Scraping vs. Cutting - what are the angles like?

[njtnjt]

So I am just a handful of shaves into straights. Such a lot of new things to learn all at once to make it work.

I'd like to hear from some experienced users about the difference between scraping with the blade and shaving with the blade. I have had some minor razor burn and imagine it might be because I am scraping at too shallow an angle. Of course it could be that I used too much pressure too, or did not have enough lather to lube the spot or perhaps even too steep an angle???. So many variables.... But for now I am wondering about the concept of scraping. I was told to use a very shallow angles for the first couple WTG passes; that these are beard reduction passes and that one wants to have the spine of the razor almost touching the skin. Then as the whiskers get reduced I can raise the angle of the blade to my face and nip off whats left of the whiskers. I was told that if I used too steep of an angle with my first passes that the razor would ride down the whiskers and take off a layer or two of dead skin and give me razor rash that way. I think I may have experienced this under my nose today when I used a very steep angle to reach under the nostrils.

What say ye?

 

[buca3152]

I use straights but i use the lowest angle that still cuts. Scraping imo results in an uncomfortable shave and will dull the blade quicker. I used a de for about a year and found this to be my experience.

 

[njtnjt]

I answered my own question this morning. The lower cutting angles were the least irritating to my skin. The more I elevated the razor's spine, the more chance there was of causing irritation. Those higher angles need a very light touch indeed.

 

[kirisute]

I read up on it as the steeper angles give a more aggressive cut, so chances are more irritation.

 

[njtnjt]

I read up on it as the steeper angles give a more aggressive cut, so chances are more irritation.

Yes - I am very new to this straight razor shaving. I really went after the stubble under my nose yesterday and received some razor rash for my trouble. I figured out that it was because I was holding the blade at almost 90 degrees to the skin and then scraping away as I had seen done on some videos. It was very effective but must be done with an incredibly light touch.

 

[buca3152]

Yes - I am very new to this straight razor shaving. I really went after the stubble under my nose yesterday and received some razor rash for my trouble. I figured out that it was because I was holding the blade at almost 90 degrees to the skin and then scraping away as I had seen done on some videos. It was very effective but must be done with an incredibly light touch.

I dont know about that! My shaves got better and irritation is non existent after i made a conscious effort to lower the angle til it just cut. I use straights. The edges remain sharp for weeks as opposed to less than a week. YMMV as always.

 

[njtnjt]

I dont know about that! My shaves got better and irritation is non existent after i made a conscious effort to lower the angle til it just cut. I use straights. The edges remain sharp for weeks as opposed to less than a week. YMMV as always.

By 90 degrees I mean the blade was pointing straight down into my whiskers and skin. A tricky way to shave for sure. I agree with you that holding the blade parallel to my skin is the way to go. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Slash McCoy]

A good basic angle is where there is a gap of one spine thickness between the spine and the face. But try shallower angles before steeper ones. And an ATG pass should be with the spine nearly touching. YMMV as always.