I have been wetshaving for over a year and just started using a DE blade about a month ago. I decided to post this, since I notice that the best advice comes from fellow newbies since veterans are just "used to it".
I have read almost all the posts here on B&B about blade angle and pressure and I still didn't really know what the proper technique was since I always get razor burn and eventually razor bumps from scrapping my skin.
Alright, we all know that we need to keep the blade angle at about 30 degrees, and that we should think about it as "gliding the blade over the skin", etc... all these are great but I have discovered a technique by accident that I think really helps since it is very visual and easy to do.
What I did was I placed a piece of paper on a flat table (with some protection under it as to not scratch the table) and I simply ran a razor containing a blade over it, as if I am shaving the paper.
To my surprise, what I found immediately was that the blade angle I was using was causing the razor to tear or rip the paper since it was too steep. So I adjusted it so that the blade was as close as possible to the paper without ripping it. I ran the razor over the paper a dozen more times until it was flawless. Aim for shaving the paper without cutting it.
I am guessing that if you were to shave at the same angle that caused the razor to cut paper, then you would also be cutting your skin.
I then shaved while keeping this image in mind and I got a shave with much less irritation and razor burn.
I hope this helps fellow newbies out there who are still confused about blade angle and get razor burns.
I have read almost all the posts here on B&B about blade angle and pressure and I still didn't really know what the proper technique was since I always get razor burn and eventually razor bumps from scrapping my skin.
Alright, we all know that we need to keep the blade angle at about 30 degrees, and that we should think about it as "gliding the blade over the skin", etc... all these are great but I have discovered a technique by accident that I think really helps since it is very visual and easy to do.
What I did was I placed a piece of paper on a flat table (with some protection under it as to not scratch the table) and I simply ran a razor containing a blade over it, as if I am shaving the paper.
To my surprise, what I found immediately was that the blade angle I was using was causing the razor to tear or rip the paper since it was too steep. So I adjusted it so that the blade was as close as possible to the paper without ripping it. I ran the razor over the paper a dozen more times until it was flawless. Aim for shaving the paper without cutting it.
I am guessing that if you were to shave at the same angle that caused the razor to cut paper, then you would also be cutting your skin.
I then shaved while keeping this image in mind and I got a shave with much less irritation and razor burn.
I hope this helps fellow newbies out there who are still confused about blade angle and get razor burns.
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