Thread: Shaving with the Big Boys

Sound info, advice. You didn't ramble!!!
Joey

All great information, keep 'em coming.

Originally Posted by JoeyGargano

Hi Tod,

I am also on a learning curve with this size blade, I've a 7/8 TI, and have had similar experience but getting better.
I've done some clacs on spine distance from skin and there is a 2mm greater distance at 30 degrees, I'm wondering if unconsciously I could be misjudging the angle and need to practice and just be guided by the feel of the sweet spot.
I've been recently advised by other members not to get to hung up about the 30 degrees, and I think there is an intuitive tendancy to flatten out the angle with the 7/8 especialy on the chin.

As for size I think it's just preference, with me anyway I like the weight and feel, it's as though the razor need less help from me.

Best of luck

Joey

I'm starting to see this now. When you start shaving it seems you want to reduce the angle because you of fear of cutting yourself. Now that I've gained some confidence I'm starting to find the angle that lets the razor do the work. On the Big Boys it just LOOKS like a more upright angle because you've got a thicker blade. I think my initial mistake was starting with the Feather in which you almost lay the blade on your face.

Tod

My favorite zone is between 6/8 and 7/8, with 13/16 being ideal. For extra hollow blades like the TI's, I like the 7/8's as I think the longer hollow flexes just a bit more to make my shave just a little bit closer.

As regards angle, I am not a stickler for 30 degrees either. I like the "just a little off flat on your skin" rule. I think with wider blades, I tend to shave with a smaller angle then, which is good. That's why I am not a fan of anything smaller than 5/8, as I find the angle harder to judge and control.

For wedges, I find myself subconsciously increasing the angle as well, being afraid of "face suck" as someone had so eloquently put it. Once that has happened, it is hard to forget.

For DE's, I agree with Robin. In my twenty years of DE shaving, my worst cut, bar none, was with a slant loaded with a Feather Platinum. The thing literally shaved a chunk of skin off the base of my neck.

It used to be that I still chose a DE whenever I was in a rush. Now, I find I can do a two pass shave just as fast with a straight. It is the cleanup in tough spots like my chin and either side of my adam's apple that takes longer than with a DE.

But I like taking my time shaving, and even if I say I will just do two passes, I can hardly ever stop while I can still feel some stubble when I run my hand in any direction, so I shave usually prefer to shave when I get home from work.

Originally Posted by todot62

I'm starting to see this now. When you start shaving it seems you want to reduce the angle because you of fear of cutting yourself. Now that I've gained some confidence I'm starting to find the angle that lets the razor do the work. On the Big Boys it just LOOKS like a more upright angle because you've got a thicker blade. I think my initial mistake was starting with the Feather in which you almost lay the blade on your face.

Tod

While this is true, it does not explain why you find the sweet spot at an angle greater than your other blades. Of course, shaving arm hair is different from shaving your face, but if this is consistent, it may also depend on the angle of your bevel. FWIW, I had a wedge I had honed once with several layers of tape on the spine, and experienced something similar.

Originally Posted by jnich67

I'm not "master", but I can get a very decent shave with a 1.5 pass straight shave now in about 5 minutes - if I have to. One stroke WTG, then one XTG in the same spot. I hit each section of face this way, then do a southward pass under the chin/neck; relather and go S/N. Done

Jordan

YES! This is exactly what I strive for every morning. I enjoy the straight shave so much that I hate to NOT start a day without it, but I can't spend the time to do a really, really good shave. Since I generally don't shave on Saturday or Sunday morning, I reserve the good shave for Sunday night. Every weekday morning is my "once down, once up, walk away" 15 minute shave.

I'm using a 5/8 fully hollow ground razor and haven't had much experience with anything else, but would like to indulge in a variety of blades some day (should I have prefaced that with "Hi, my name is Biff, and I'm a straight razor shaver"?)

Originally Posted by biffdebris

I'm using a 5/8 fully hollow ground razor and haven't had much experience with anything else, but would like to indulge in a variety of blades some day (should I have prefaced that with "Hi, my name is Biff, and I'm a straight razor shaver"?)

Uh Oh, this sounds like the first symptoms of RAD. A mask, Purell and a marriage enhancement book should be standard issue for everyone who joins this fine establishment.

Well, off to the classifieds.

Tod