When used against the grain, a blade ______ by ___ blade lengths.

When used against the grain, a blade ______ by ___ blade lengths.

• A. Lengthens; one
• B. Shortens; two
• C. Shortens; three
• D. Does not change length

Answer: (B)

Cutting against the grain changes how much hair the blade removes in one pass. When you move opposite the direction of growth, the hair tends to lift and present more length to the cutting edge, so the blade shears off more fibers than it would with the grain. That extra removal adds up, so hair length is reduced by more than the blade’s standard measure. In this case, the effect is described as shortening by two blade lengths, which fits the increased removal you get when going against the grain. Use this technique carefully, as it can produce a noticeably shorter result and uneven texture if not controlled.

Cutting against the grain changes how much hair the blade removes in one pass. When you move opposite the direction of growth, the hair tends to lift and present more length to the cutting edge, so the blade shears off more fibers than it would with the grain. That extra removal adds up, so hair length is reduced by more than the blade’s standard measure. In this case, the effect is described as shortening by two blade lengths, which fits the increased removal you get when going against the grain. Use this technique carefully, as it can produce a noticeably shorter result and uneven texture if not controlled.