Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20
Like Tree30Likes

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

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    12
    Thanked: 0

    Question 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?

  2. #2
    ace
    ace is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth ace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    3,362
    Thanked: 581

    Default

    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.
    Mvcrash and DamnStraight like this.

  3. #3
    I used Nakayamas for my house mainaman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Des Moines
    Posts
    8,664
    Thanked: 2591
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    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
    Stefan

  4. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    12
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ace View Post
    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.
    TaipeiJake likes this.

  5. #5
    Predictably Unpredictiable Mvcrash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Northern NJ
    Posts
    3,588
    Thanked: 1487

    Default

    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.
    “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
    Albert Einstein

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    12
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mvcrash View Post
    …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?

  7. #7
    Seudo Intellectual Lazarus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Denver,CO
    Posts
    429
    Thanked: 166

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bkoplin View Post
    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.

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth Haroldg48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Clayton, NC USA
    Posts
    3,341
    Thanked: 866

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bkoplin View Post
    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.
    JBHoren likes this.

  9. #9
      Lynn's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,454
    Thanked: 4942
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by bkoplin View Post
    …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.
    JBHoren likes this.

  10. #10
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    12
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Lynn:

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

    Ben
    Lynn likes this.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •