Razor angles

[Magicpixie]

Hi,

I've been DE shaving for approx. 6 months now. I have used the Merkur HD, Slant and Futur. I like them all with a preference for the slant. While looking for new blades I took a chance on picking up a Ming Shui and a Weishi as I don't have any butterfly style razors. These weren't expensive so I thought I'd take a punt.

I used the Ming Shui yesterday (ok for the money - could see it as a travel razor) and felt that it had a very 'flat' angle, i.e. to get a good cutting action I needed to hold the razor handle almost parallel to the floor at a shallower angle than the Merkurs.

I prefer a steeper angle, with the razor handle held closer to the vertical. Based on that preference would anyone care to make a suggestion as to a razor type that fits the bill?

Cheers.

PS. I've been eyeing up some Gillette Fat Boys; I never thought I'd be interested in a used (sorry, vintage :001_smile) razor. What is a good price range for these? I also wonder if they too (as butterfly openers) have a flat angle of attack?

[Shave Cat]

Hi,

I've been DE shaving for approx. 6 months now. I have used the Merkur HD, Slant and Futur. I like them all with a preference for the slant. While looking for new blades I took a chance on picking up a Ming Shui and a Weishi as I don't have any butterfly style razors. These weren't expensive so I thought I'd take a punt.

I used the Ming Shui yesterday (ok for the money - could see it as a travel razor) and felt that it had a very 'flat' angle, i.e. to get a good cutting action I needed to hold the razor handle almost parallel to the floor at a shallower angle than the Merkurs.

I prefer a steeper angle, with the razor handle held closer to the vertical. Based on that preference would anyone care to make a suggestion as to a razor type that fits the bill?

Cheers.

PS. I've been eyeing up some Gillette Fat Boys; I never thought I'd be interested in a used (sorry, vintage :001_smile) razor. What is a good price range for these? I also wonder if they too (as butterfly openers) have a flat angle of attack?

The razor's angle of attack is determined by the curvature of the razor's head, which bends the blade and determines the angle at which the blade protrudes from the razor's head. Most of the newer TTOs have a lower head than the older ones. The Fatboys have the tallest head of any TTO I've seen. I've never used a Merkur, so I don't know the angles compare. Hope my limited experience helps.

-Clarke

[Magicpixie]

Thanks Clarke; very helpful.