Thread: Razor Angle

Originally Posted by Obie

If I remember, I read on the Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving information site something about placing the blade almost flat on the face. Unless, of course, I misunderstood, or misread.



Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?

Regards,

Obie

I actually absolutely against above statement. Put it flat to your face. ?
If you put blade flat to your wet face sorry to move that blade will be really trouble. Tension etc.
Now about the angle
i would say find comfortable cutting angle is the best solution.
Now days most people will tape the blade and by doing that 18 is changed. That is why when you have new blade try to find the best angle blade cuts hairs and keep it in same angle. if you change example go AGT THEN angle of course needs to be changed.
Hope this helps.

I agree with everything said here by everyone! The mere fact that I can say that and be serious rankles me. I want the formula!

And, that is what has taken me so long to become philosphically resigned to straight razor shaving. There are guidelines (30 degrees) to get you in the door. After that, you're on your own!

I might start trying less than 30 degrees WTG. I need to learn work on the stiff bristles on my chin. I will give this a try.

This is from the wiki



-Chief

I agree with fccexpert and others who think this is too much analysis. Maybe it's because I was never very good at geometry but if I had to analyze every angle of every pass in every shave, I'd probably go back to disposables. I just do what I've found works for me.

I think starting a stroke with the razor flat on the face and slowly increasing the angle until one finds the best angle (for that particular stroke) is good starting advice. It doesn't require any protractors and I think it helps train one to practice by feel rather than formula

Originally Posted by BHChieftain

This is from the wiki



-Chief

Now, I don't measure the angle when I shave or anything, but as this illustrates, I do follow a patter where the angle is decreased with each pass. For me that works best.

Someone said something about "...too much analysis."

On SRP, we seem to simultaneously go down two different tracks: (1) Extreme Sports Analysis, and (2) Extreme Art Practice.

As said in the movie Dream Team... "Chaos is great!"

There are too many variables for a definitive determination of blade angle: face contour, beard texture and growth pattern, razor balance, blade keeness, etc., etc., etc. So, a general discussion of blade angle is useful as a starting point, but you're going to have to feel your way to determine what works best on your face with your tools.

This, in part, is why there is a learning curve required for straight shaving. You've got to figure out what works best for you. This is also why some folks may like Dovo vs. TI (or any other brand) and vice-versa.

BTW, this is also why it's fun!