwards that sideways its fine. It pretty much does what a slant does

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Tried short (not ear to chin) diagonal strokes after reading this.... one of the best shaves ive ever had if not the best. Just pay attention and there should be no problem.

 

[Hansel]

Check out charles roberts video, and tell me what you think about how he shaves

Like he's hacking at jungle brush with a machete...

 

[salisburyyates]

Like he's hacking at jungle brush with a machete...

"Like", definitely.

I am amazed how violent it looks, but he obviously used little to no pressure. If he were actually hacking he would have had many many cuts.

Awesome technique.

 

[simonc]

this is interesting, as a noob & in the process of developing a technique that works for me - I've used this method for the past month or so - with terrific results, especially around my jawline area.
Its just something that I have found works, didnt know it was a technique that was out there already....
thing is though, it provides such a smooth shave (for me ymmv) that I've gotten slack with my caution - & Ive cut myself 3 times, nothing nasty mind you - just a wake up call to not be complacent