Thread: The right angle

Hello, Im having trouble figuring out the right angle of the blade against my face. Can someone please tell me, in a way for a newbie like myself to understand, how to figure out the right angle?

Perhaps this link from the wiki may be helpful: Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Remember than these angles shown in the pictures are meant as a reference and that adjustments have to be made depending upon several factors such as: grind and width of the blade, geometry of the face, etc. Specially in the beginning, avoid using more aggressive angles than 30 or so degrees. Keep the pressure to a minimum and let the razor do the work.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by Deilus

Hello, Im having trouble figuring out the right angle of the blade against my face. Can someone please tell me, in a way for a newbie like myself to understand, how to figure out the right angle?

If I am having trouble finding the correct angle I find that it works best for me to start with a shallower angle and gradually increase it as needed (or if needed). I think that a shallow angle (spine closer to the face) is less likely to cause irritation or cuts than a steeper angle. The flip side is that it requires a sharp razor to work properly, but you should always be using a properly honed blade anyway.

Controlling the angle is one of the key skills required for success with a straight, so it's worth working on. You can use the back of a butterknife or a deliberately dulled razor to practice if you are nervous about trial and error with a sharp edge. Start out with the spine a couple of spine widths off of the skin and experiment from there. Practice on the sides of your face at first since they are the flattest sections and require the least angle adjustment "on the fly". Good luck.

The right angle is the angle that works for you. I know this sounds a bit condesending, but in truth it is the best advice I can give. Stop worrying about things like angle, WTG, ATG, XTG etc. and do what seems natural and right to you. IMHO most nicks, cuts and poor shaving experiences are the result of trying to force some type of unatural motion or position on the shave than on any other problem.

Originally Posted by Deilus

Hello, Im having trouble figuring out the right angle of the blade against my face. Can someone please tell me, in a way for a newbie like myself to understand, how to figure out the right angle?

Answer to your questions is NONE .
why is that?
angle will change with blade grounding and sharpening.
if while someone used tape when honed the blade your shaving angle will be different then without tape sharpened blade.
The best angle will be in which angle blade will cut hairs easier
To find out what is the right angle in your razor this is what you do.
1 st make very small strokes in particular angle then change angle a little d anagain make small stroke soon you will find right best cutting angle.
hope this helps. gl

I agree with Bill S and Sham. For me, it varies with the razor I'm using, some require more, some less. So start shallow, maybe two blade thickness's from your face, gradually increase the angle until you have optimal cutting, smooth, no tugging, cut's hair easily. Be careful not too cut yourself. Also, never force the blade. See Jimmyhad's tag line about holding it loosely between your fingers.

That's why we say 30 degrees. It's not that 30 degrees is the proper angle but really just a starting off place. From there you can go shallower or steeper. As the others have said when you shave with a straight you are constantly changing the angle as you move over your face.

Also keep in mind there are other things that go hand in hand with angle that can wreck your shave. You need to watch the pressure you use and watch the stroke you use too.

Hello, Deilus:

Straight razor shaving is a craft marked by improvisation. That is especially true with razor angle. As many have said, the 30-degree angle is a general number.

As much as I can determine, my general angle on the cheeks is around 20 degrees. From there, depending on where I am on my face, the angle changes to accommodate the changes in facial terrain.

In musical terms, the 30-degree angle is your general theme, and from there you improvise around that theme.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Deilus

Hello, Im having trouble figuring out the right angle of the blade against my face. Can someone please tell me, in a way for a newbie like myself to understand, how to figure out the right angle?

It's all trial and error, mate. Don't be afraid to shed a little blood in the process....

Use the width of the spine as a guide. A 30 degree angle would be about 2 times the width of a razors spine, so you might want to try putting about a spines worth of distance between your face and the edge of the spine of the razor and then experiment with a slightly sharper angle. You will feel it when you're in the zone.