Thread: 4th shave and getting better

Ok well I had a much better shave this time around I used a much more wet lather, and aroudn my chin I used so much water it actually looked like foam but it was a very comfortable shave.

I have a new question though:

When I was shaving with my DE I did use an actual 30 degree angle to get my best shave and I have constantly read that 30 degree angle on a straight seems to be the cardinal rule of shaving. However when I use a 30 degree angle I seem to really irritate my skin and get a much worse shave, but when I use almost no angle to shave I get an excellent shave and much less irritation. So am I doing something wrong that would cause a 30 degree angle to shave worse, or is that 30 degree angle just a general recommendation and not the rule?

Originally Posted by JLStorm

Ok well I had a much better shave this time around I used a much more wet lather, and aroudn my chin I used so much water it actually looked like foam but it was a very comfortable shave.

I have a new question though:

When I was shaving with my DE I did use an actual 30 degree angle to get my best shave and I have constantly read that 30 degree angle on a straight seems to be the cardinal rule of shaving. However when I use a 30 degree angle I seem to really irritate my skin and get a much worse shave, but when I use almost no angle to shave I get an excellent shave and much less irritation. So am I doing something wrong that would cause a 30 degree angle to shave worse, or is that 30 degree angle just a general recommendation and not the rule?

JL,

Yeah, you're holding the razor upside down! Part of the learning process is that your face must adjust to the new tool that you are now scraping across your face. You've actually answered your own question...if you are getting excellent shaves, keep doing what you are doing. If you aren't getting excellent shaves, something's gotta change!

RT

Originally Posted by JLStorm

... when I use almost no angle to shave I get an excellent shave and much less irritation.

Joe Lerch actually swears by that so you should be ok. I use a few different angles depending on what part of my face I'm shaving, which direction I'm going and which pass I'm making. Mostly it's bout 30º for me though.

X

I use 30 degrees for the majority of my shave, but there are places where I use a much lower angle. If you're getting a quality shave, keep doing what you're doing!

I too use about 30 degrees for most of the shave. The exceptions are second pass (and touch-up) on the chin, and against the grain (second pass) on my neck...these are both done with a much more acute angle; spine almost touching the skin.
Just another data point,
Ed

Josh,

I get the same results as you at 30 deg, but I was thinking that maybe I'm applying pressure when I use a steeper angle and that may be why my face gets more irritated. I say check to make sure you're not doing the same. That being said, I have to agree with the others; if what you're doing's working, keep it up.

JL,

Whatever works for you. Keep it up and
the shaves will only get better.

Remember, you didn't learn too shoot
a gun overnight. Straight shaving is
no different.


Terry

I use 30 degrees for most of my face but on my neck and chin, I find that I have to use much less. Sometimes the blade is almost flat against the skin. Just keep at it. Everyone's face is different and you'll soon figure out what works best for you. You're making good progress.