Bad angles can put the sharpest SR to shame!

So, I switched from the 5/8 to the 6/8(a discussion for another thread entirely) and was promptly reminded that without close attention to angles or without correcting a bad angle, you are in for a nasty ride.

For instance, I observed myself no following a proper 30 degree angle in my first WTG pass. Instead, I found myself on a 15 degree or less angle. What happened? I had plenty of beard left untouched to the razor. Made my edge look bad which I know it isn't. When I apply too much angle on a WTG pass, that is more than 30 degrees, the razor bites in, tugs and endangers my face, causing me to have to use too much pressure.

But, aaaah, when I'm holding the 30 degrees steady on a WTG pass, the razor does all the work. I barely have to apply any pressure.

I've experienced the same for the ATG and XTG passes as well. 15 degrees and less.

Bottom Line: Your razor, beard and ears will tell you tell you when you've hit that sweet spot. Slow and steady wins the race.

Love to see learning happening. Well said. I would always prefer to have too low an angle than too high. Too low doesn't hurt ....

30 degrees is the recommended starting off spot when you begin straight shaving. It's middle of the road and you aren't going to do any real damage if you keep it there. However the real advantage to using a straight is you can adjust the angle on a continuous basis as you shave to meet the needs of your particular situation. That is where experience with the instrument comes in. It becomes second nature and you don't even realize you are adjusting on the fly all the time.

I have changed the 'angle of attack' while the razor was in contact with my face and the claret flowed - another lesson learned.....:shrug:

High angle will not just increase the chances of cutting yourself but is very hard on the razor's edge too.

Just some more food for thought.

I'm yet to find an angle that's too low. My razors shave just fine with the spine in contact on my face. Try it on your strop if you don't believe me. ;)

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

30 degrees is the recommended starting off spot when you begin straight shaving. It's middle of the road and you aren't going to do any real damage if you keep it there. However the real advantage to using a straight is you can adjust the angle on a continuous basis as you shave to meet the needs of your particular situation. That is where experience with the instrument comes in. It becomes second nature and you don't even realize you are adjusting on the fly all the time.

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I'm not comfortable with 30 degrees in a ATG pass. Do you do 30 degrees in your ATG passes?

I agree with Oz. The Fili he honed for me knocked hairs at any angle. Great honing makes all the difference.

Luis

I have to go at a high angle right under the nose. I've never cut myself there, I guess because my focus is so high. I come in at almost a 90 degree angle.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

I'm yet to find an angle that's too low. My razors shave just fine with the spine in contact on my face. Try it on your strop if you don't believe me. ;)

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Good point:-)

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I have to go at a high angle right under the nose. I've never cut myself there, I guess because my focus is so high. I come in at almost a 90 degree angle.

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I use the Coupe de Maitre method. Have you tried it? Look for a video on it. I agree with the height of focus in that area as well. It's always high for me as well.