Thread: Is it possible to be TOO vertical?

Hi everyone:

I am pretty new, and I've been experimenting with shaving on my cheek. I am using a Le Grelot frameback razor, and I originally thought I was not vertical enough on my downward strokes. After some recommendations, I was advised (another thread) that it's not bad if you can feel the spine of the razor against your skin as you make your strokes.

So, I've tried this a bit (almost 100% vertical), and it doesn't seem to cut hair very well. I'm wondering if perhaps now I've gone too far the other direction. My question is: "Is it possible to hold your razor with too SMALL of an angle against the skin?" If I hold my razor so the spine doesn't touch my skin (i.e. it's about 1-2 spine widths off of my cheek), it seems to cut hair quite a bit better.

There IS an optimal angle. It rarely is with the spine against the skin and it's rarely out as far as 30 degrees. Somewhere in between there is a sweet spot that changes for almost every part of your face. Just as your body makes unconscious imperceptible adjustments to balance while riding a bike, the same thing happens when you shave. That is, after a lot of practice.

Originally Posted by Utopian

There IS an optimal angle. It rarely is with the spine against the skin and it's rarely out as far as 30 degrees. Somewhere in between there is a sweet spot that changes for almost every part of your face. Just as your body makes unconscious imperceptible adjustments to balance while riding a bike, the same thing happens when you shave. That is, after a lot of practice.

+1... What he said!

I wouldn't know,,, I'm only 5"5"

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I wouldn't know,,, I'm only 5"5"

You are the size of a small figurine!!

,,,,,

Some of the old boxes that razors came in have instructions on the inside of the box. Something like "Start with the razor flat against your face and lift until it cut properly." Well something like that anyway :<0)

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I wouldn't know,,, I'm only 5"5"

NOW THAT'S HUMERUS!!!

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Some of the old boxes that razors came in have instructions on the inside of the box. Something like "Start with the razor flat against your face and lift until it cut properly." Well something like that anyway :<0)

"Virtually flat" or "As flat as possible" is some of the advice.
Here ya go:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ng-basics.html

If the spine is flat on your face the torque must bias toward the edge. If it is on the spine you are effectively lifting the edge .

On my neck the whiskers grow particularly flat to my skin and are almost impossible to shave with the grain. I get those ones against the grain. Angle is important.