Thread: First SR Shave... The Results.

I think that the main problem sounds like just lack of experience. I remember my first few shave i was so afraid of cutting myself that i barely would move the razor with enough umpf to move the razor through the hair. my hands were shaky at first and i was so scared of digging it into my face witch i never did do anyway but i was so hesitant it made it feel like it was tugging were once i got some confidence and moved the razor through the hair it all smoothed right out.

Originally Posted by mjhammer

Why isn't that link a sticky. It should get bumped or something. I would have loved to have seen that when I started out. Yeah me too but there was no internet back then I think conventional wisdom says 30º or less but no one defined how much less.

Now let me get this straight. I read that and it led me to believe that a hollow ground razor can be laid flat against the face to shave. I was wondering what the native angle is on the edge of a hollow ground, and if it is any different on a wedge. Can you really lay a hollow ground flat and get it to 'reduce' the whiskers? I think it says 'nearly' flat. Other wording I've seen says 'virtually' flat but depending on area shaved I will often feel the spine on my skin. I forget what razor blade angles are but I think somewhere in the teens comes to mind so add 15º and you get about 30 which to me makes more sense.

I snagged that photo in the link and blew it up a little for my old eyes. It was kind of a revelation.

Thanks Oz. How'd you remember that old post. It was from like 2008 or older.

No problemo, I bet you'll remember it too now

M

..........

Now let me get this straight. I read that and it led me to believe that a hollow ground razor can be laid flat against the face to shave. I was wondering what the native angle is on the edge of a hollow ground, and if it is any different on a wedge. Can you really lay a hollow ground flat and get it to 'reduce' the whiskers?

Roughly speaking, the typical angle at the edge is about 16 degrees. It's set by the ratio of spine thickness to blade width. I _think_ it's about the same for wedges as for hollow-ground blades (but I haven't measured any razors to check that).

I never tried shaving with a f blade flat against my face; I have "theoretical reasons" for thinking it won't work. I'll try it, next shave, to find out.

Try putting the blade flat on your face, and lifting the spine _just a bit_ before starting a stroke with very light (or no) pressure. If it shaves, great! If it doesn't, lift just a little bit more, and repeat the exercise.

You'll get it right, eventually.

... Charles