Thread: Blade size vs Angle of Attack

For years, I only had one razor: a "Super Bismarck" 5/8.
Last week, I received a Friodur Inox 7/8 in the mail, and
it's an entirely different shaving experience. I've been
trying to figure out why.

Obviously, the 7/8 is heavier, and the blade is wider.
That goes without saying, but what puzzles me is this:

The 5/8 razor requires a "smaller" angle of attack for
the same effectiveness; ie, the spine needs to be closer
to the skin than does the 7/8, for the same "quality"
shave.

I don't understand that. The spine on the 7/8 is
obviously thicker, but...presumably...the bevel angle
should be about the same as the 5/8 with a thinner
spine.

What's going on here?

"Malo Aupito" (Tongan for "Many Thanks")

'not sure about all the details - 'hope some of the more experienced guys weigh in on this

When you say it takes a larger angle - are you saying the normal shallow angle doesn't work? Or that with the size there are places where the height of the big blade prevents using the normal angle?

When having issues w/ full hollows, vs the heavier grinds, I was told that with 7/8 and taller, the blades are usually more stiff - less flex. The exception to this may be the Filarmonica - reported to be rather flexible. I bought a 13/16 blade w/ a reputation of using very hard steel, and I found that to be the case. This allows more variation in blade angle. Getting used to the size took a bit for me, but it gives a very pleasant shave. With the shallow blade angle and switching to cold water, the smaller full hollows are pleasant now also.

at first i should say'
Size of the blade has nothing to do with shaving angle.
Means doesn't matter if you have 5/8 or 8/8 blade Angle should be same.
Grind of the blade will affect the angle.(this will confuse)
Contact to the seller or who honed your Friodar blade. He most likely have taped the spine of the razor. that is why you will need to use smaller angle.
General rule is this.
As much as tape you use your angle will go lower.
Lower means spine of the blade close to your face.

it could go so much at the end you will end up just putting flat to your face and shave. This is really uncomfortable shave .Because of the suction between wet face and blade.
hope this helps.

I guess it would take a little bit to get use to, seeing that you said you were comfy with that one blade for a while. I jump around with my straights all the time,5/8 13/16 7/8 ,wedges,full hollows.1/4 wedges so i dont really pay to much attention to blade angle,but iam sure i make some adjustments,i just dont know iam doing it!!! I also suffer from CRS ( cant remember s..t.) I also favor the big blades too.Enjoy that new straight

When you shave with a straight you are constantly altering the angle to suit the geography of your face and neck and after a while it all becomes automatic.

I rotate razors all the time so basically I just shave and I don't consciously change angles because of razor size or grind. I find the main difference in using a larger razor (meaning 7/8s over 5/8s) is the larger one is less maneuverable on your face and the large scales can get in the way so you have to alter your routine somewhat to take this into account.

I've stopped using 5/8 razors for the difficulty I had in maintaining a 28 degree angle. A 6/8 has proved less demanding of presentation to the face and will work from 27 to 32 degrees. Now in using a 7/8 I've found the shave to be so comfortable that I haven't measured the angle of shave (I hesitate to use the phrase "angle of attack" for the obvious reasons). So, I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful at this time, with this problem.

Protractor power, brother

What I really should say is that this angle business is problematic when one becomes hung up on actual degrees: they are darn hard to measure and quite difficult to estimate. Too great an angle and you can more easily cut yourself and will get a poor shave. Hold the razor flat against your face and likely you will have to deal with too much suction as was noted above. What's comfortable and gives you the shave you are looking for is what you need to employ.

good shaving

I use both 5/8 and 6/8 and don't really feel a difference in the shave.

I have yet to break out a protractor. My method is entirely by feel alone. I have never cut my self due to angle, as I don't use enough pressure so when the angle is too great, it just stops the blade. I have learned that when it feels right, then the angle must be correct for that part.

.

Originally Posted by Bruce

I've stopped using 5/8 razors for the difficulty I had in maintaining a 28 degree angle. A 6/8 has proved less demanding of presentation to the face and will work from 27 to 32 degrees. Now in using a 7/8 I've found the shave to be so comfortable that I haven't measured the angle of shave (I hesitate to use the phrase "angle of attack" for the obvious reasons). So, I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful at this time, with this problem.

Protractor power, brother

What I really should say is that this angle business is problematic when one becomes hung up on actual degrees: they are darn hard to measure and quite difficult to estimate. Too great an angle and you can more easily cut yourself and will get a poor shave. Hold the razor flat against your face and likely you will have to deal with too much suction as was noted above. What's comfortable and gives you the shave you are looking for is what you need to employ.

good shaving

Originally Posted by PaulKidd

The 5/8 razor requires a "smaller" angle of attack for
the same effectiveness; ie, the spine needs to be closer
to the skin than does the 7/8, for the same "quality"
shave.

What's going on here?

"Malo Aupito" (Tongan for "Many Thanks")

Reading through your post I've found one fault with your logic. With the same angle the 7/8 will be farther away from the skin then will a 5/8 just because of the wider blade nothing to do with angle. I don't have the same experiance with different blade widths to me it's more of every blade being unique. I have a range between 4/8 and an almost 8/8 and find the difference between different widths to be no different then two different 5/8s, YMMV this is just my experiance.

Is it possible that the blade was honed with tape which could cause the bevel angle to be slightly different? That's something I was reading on one post which could possibly lead to this issue? Maybe a senior member can respond to this idea. thanks

Originally Posted by goodknightbri

Is it possible that the blade was honed with tape which could cause the bevel angle to be slightly different? That's something I was reading on one post which could possibly lead to this issue? Maybe a senior member can respond to this idea. thanks

That's correct, if you use tape the shave angle will need to be lowered, see Sham's post above (hi_bud_gl)