Blade angle for WTG

[JoeyGargano]

Hi,

Been thinking about the 30 degree shave angle for WTG passes which I appreciate is the received wisdom for some good reasons.
I have been experimenting with this and evaluating results of different angles on various parts of the face. If my calculations are correct the distance from the spine centerline should be about 10mm for a 6/8 from the skin surface being shaved and 12mm for my 7/8.
This does not seem much to me and feels a little short of the sweet spot when I have been very conscious of maintainig this angle. Also I find the pass leaves more whiskers than when I just shave intuitivley.
I would however say that I experience no irritation at all when being disciplined about this 30 degrees and can mop up the stray whiskers on subsequent passes. When I have watched videos of shaving some of the strokes appear to me significantly greater than the 30 degrees also.
I know this aint an exact science and there are many variables involved. Apologies if this seems a bit pedantic, however I'm eager to hear any thoughts and opinions in this aspect, after all I'm about refining my aproach to enjoy the shaving moments.

[Alraz]

Joey, these angles are meant to be a reference for a start but my feeling is that if you pay too much attention to them, using all the geometry and all, you are not going to accomplish much in terms of shaving (with all your attention going into that). Assuming that your razor is in shave ready condition and that you have properly stropped it and prepped your beard, I would just try to shave the cheeks wtg keeping a tight grip on the razor but with my wrist loose (but not too loose). If after the pass, the skin feels smooth and there are no signs of irritation, SUCCESS!!! If not, I would relather and try again at a slightly different angle, regardless of what that is, as long as it is not close to 90 or 0; do you know what I mean? Try to find what works for you and let the razor work for you. Keep also an eye on the pressure that you apply (this is where the wrist comes in). Perhaps the most important piece of advice that I can give you at this point is to have patience, the good shaves will come in time. Also,when shaving, aim for comfort rather than closeness. Please visit the wiki if you have already not done so. Happy shaving.... ;-)

Al raz.

[JoeyGargano]

Thanks Alraz,
Sound advice, much appreciated and you have confirmed my feelings on the matter.
The trick for me is the chin, especially right underneath the chin.
Lynn advises me to watch the angle on the chin at 30 or less especially when using the bigger blade because of the tendancy to flatten out.
You sure do need some patients don't you.

Joey

[BeBerlin]

Bart kindly put the following (canonical, I think) article in the Wiki: Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

[Bart]

Joey, it's all about feel.
The angles are just pointers and general principles. The ideal angle depends on how your whiskers grow out your skin, how sharp the razor you're using, how aggressive its edge (no, those two are not entirely the same), which direction of attack (wtg/xtg/atg).
For $18000, I can fly you over to Belgium and do all the necessary measurements to map your face, and equip a full set of 21 razors with guiding wheels, labeled from "right cheek wtg" to "left side-burn atg" and everything in between. If you don't wish to take that route, I must advice you to pay careful attention during the shave. The razor will talk to you, though your finger tips and through your facial skin (this is not a joke). In time you will learn to read it. The closeness of your shaves will improve and the edges of your razor will stay sharp longer, because both you and your razor will benefit from the most efficient angle. You'll become an artist on your own face, and your skill will rival that of a tightrope walker, and your art will seem simple to you, but not to those that haven't mastered it yet.

So my advice is patience and awereness.
Kind regards,
Bart.

[fccexpert]

I get 10 and 11 mm, but as has been said, these are just reference numbers, what works for you is what works.

[welshwizard]

I just instinctively move the razor around until I feel and hear it cutting hair. I'm not sure it would work as well for me if I thought consciously about blade angle and so on.

[cutalot]

i do the frist pass very shallow and follow up with a more aggressive angle its all abought comfort for me