Thread: Finding the Right Blade Angle; Proper Holding Technique (For Shave)

Two (non) quick questions from a total neophyte:

1. What's the best way to find the 30° angle? Do you:
   
   • Start with the face flat against the skin and pivot the spine out until you get to 30º; or
   • Start with the edge on the skin positioned between an acute and an obtuse angle and with the edge of the blade against your face and pivot the spine in? (Even as I am writing this, it seems completely wrong and dangerous to pivot the edge on your skin); or
   • Start with the blade away from the skin at an approximate 30º angle and just attack with the edge.
   
   
2. Can someone please post a picture of the proper hand-hold for shaving the different face facets? I get the idea of the thumb on the edge side of the tang and two/three fingers on the spine side of the tang for shaving most of the face, but I read somewhere that the thumb should always press against the heel of the blade on the tang side. Is that so? Can anyone comment? And what are the holds for shaving against the grain and under the chin and such?

Finding the best angle is a matter of starting with the blade flat on the face, starting the stroke and raising the spine until the razor is cutting whiskers. You do not need to be told when you've gone too far. You'll be the first to know.

Here is a compilation of shaving videos, take a look to get the general idea how it is done.
I would not try to copy any one particular way of doing it, just use some pointers to figure out how it works best for you.

straight razor shave tutorial - YouTube

Originally Posted by ace

You'll be the first to know.

…and my wife will be the first to NOTICE.

Thanks for the videos. I'll look through them.

Thing is, my razor's in the mail. Until then, I'm obsessing a bit too much with theory. Which is making this whole thing seem far more complicated and daunting than it needs to be. Need some field work to calm the nerves.

It takes some time since everyone's face is different. watch the video's try different angles and you'll find your sweet spot. Also, I would try to shave using both hands. Makes the angles easier to find on each side of your face.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

…shave using both hands.

In other words: put both hands on the razor at the same time? Or: learn to use both the dominant and non-dominant hands to hold the razor?

Originally Posted by bkoplin

In other words: put both hands on the razor at the same time? Or: learn to use both the dominant and non-dominant hands to hold the razor?

The later.

Originally Posted by bkoplin

In other words: put both hands on the razor at the same time? Or: learn to use both the dominant and non-dominant hands to hold the razor?

I believe Mvcrash means to use you left hand on the left side of your face, and the right hand on the right. Try it, and then adjust to what works best for you.

Over thinking this does really make it harder for most and causes a level of tentative which creates more problems than need be. Yep, easy for me to say after all these years. If you try to think of this as using a new tool and developing the tactile senses and techniques that allows it to work through practice and building your confidence, you will be fine.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by bkoplin

…and my wife will be the first to NOTICE.

Thanks for the videos. I'll look through them.

Thing is, my razor's in the mail. Until then, I'm obsessing a bit too much with theory. Which is making this whole thing seem far more complicated and daunting than it needs to be. Need some field work to calm the nerves.

Lynn:

I have been obsessing over your videos! I need to stop watching and start doing…!

Ben