I thought angle terminology was standard by now. Razorock talks about the shaving angle of some of their razors, but they say it is the angle between the handle and your face, which is wrong. It is supposed to be the angle of the razor head to your face. Actually, saying it is the angle of the blade to your face is misleading, since no matter what the geometry of the razor head is, the optimal angle of the blade to your face is a function of the blade, and not the razor. For example, "shaving steep" means a "steep angle", or a larger angle of the razor head to your face. Riding the bar is probably the best way to say it, since this eliminates any confusion on the part of the reader. "Shaving shallow" means a "shallow angle", or a smaller angle of the razor head to your face. This is also called "riding the cap." For a given blade, you might need to ride the cap with one razor, but ride the bar with another. The angle of the blade to your face should be the same in both cases, assuming you've hit the optimal angle for the blade, in a perfect world. For me, it's gotten to the point than unless someone specifically states how they are estimating the angle, I can't assume that they are using what I thought was now the standard definition: the angle between your face and the razor head.
The more I read around the net, the more I'm convinced that many people get the angles mixed up. This is not because I'm familiar with the razor they may be discussing, but because of the context in which the angle is mentioned. The only time I really would like to know the best angle to use is before I use or purchase the razor. It is easy enough to figure it out yourself when shaving. I sometimes wonder why people would keep using the same angle during a shave if it is either not cutting or feeling harsh and causing irritation. But that's apparently what some people do. Another theory I've developed -- for a razor that you are unfamiliar with, it is better to start using it by riding the cap and then adjusting, rather than riding the bar first. If it requires a steep angle, the worst thing that can happen is that it does not cut shallow. If it requires a shallow angle, starting steep can cause cuts and irritation. Think about it. And perhaps to state the obvious -- riding the cap or bar does not necessarily mean doing it for the entire shave. It is a just a starting point to help guide you to the best angle. So you may start by riding the cap and then discover that the razor shaves better steep. Shaving is easier than launching the space shuttle.
Yes, I've rode the bar with some razors, but it is not a pancea. That's a pic of a Parker 99R above -- that thing will lance your face if you're not careful and start out very steep.
Engineering rules.... #10. All absolute constants are variable. #11. Everything should always be adjusted persisly within its tolerances. #12. All listed voltages, resistance, and mechanical measurements are only an approximation to its true working values. Well... tp
Perfect example of how angle terminology gets mixed up, though I see this is 9 years old. This infamous guy doesn't say shallow or steep, but his "way too much" angle is what we now call shallow, and his "way too little" angle is what we now call steep. This is similar to my point about the use of the term "rocket" incorrectly. There are just too many mistakes that have been already made across the internet, where people say the opposite of what they mean in terms of angle. Same as when people talk about "tolerances." A high or large tolerance is bad. What people mean is a "tight" tolerance. Or the use of the term "high" odds. Your odds of winning the lottery are quite high. That's not a good thing, actually. If the odds were low you would have a better chance of winning. You should say that your "chances" of winning the lottery are low. If the odds of a horse winning a race pays 100 to 1, it is highly unlikely he will win the race. His chances are low, but the odds for a bet are high. But I digress... Also, yet another bearded guy trying to tell us how we should shave...
