Thread: Advice, tips and help required.

I think that 30degrees is too steep. Bob is correct. When I shave the blade is quite flat. Also you may want to watch some lathering videos. You can make it with a little practice. Also if your lather starts to dry out because it’s too dry ot you are too slow just relather . Stropping is important and also takes a bit to get the hang of.
https://youtu.be/VYy3B3v8STo

Getting the lather right can make a big difference in your shave. If there is too little water in the lather the blade will feel sticky and want to skip on your face. Too much water in the lather makes it runny with little cushion for the blade. Get it right and the blade will glide along nicely so even a blade that is just getting dull will work. Here is a video that may help you with that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw

Bob

Its all about angle and pressure. Keep your angle low and your pressure light. Dont go crazy trying for that baby butt smooth shave, thats just overhandling your stuff. A nice two pass shave might be all that you need. also make sure to stretch your skin while you shave. Accept the fact that you will take a few tiny cuts, but its not hard or scary.
Last thing is DONT GIVE UP.

And a good brush makes the experience much better.

Good comments by all. Just hang in there Bro. Keep that one spine width spacing as it's best for most of us.

I have always just found the angle by feel and sound. I haven't ever tried to find a viewing angle that would let me really judge it. If it pulls the hairs and makes a plink plink sound it is too steep. If it just glides along and makes a the same sort of sound rubbing your stubble makes it is good. If it pulls and makes a louder version of the good sound you need to touch up the edge of the razor.

But I first learned before google and youtube, so I figured most of it out on my own.

Originally Posted by WILDKATMIKE

Hi all. OK so, I have, thanks to Curunner//Roy, been introduced to straight razors...and been trying to get my technique sorted for the razor he kindly sent me...however, I have two types...one is a 5/8, and the new one is 8/8. So is there a difference in the technique needed? I'm still trying to get the technique correct for the smaller one...but without much success. Any help give would be appreciated. Thanks

I would say your best bet is to reduce as many variables as you are able to. Pick one razor, and use that until you become proficient. Once you can shave well with that one without thinking about it too move on to the other and start playing with it. Your face will let you know if you need to adjust your technique with the new razor.

1 to 2 spine widths is a good ball park estimate for the proper angle, a more shallow angle is generally better when possible. But faces have all sorts of peaks and valleys, and adjustment needs to be made on the fly. Practice makes perfect.

Good point. Learn with one razor. When it gets dull send it out for honing and pick up your fresh razor and go until it needs honing. This keeps you learning on one at a time for a while but still giving you the chance to switch when you need to send one out. And the one you pickup will have a new edge.

Roy is a great enabler, I mean Mentor. So just listen to what he has to say.