Thread: ANGLE!

Originally Posted by mparker762

You ever get that suction effect when you're honing? When the edge starts getting really polished and the edge is sharp? Same thing, only it's your face instead of a hone. There's enough residual lather on your face that it forms a seal against the razor, so as the razor moves forward the vacuum makes your skin stick to the razor before separating. If you're shaving slowly then it's probably not as much of an issue since the seal has longer to break. If the razor isn't too sharp then the suction is manageable, you just get a very close shave. But if it's really sharp and you shave with a flicking motion then you get a lot of suctino, a really close shave and a bad case of razor burn. This isn't really an issue with full hollows because the hollow ground blade arches away from your face and breaks the seal very quickly, but on a big wedge you could have nearly three inches of skin sticking to the razor.

I see how that could be a problem. I have not yet experienced it.
I'm always doing my ATG-pass on a thin, translucent layer of lathery water. Maybe that prevents it from happening?

Thanks for explaining,

Bart.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

After shaving with a 7/8 for the first time after having this angle epiphany, I can now see another reason why the big blades are so great to use. It is easy to maintain a very low angle with a big chopper than it is with a tiny 4/8. It is for me, anyhow....

It is the exact opposite for me. I find that I can naturally maintain a flatter angle with a smaller width razor particularly around the chin. The larger razors although fun to shave with have a tendency to flatten out and I have to be careful with them.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

It is the exact opposite for me. I find that I can naturally maintain a flatter angle with a smaller width razor particularly around the chin. The larger razors although fun to shave with have a tendency to flatten out and I have to be careful with them.

Lynn

To each his own! Straight shaving is too cool!

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I beg to differ slightly. When Bart put this outstanding post into the Wiki, I gave the cutting angles suggested therein a try. And, lo! it has been working wonders: Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki. To wit, an WTG pass at a shallow angle will simply cause my blades to remove the lather, rather than the whiskers.

The Advanced shaving techniques... Wiki page really turned on the light bulb for me. Newbies take note when your hassling with angles.
Dannyr

Originally Posted by Bart

I see how that could be a problem. I have not yet experienced it.
I'm always doing my ATG-pass on a thin, translucent layer of lathery water. Maybe that prevents it from happening?

Thanks for explaining,

Bart.

I find that my blade sticks the worst when my lather is a little dry and after my skin is somewhat smooth/hairless (after/during atg). That is when my skin is the 'stickiest'. It is rather evident if I go over an area where there is no lather, especially if that part of my face conforms to the grind of the razor. I think the presence of hair helps to relieve the suction somewhat as well.

Shaving with the biggest razor I have so far - 7/8 has brought this 'suction' effect about. it's a 1/4 hollow/wedge so if there is too much thick, creamy lather and I go ATG then the blade practically glues itself to my skin. After I've completed my WTG pass(es) I put on a layer of lather, but not too thick, and then re-strop the blade for about 40 strokes. I find this gives the lather enough time to thin out and then there's no/little suction when I go ATG.

I STILL have THAT spot on my neck where I just can't get it as close or smooth as I can on just about every other part of my face... grrrr...