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Thread: angle guide

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    Default angle guide

    is there any device available to snap onto the spine of the razor in order to enforce the 30 degree angle for learning with? a spacer that forces the blade to 30 degrees if touching the face? I am having trouble gauging angle and a device like this might help beginners.

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    Yeah, they are called safety razors.

    Seriously though, I don't think there is anything of the sort.

    Don't over think it. it's not too difficult to determine the correct angle as long as your razor is sharp. Too shallow and the blade floats on the lather while if too steep and it feels like it's digging in.

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    groovyd (05-03-2011)

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    I think you can find the angle fairly easily by laying the blade flat on your cheek and raising the spine as you shave downward with no pressure. At about the magic 30 degree angle you will hear and feel the sound we talk about on this forum, the sound of spreading butter on toast. That is the sound of whiskers being cut. Below roughly 30 degrees the razor will slide smoothly over your face, but it won't be cutting whiskers. If you are starting with a shave ready blade and proper preparation, this will work for you. If you're not sure your blade is sharp, save yourself typical Newbie problems and get it honed properly first. The sharpness of the blade is the one variable that you must eliminate from the shave. If you don't, you'll never be able to tell whether your technique is an issue or whether the blade is not up to the task.

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    My blade seems to cut even flat against the face... the blade is new and was just honed and stropped some 40 times and it has lots of trouble cutting the hair off my forearm... maybe my stropping has damaged the blade. i stropped as light as i could.

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    ace
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    Stropping lightly is good, but where the spine and edge were during the process is important too. You say the blade was new. Was it advertised as shave ready? It would be interesting to know who actually honed it.

    As for the angle, lay it flat and bring it up slowly. You'll be able to feel the difference between it sliding across your face and when it cuts whiskers. It is true that it can cut whiskers when it is flat on the face but not as well as when the correct angle is achieved.

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    groovyd (05-03-2011)

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    Senior Member deighaingeal's Avatar
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    What might help is to post your location and find a mentor in your area.

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    Luddite ekstrəˌôrdnˈer bharner's Avatar
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    To go with what ace is saying (sort of) lay it flat against your face and try shaving. You'll cut some hairs not very closely but it shouldn't irritate the skin. Then increase the angle slightly and do another pass. Then increase slightly again and do another pass. Try that for a few shaves and you'll quickly find an angle that works for you.

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    Yes, I agree that would be best.

    I live in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Anyone willing to mentor a beginner in exchange for beers at the brick store and eternal thanks please email me srp -at- groovydomain.com.

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    This is how I started. I placed the blade flat against my face and started lifting the spine away. Slowly gliding it down on my face until I found a comfortable angle. I am totally new to wet shaving so this might not be the best way but it worked well for me.

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    Predictably Unpredictiable Mvcrash's Avatar
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    Taking your time and watching the angle and feeling your face after will tell you if your angle is correct. It comes with practice and patience. Keep at it, go slow and soon enough you'll be shaving just fine.
    “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
    Albert Einstein

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