Thread: Bevel angle - shaving angle

Anybody else has the same experience?
With razors that have a pretty large bevel angle (like those with a thick spine, shorter blade);
My shaving angle needs to as close to my face as possible, even flat against it.

With smaller bevel angles, (thinner spines, larger blades for example) I can utilise a larger shaving angle, a spine’s width away from the face.

With the larger bevel angles, shaving with any other angle than flat against the face only provides for a tuggy harsh bad feeling shave. But once I put it flat against my face, excellent. The bevel angle is probably too large for what would be considered normal or acceptable by many though.

With some where the bevel angle is way too high I just cant manage to get a comfortable shave.

It all reminds me of hand planes and how the bevel angle, bedding angle, etc can aid or make the cut more difficult.

Well, I'll say this. I've honed and shaved with many O razors, every single one of them shave a little different than each other, but close to the same. That's what's so fun about straights, to me. The uniqueness of each blade.

Originally Posted by outback

Well, I'll say this. I've honed and shaved with many O razors, every single one of them shave a little different than each other, but close to the same. That's what's so fun about straights, to me. The uniqueness of each blade.

That is true, I've been honing and using many different razors now, and notice the same.

I thought I messed up honing on this razor and took extra time to re-hone it, twice. But used a "bad" shaving angle I usually use with other razors, only to find out it sucked and didn't shave well for a few shaves. Until yesterday when I changed my shaving angle and it completely transformed the shave.

Live and learn

I can't say I've consciencely done it. I generally have the spine close too or touching my fizzog l.

On all of my straights, I keep the spine as close to my face as possible most of the time. I have a couple of places around my chin that require me to lift the spine a little more, like from 1 1/4 spine widths to 2 spine widths maximum. I have one 5/8 and the rest are 6/8 razors. I do the same thing with shavettes. Those angles are approximate. I don't think any of mine have huge bevels, though.

I don't think I have any razors that are so far from a decent angle that I need to change my approach.
As has been said, all have their minute differences but I use them about the same.
I only have one heavier grind and if I use any of my razors with a little more angle it would be that one. I don't like the razor to stick to my face and that one is more likely to do that given the flatter grind.

I don't really think that much about it. I do notice from time to time that the angle is different with one razor than with another but I guess I sort of self adjust as I go. I remember consciously adjusting in times gone by but it seems more by rote now.

I have about every grind and angle possible and i shave the same with them all. Sure, some will feel different than others but i dont change the way i shave with them. I never felt the need I guess.

Now with a DE or SE sure the angle changes per the razor.

Originally Posted by TristanLudloz1928273

Anybody else has the same experience?
With razors that have a pretty large bevel angle (like those with a thick spine, shorter blade);
My shaving angle needs to as close to my face as possible, even flat against it.

With smaller bevel angles, (thinner spines, larger blades for example) I can utilise a larger shaving angle, a spine’s width away from the face.

Somehow, I feel we are approaching the area where we overthink the theory of shaving.
I also doubt that many of use would be able to precisely compensate the shaving angle for differences in spine width.

I am in the camp that keeps the spine about one spine width (possibly 1 1/2) above my face, but I do not spend much time thinking about it. Over the years, I just arrived at an shaving angle that works…


B.