Everything you need to know about shaving angles

The angle you hold a safety razor at is the one of the one important parts of your shaving technique. Despite how simple the concept is, shaving angle generates a lot of confusion and debate. In this video, we're clearing up all the nonsense and giving a clear-cut answer on exactly how shaving angles work, how to find the ideal angle, and how to use angle to your advantage.
00:00 Intro
00:44 Shaving Angles Explained
03:00 Shaving Angle Rules
05:15 Safety Bar Pivot Tip
07:00 Outro
www.blacklandrazors.com
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[@don4476]

"You get there by experimenting." Key quote.

[@kma5699]

Very informative and better explanation than anything I've ever heard or read before! I've heard these terms interchangeable and even opposite of what they mean, ride the bar, ride the cap, shallow angle steep angle etc. Thanks again Shane.

[@quinnhawkinson894]

Huge thank you! I really appreciate that you make videos that are applicable in real world. Love what you guys stand for. Great job!

[@ShahryarSaigol]

The safety bar is what makes a razor a safety razor. Mr Gillette intented the safety bar to act as the maximum angle limiter. The user then adjusts the angle to become more acute to get a closer shave. The method of putting the cap flat agains the skin and then opening up the angle is just backwards.

[@blacklandrazors]

While using the safety bar as a pivot works for most razors and most users, we aren’t bound by the intentions of the inventor from over a century ago. If top cap first against the skin works for better for a user with a certain razor, it’s not backwards.

[@ShahryarSaigol]

​@@blacklandrazorsSee comment by @66racer. He started with the safety bar. Mr G was right all along. Your chances of bleeding are higher if you start with the cap. All DE razors and razor blades are just copies of Gillette's original design.

[@eugeneberry9841]

Thank you for a very good video and explanation.

[@bobjones8321]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@bradleycred99]

Howdy, Shane! This vid provided very useful shaving angle tips. Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@chadr1856]

this really helped me! i’ve been shaving w/ what you’ve shared in mind for abt a week now and it’s allowed me to to get super close, daily shaves against the grain w/ no irritation! you’ve srsly freed my mornings, thank you

[@blacklandrazors]

That's awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@WallyPankowski-wd8gb]

Shane, damn now I have to return my protractor to Amazon :). Great informational video. I am relatively new and the angle discussion has been very frustrating.. Your tips are very helpful and I will certainly use it with the new Blackbird Ti, when it arrives.

[@RaktajinoNX-74205]

Speaking truths here - I play around with that works for me and stick to it. No need to create a problem out of nothing 😂

[@Slapo007]

I think it might be worth adding that one can also use the top cap in a similar way to how the video shows safety bar pivot. Basically, putting the razor to skin top cap first and then tilting it until the blade actually starts shaving hair. It's how I use my safety razors (combined with the Gillette slide), as I find it smoother and more efficient, and then I go for a shallower angle using the safety bar pivot around my pointy chin, jaw and moles, as it's usually a bit easier to see where I'm leading the blade that way, and a lesser chance of leading the blade into tissue by accident.

[@madhatter5331]

You hit the nail on the head, I've been riding the top cap also kinda like you mentioned, and that works well for adjusting the blade angle without gauging your skin. Trial and error, eventually with the basics down, it will be a natural process to shave. Takes time to get it right and it's worth it. I take every piece of advice to see what happens.

[@bobjones8321]

Excellent video, thank you. Just subscribed.

[@blacklandrazors]

Thanks, Bob! Welcome :)

[@bobjones8321]

@@blacklandrazorsIt’s great to be here.

[@Birodalom1]

Fixed angle razors (like the Henson) have never worked for me. Maybe that angle is perfect for 99% of people, but for my skin and stubble it's just ineffective. One of the best things about safety razors is that I can adjust them to my preferences.

[@blacklandrazors]

Exactly!

[@hestermanfan]

Super helpful video, thank you Shane and team! One suggestion - could you put these animations on the website for each Blackland razor? For example, I totally feel that a shallower angle on the Blackbird will engage the blade more, but with the Vector, I find the opposite

[@blacklandrazors]

Thank you for your feedback! We might, but these principles aren't model-specific and the angles of each razor is better found than explained. Our goal with this video is for users to ignore manufacturer suggestions and find the best angle that works for them.

[@hestermanfan]

@@blacklandrazors totally fair and understood. I’m more just talking about the actual geometric facts eg - shallower = more blade engagement, steeper = less blade engagement. That’s not to be prescriptive over which will work better for any given customer, but just to help give someone a starting point

[@terrellking4174]

@@blacklandrazors would u recommend safety razors for head shaving

[@JustSayRance]

Since I'm black I have a hard time not ending up with a rash. But hey, the I've got the Vector now and I'm more hopeful than ever!

[@blacklandrazors]

Let us know how it goes! We have many Black customers who have had excellent results avoiding irritation and ingrown hairs with the Vector. Hopefully you have the same experience! Keep us posted because we’re always looking to learn from our customers. Thanks for giving the Vector a shot!

[@drytool]

I put the razor at a 90 deg angle to my skin and tilt it until the blade engages, giving me the most shallow shearing angle possible. Curved top caps give me the finest tuning for this, whereas flat top caps give me 1 angle with a hard break in either direction. Does this philosophy make sense or am I missing something?

[@blacklandrazors]

Nope you've got it right! You can also try going from the safety bar side and pivoting that way. Two approaches to a similar result. It really depends on the razor. For example, the Blackbird is best with the top cap first approach, while our Dart was better using the SB as a pivot.

[@drytool]

@@blacklandrazors I'm absolutely loving the Vector!! I'm saving up for the Vector Ti now as I am a titanium nerd in general and also want the absolute maximum level of pressure control.

[@blacklandrazors]

That’s great to hear! Thank you for your support! The Vector Ti is an amazing tool.

[@enricovenesia6368]

Please can you give me an output forecast of the adj razor

[@blacklandrazors]

No updates here. That's what the adjustable video series is for. We'll have another episode soon!

[@66racer]

Sorry new to this, so I should "ride" the safety bar to adjust the angle and not the cap? I'm still looking for the right angle on my Razor and was not sure of this.

[@blacklandrazors]

You can adjust angle from either point. Start with the safety bar and see if that gets you where you want to go. If not, try pivoting from the top cap.

[@66racer]

@@blacklandrazors this morning's shave was the first time I tried using the safety bar as my pivot point and it happened to be my first irritation free shave! It was much easier feeling the blade engage that way!! My Rex Envoy and Goodfellas' Syntesi Velvet both felt great today! Was so happy with today's shave, can't wait for many more like this. I'm gonna show my thanks by buying a Razor from you guys.