Razors that help find the correct shaving angle?

[TripleB]

Since entering the wet shaving world about a month ago, I've been able to try the following razors: Super Speed TTO, Rockwell 6C, Parker Variant, and Leaf Twig.

I've tried to be as diligent as possible, read as much information as possible, and watch as many videos as possible, but I'm struggling to find the correct shaving angle in order to get a consistent and comfortable shave.

I've had the most success with the Leaf Twig because it seems to be easier to find the correct shaving angle with this razor...place the head flat on my face and make short smooth strokes with little pressure.

Are there any other razors (single edge or double edge) that make the correct shaving angle extremely easy to find?

I'm sure finding the correct angle with any razor will come with time (as it has for you), but at times I get frustrated because the hair doesn't come off even when I feel I did everything perfectly (which obviously I didn't).

Thank you for your help!

TripleB

 

[slackskin]

Henson is The Bomb. Angle is literally built in. They are kinda pricey. I have tried all three varieties -- mild, medium, and aggressive. I prefer the aggressive (which is really highly efficient but not aggressive) and will sell the medium on Buy-Sell-Trade form as soon as I can.

 

[Blackland Razors]

How do you know your angle is the problem? What symptoms are you experiencing that make you suspect angle as the culprit?

 

[Ron R]

Are there any other razors (single edge or double edge) that make the correct shaving angle extremely easy to find?

I'm sure finding the correct angle with any razor will come with time (as it has for you), but at times I get frustrated because the hair doesn't come off even when I feel I did everything perfectly (which obviously I didn't).

Thank you for your help!

4 razors that come to mind for angle built in angle are Henson razors, Yates brand and Yaqi tile. Razorock also came out with their built in angle razor called Cyber razor(mild and mid range) that is reasonable priced.
Henson has sold a lot of their razors variants (1mild,2 mid,3 upper mid aggression) and was very successful compared to other manufactures in sales and ease of use.
I have the Yaqi Tile 316 SS razor head (place it on almost any razor handle you like using)and it is a tame mid range and I use it once in a while because of my large razor rotation and it performs well. I used it this morning actually and had a DFS++ and that is great for most folks.
I personally don't need a razor with a built in angle because it restricts my shave a little at times, I have a seasoned hand technique after shaving with DE SE razors over the years + I enjoy a different variety of new to vintage different brands(Gem,RR, Gillette,Yaqi....... razors.
You are lucky because their is a lot of razors of quality out there now compared to 7 years ago.

 

[Jamolay]

The Proof Whiskey is a pivoting head razor that uses half of any blade you like. The pivot takes a little pressure to engage, but then it is at the right angle and stays there. Very mild and very efficient. But, it is different. I find it less fun and challenging compared to a regular fixed head razor. However, a fast and excellent shave without injury. Hard to beat that.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I've tried to be as diligent as possible, read as much information as possible, and watch as many videos as possible, but I'm struggling to find the correct shaving angle in order to get a consistent and comfortable shave.

There is not really one angle, most of the time there is a range of angles that will work. If in doubt, try the neutral angle. It's usually easy to find.

Start with the razor cap flat on the face, with handle more or less horizontal. Rotate the handle down until you feel the blade engage the skin. This is one end of the effective range.

Now, put the razor guard on the face, ,with handle more or less vertical. Rotate the handle up until you feel the blade engage the skin. This is the other end of the effective range.

Now, try to keep the razor more or less between these two extremes. Use your ears. Listen for the stubble being cut. You can tell when the razor is cutting well by the sound.

Don't overthink this. For most razors, you have a range of angles to work with.

 

[The Coffee Bandit]

I wonder if, rather than trying to find a razor with training wheels, if more experience and practice might be more appropriate?

Finding an acceptable angle on any of your razors really shouldn't be difficult at all, so it makes me wonder if angle isn't actually the problem.
My 6c, like most razors, shaves at 20, 30 and 40 degrees...just in slightly different ways. It's not a narrow margin that's easy to miss. Most razors are this way.

 

[DesertIguana]

Here you go.

 

[TripleB]

How do you know your angle is the problem? What symptoms are you experiencing that make you suspect angle as the culprit?

I guess the main problem I'm having is inconsistency (so maybe it's keeping the correct angle throughout the entire shave that's the problem). On some areas during my shave it seem like I'm doing everything correctly (hair gone, no redness, no tugging, enjoyable shave), while in other areas I feel tugging from the razor, have redness (sometimes blood), and on some spots it seems like the hairs haven't been touched by my razor.

Thanks for everyone's help and advice!

TripleB

 

[Goblin]

(so maybe it's keeping the correct angle throughout the entire shave that's the problem)

Yes! I was just going to say this. Finding the angle is one thing. Maintaining it is something else.

Try almost locking the wrist and shaving mostly from the elbow/ shoulder. This is a temporary measure until you learn to feel when the angle is right and make micro-adjustments of the wrist without thinking about it. That will kind of happen naturally.

The other thing is to keep strokes short. 10mm is a good average. If you make long strokes the angle tends to wander. It’s easier to keep the angle right if you constantly lift off and reset as you work around the different parts of the face.

Pick a razor and stick with it. Shave regularly. It should all start coming together in a matter of weeks.

Edit: it does sound like angle problems and using too much pressure to compensate. In addition to the above, make sure your blades are sharp enough for your whiskers. Some folks can use just about anything but some of us graybeards are pretty fussy about sharp blades.

 

[gpjoe]

Since entering the wet shaving world about a month ago, I've been able to try the following razors: Super Speed TTO, Rockwell 6C, Parker Variant, and Leaf Twig.

I've tried to be as diligent as possible, read as much information as possible, and watch as many videos as possible, but I'm struggling to find the correct shaving angle in order to get a consistent and comfortable shave.

I've had the most success with the Leaf Twig because it seems to be easier to find the correct shaving angle with this razor...place the head flat on my face and make short smooth strokes with little pressure.

Are there any other razors (single edge or double edge) that make the correct shaving angle extremely easy to find?

I'm sure finding the correct angle with any razor will come with time (as it has for you), but at times I get frustrated because the hair doesn't come off even when I feel I did everything perfectly (which obviously I didn't).

Thank you for your help!

TripleB

Some razors shave at a wider range of usable shave angles, perhaps that is true of your Twig, which is why it shaves better for you. In other words, it isn’t as fussy about angle.

The Henson is always the razor that comes to mind when folks discuss a "fixed" shaving angle. It essentially has a narrower range of shaving angle which compels the user to keep the razor head as close as possible to the effective range.

The good news is: it's harder to cut or irritate your skin, especially with the mild Henson (+) variant. The bad news, at least in my experience with the Henson, is that it quickly loses efficiency if you fall outside the tight shave angle...so, yes, it "forces" you to maintain the correct angle.

But so do most razors, to a different (and often) lesser degree, which is why I prefer a more traditional razor design. Not a knock on Henson, lots of guys (and gals) love em.

My advice? Same as some others above:

Rather than searching for the perfect razor, work on the perfect technique...and be patient...like many things, it may take a bit of practice.

Good luck

 

[buyandhold2018]

I would recommend trying either the Henson AL13 or the Razorock Cyber razor. I use both and they are both dead simple to find the perfect angle. They have mild and medium versions for each razor depending on the aggression you prefer.

 

[Saxonbowman]

Your technique with the Leaf Twig sounds like how you shave with a vintage injector razor, just ride the cap.

One thing that worked for me when I went back to traditional shaving was to stick with one razor and blade for a while and get to know it. It is hard to develop good technique when you change your equipment every day.

 

[TripleB]

I truly appreciate everyone responding with your honest feedback. Hearing about excellent razors that make it easier to find the right angle (Henson A13 and others) is a tremendous help, as is hearing to pick a razor and stick with it so that I have the same razor in my hand as I learn. Hearing the truth on both accounts makes a lot of sense!

@Saxonbowman Funny you should mention an injector razor - I saw a Schick Injector J on a website that looked to be in great shape for it's age and ended up winning it for $20 with 3 Schick blade cartridges. It was one of those spur of the moment things that I guess will turn out great or I'll regret.

Again, thank you to all of you for your honest opinions!

TripleB

 

[Ron R]

I truly appreciate everyone responding with your honest feedback. Hearing about excellent razors that make it easier to find the right angle (Henson A13 and others) is a tremendous help, as is hearing to pick a razor and stick with it so that I have the same razor in my hand as I learn. Hearing the truth on both accounts makes a lot of sense!

@Saxonbowman Funny you should mention an injector razor - I saw a Schick Injector J on a website that looked to be in great shape for it's age and ended up winning it for $20 with 3 Schick blade cartridges. It was one of those spur of the moment things that I guess will turn out great or I'll regret.

Again, thank you to all of you for your honest opinions!

TripleB

I use a lot of different Schick injectors and the J type are nice but the one thing i found out is the 3 blades that are coming with the Ebay J razor win have to be new.
What happened to me was I bought a E type injector and the blades that came with it were just to old and almost turned me off of injectors. I purchased some SChick blades from Amazon(yellow package of 7 blades) and that was a eye opener how much better the razor worked. I still like to use my Schick injector razors to this day but I do have a lot of other razors that perform well also.

 

[BigJ]

Great advice above! I would reemphasize the concept that most razors are effective over a range of angles.

 

[TripleB]

Just a quick update after trying three razors today: '67 Gillette Super Speed TTO, Rockwell 6C, and Leaf Twig.

I'm not sure if the alignment is off with the SSTTO (probably not) or if I just put too much pressure on the razor (although I made myself a note and tried to follow it using all three razors - VERY LIGHT PRESSURE! LET THE RAZOR DO THE WORK!), but I got a couple nicks and a few weepers with this razor. Seriously, I tried to make sure I went slow, found the proper angle, took short strokes, and went very light with pressure...but my shave with the SSTTO did not turn out well.

The 6C didn't result in any nicks or weepers, but I must have struggled keeping the correct angle because there were several areas that looked like the razor never even touch my skin. The shave itself was comfortable and where it did cut was very smooth (plate #2), but I obviously didn't keep the correct angle throughout the entire shave.

The Twig did the best for me today. It cut smoothly, effectively, efficiently, and only one area of redness (near the corner of my mouth), but no nicks or weepers. I'm not sure what it is about this razor that makes it work for me better than the rest, but overall, today, it was my favorite razor of the group.

I have a Schick Injector J series razor I "accidentally" won for $20 coming on Monday. I'll put it in a side by side comparison with the Twig and see how each of them handle. I haven't given up on the 6C, I just think I'll take a couple of weeks break from it and then come back to it.

Again, thanks for all the honest and helpful input.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

I'm currently liking both the Leaf Twig and the Henson AL13 Mild. I have a vintage Schick J type arriving tomorrow and a friend of mine is trying to get me to buy his Supply SE (he got the Pro and no longer needs his SE) so I may get to try it before deciding if I want to actually buy it. So I'm sure one of those is going to be the one I stick with for the next several months.

Again, thanks for all your help!

TripleB

 

[eSteve]

As I’ve said, I enjoy your posts B but this is all so convoluted. Maybe don’t take my bs too seriously, or anyone else’s.

I think I’m learning well, I’ve certainly been enjoying it. And no carnage, gosh. Here’s how I started.

I had a good modern TTO. I used that one razor, and one blade, for weeks. I was told, try this blade, this soap, blah blah blah. No. I was determined to learn with what I had. My shaves were getting half comfortable. I was ready to expand. I got a popular, well-regarded 3-piece, the Edwin Jagger DE89, and a Late 40s Tech. Continued to use the same blade.

It took six or eight shaves to mostly figure out the EJ, it’s sort of counter-intuitive; I had my first consistently close and comfortable shaves. That same week, I had my first shave with the Tech. Super cool, it was the first time I went ATG comfortably on my neck.

So I was able to have these two epiphanies, but I had to be so careful. It was my stepping-off point. I’ve run with it.

That’s my bs story. Good luck.

 

[TripleB]

As I’ve said, I enjoy your posts B but this is all so convoluted. I had a good modern TTO. That same week, I had my first shave with the Tech. Super cool, it was the first time I went ATG comfortably on my neck. That’s my bs story. Good luck.

I've settled on the Leaf Twig and Astra Superior Platinum blades to stick with until I learn how to wet shave properly.

Along the way I did look for a modern TTO because I love that style, but found some were quite expensive (Rockwell T2) or from companies I really hadn't heard a lot about. I did pick up a '67 Super Speed TTO for $25 that I like very much - the Leaf Twig just seems a little easier on my face at this point.

I also bid on a couple Gillette Slim adjustable razors, but for the quality I wanted, I wasn't prepared to spend that much on a 60 year old razor yet. I know, it's probably better than anything I could get for that price new, but being that old I was just concerned the alignment would be off or the adjustment knob wouldn't work correctly or...

I tried against the grain last week and it wasn't such a good experience. I look forward to the day when I'm experienced enough to try it again with better results.

I appreciate you sharing your story and appreciate your advice!

TripleB