A Thought Experiment On No Pressure

[The Don]

My apologies in advance for the length, and my appreciation to those who take the time to read.

So I see the recurring themes of prep/angle/pressure, and I'm thinking of ways I can improve on them. The goal is consistency in all three areas, right? Well i started thinking specifically about pressure, and I started to recall my beginnings as a golfer. When working on a particular swing flaw (of which there are still plenty), my coach would have me work on particular drills that would give physical feedback when something was done correctly or incorrectly.

Now we can all agree that a burger face is an easy indicator of excessive pressure, but I'm wondering if there's a way to give myself feedback while actually shaving (because I suspect that many of us rookies don't realize we're applying too much pressure until it's too late). Typically when I hold the razor, it sits like a dart in my hand (so my pointer finger really doesn't do much). So what if I try to place my pointer just near the razor handle such that if I apply any pressure during the stroke, it will touch the handle (thus an immediate alert to back off)? Am I over thinking this?

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Hello Neighbor

(Wheaton reporting in here)

I have been at this DE thing for one month and now use a variety of seven different ones, SE too. I've never had a problem like you relate. I hold the handle between index and thumb and may balance it a bit with my pinky. Go WTG and then I go XTG / ATG combo. Do make sure the beard has soaked. I take the shower first and have found using COLD water to be best for me shaving. It tightens the skin and no more weepers like I had on occasion before. Plenty of lather and do it in phases. Relax and listen to know the best angle. Don't stare into the mirror trying to figure it out, just listen and you can tell.

[dpm802]

Am I over thinking this?Yes, you're overthinking this ... but that's not uncommon when you're learning a new skill. After a couple dozen shaves, it will seem like second nature.

Try THE BALANCE POINT METHOD (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/User:Dpm802) of holding your razor. Let the WEIGHT OF THE RAZOR do the work. By using this technique, you automatically gain the zero-pressure without having to concentrate on it.

[Codfish]

Am I over thinking this?

I don't know. I do know that no pressure took me a while to learn. For what it's worth, I had to concentrate on learning that when I slowly brought my razor into contact with my face-->as soon as it touched my skin was all the pressure I needed. No more. Only enough pressure to safely shave a lathered party balloon.

Then, of course, I needed to learn the correct angle...:blink:

Codfish

[place]

I don't know. I do know that no pressure took me a while to learn. For what it's worth, I had to concentrate on learning that when I slowly brought my razor into contact with my face-->as soon as it touched my skin was all the pressure I needed. No more. Only enough pressure to safely shave a lathered party balloon.

Then, of course, I needed to learn the correct angle...:blink:

Codfish

correct angle is an important issue.

[bordeaaj]

Yes, you're overthinking this ... but that's not uncommon when you're learning a new skill. After a couple dozen shaves, it will seem like second nature.

Try THE BALANCE POINT METHOD (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/User:Dpm802) of holding your razor. Let the WEIGHT OF THE RAZOR do the work. By using this technique, you automatically gain the zero-pressure without having to concentrate on it.

+1 on the Balance Point Method! You are very right about new DE shavers applying pressure without realizing it. I recently helped a couple friends convert long distance and after a few weeks they were still having problems that sounded pressure related but both swore up and down they were applying no pressure. When I had finally had the chance to observe them individually, both had a wave-like ridge of skin bulging ahead of every razor stroke...they were applying significant pressure. Once they realized this they were able to lighten up to avoid the bulging wave and had much better results. The Balance Point Method helped them a lot. :001_smile

[The Don]

Thanks for the tips on the balance point method, gents!

[Go West Young Man]

Since you're a golfer, think of the advise we all give beginners - don't swing AT the ball, swing the club to gently brush the grass, and be pleasantly surprised to find a golf ball get in the way. Trying to HIT the ball - or worse, SCOOP it up - will only ruin your swing.

Same thing with a razor - gently glide it an atom's width above your skin, and be pleasantly surprised that hair is falling aside as you do so.

[Go West Young Man]

PS - you consider 9 lines a lengthy post? Stick around here a while, there are some guys who'll teach you what 'wordy' really means!

[sirslick]

Since you're a golfer, think of the advise we all give beginners - don't swing AT the ball, swing the club to gently brush the grass, and be pleasantly surprised to find a golf ball get in the way. Trying to HIT the ball - or worse, SCOOP it up - will only ruin your swing.

Same thing with a razor - gently glide it an atom's width above your skin, and be pleasantly surprised that hair is falling aside as you do so.


How do I measure an Atoms width ?? :lol: :lol: :001_rolle

[Go West Young Man]

How do I measure an Atoms width ?? :lol: :lol: :001_rolle


I'll accept anything up to a molecule.

[sirslick]

I'll accept anything up to a molecule.


Jeez you're a hard man to please...ok I'll get the verniers out ! :w00t:

[SiBurning]

How do I measure an Atoms width ?? :lol: :lol: :001_rolle
With an atomic ruler?
Watch the entire movie (http://www.archive.org/details/AtomicRulersOfTheWorld) on archive.org.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/Atomic_Rulers_of_the_World.jpg

[BlackBard]

How do I measure an Atoms width ?? :lol: :lol: :001_rolle

I compare it with my Atoms' Apple.

[Pkrankow]

Angle is more dangerous than pressure.

Your skin is a good pressure gauge as it is like a very soft balloon. If you are indenting your skin you are applying excessive pressure.

Phil

[sirslick]

Angle is more dangerous than pressure.

Your skin is a good pressure gauge as it is like a very soft balloon. If you are indenting your skin you are applying excessive pressure.

Phil


Hence the Atoms width.....:001_tongu

[shrubble]

Two thoughts on Pressure:

1) I have observed on more that a few occasions, that the design of my chosen razor (Merkur 180 - long-handled DE) is such that when I do apply pressure, the razor ceases to function. In other words, the "safety" part of the safety razor comes into play, and I find that I am pushing the comb and smooth domed-shaped piece on the top (what's that called anyway?) into my face, which has the effect of mashing my facial hairs down, leaving them uncut... or mostly uncut. When this happens it feels like I am rubbing smooth metal on my face (which I am), and this lets me know, as lolcat would say,"HAI, yer doin' it wrong!" Strangley, this does not cut my face.

2) The entire point of this crazy obsession is for a sharp blade to meet hair as close to your skin as possible, and to cut that hair. So it makes sense that you want the right blade, at the right angle (though, not at a right angle) to cut the hair, and only the hair. I know this seems obvious... but it would also seem obvious that pushing a blade into your skin will begin cutting your skin, because, as stated before, you are pushing a sharp blade into it. But we all still do it, if only sometimes. So what's the goal, to cut the hair, or your face?

Now what were you saying about long posts?