Shaving with a knife

B

bSquirrel

Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
190
Ok, so I've gotten my knives "shaving sharp." What angle should I use to test whether they can actually shave, and hypothetically, if I found myself in a situation without a razor, what angle would I use to shave my face? Would these angles be different? the angle to see if you can can shave your arm dry and the angle to shave your face when you have shaving cream and whatnot?
 
What, you mean like in a Black Angus ad?

...Sorry, I couldn't resist. I believe the old straight razors were used at a pretty steep angle, but one of the straight razor users on this site will answer your question better. I have to admit, I'm curious as well, but since I manage to occasionally wound myself with a Mach III, I can't say I'll be trying it any time soon. :D
 
I shaved with a SAK recently and found myself using a more obtuse angle towards my face than I first expected I'd need to use. I plan to sharpen a SAK flat to the stone soon and try that for shaving, as I'd expect the angle to feel more natural then.
 
What are you, a fairy? ;)

Just get in there and slash away like we real men do!

Be sure to post pictures.

maximus otter
 
bSquirrel said:
Ok, so I've gotten my knives "shaving sharp." What angle should I use to test whether they can actually shave, and hypothetically, if I found myself in a situation without a razor, what angle would I use to shave my face? Would these angles be different? the angle to see if you can can shave your arm dry and the angle to shave your face when you have shaving cream and whatnot?
Click to expand...

You're overthinking this way to much.
Use whatever angle you sharpened your knife with, and whatever angle obviously shaves the best.
 
Out of curiosity, what sort of hypothetical situation will you find yourself in where you're sans razor, absolutely need to shave that instant, and unable to pick up a $0.99 disposable Bic somewhere?
 
Shaving with a knife is too dangerous IMO! It's not the edge--it's the point. If you hear a sudden noise and jump when you get spooked, or if somehow you get startled in some other way, you could easily stab yourself in the side of the neck, and if you nick the carotid or jugular, it wouldn't take much to have a mess on your hands! :eek:
 
I heard people talk about shaving with their knife, but I can't imagine it being comfortable. I know with straigh razors, which have a much thinner and sharper edge than a knife, if they aren't properly honed and stropped they don't give a comfortable shave. So if a straight razor needs so much care to give a comfortable shave, is a knife even capable of doing so? Yeah, it may shave, but I would except some discomfort in the process and nasty razor burn, etc.
 
I posted in the toolshed forum a couple days ago about using my Manix to shave when in a pinch. It worked, but I did have it tree topping arm hairs sharp, and I was extremely careful with it and around the chin and jawline there were a couple high spots in those areas. I have a POS bottom of the line Norelco 3 head with only 2 of the heads remaining, it wasn't doing the job on my 2 day beard, so I used the Manix (my Fusion was out of blades). After I used the Manix I used the Norelco to level off the high spots, which it did an OK job of. Check in the toolshed forum if you want all of the details. Bottom line is I would rather use a real razor to shave with but a sharp knife will do in a pinch.
 
WadeF said:
I heard people talk about shaving with their knife, but I can't imagine it being comfortable. I know with straigh razors, which have a much thinner and sharper edge than a knife, if they aren't properly honed and stropped they don't give a comfortable shave. So if a straight razor needs so much care to give a comfortable shave, is a knife even capable of doing so? Yeah, it may shave, but I would except some discomfort in the process and nasty razor burn, etc.
Click to expand...

The SAK didn't give the best shave ever, but it wasn't uncomfortable either. It got as close as I needed, but took a while longer than a normal razor. One advantage is I didn't have to stop and rinse it off as much. I don't own a normal razor, I usually only shave once every couple of months, so a SAK works fine for me.
 
I put myself in a situation where i forgot to shave and while at the formal function, which i was presiding over, realized my mistake. I ended up using my MT SOCOM to shave in the bathroom. Like Vivi it didn't give me the smoothest shave but removed what i needed to be presentable. I don't recommend it but it worked. As far as angle goes. Whatever angle you can get your knife into with it working while not slicing your own throat. Seriously, when you are looking in the mirror with a large folder to your throat it is very hard to figure out angles against an irregular shaped object like a face. Folders are not the most nimble of blades to shave with. if you have to so be it but i now keep an extra razor in my car for times like above.
 
Padawan said:
Out of curiosity, what sort of hypothetical situation will you find yourself in where you're sans razor, absolutely need to shave that instant, and unable to pick up a $0.99 disposable Bic somewhere?
Click to expand...

+1:jerkit:
 
:rolleyes: Read above
Presiding over a funeral where I had no time to go get a razor and was already there. Real life- not hypothetical. Admittedly my own mistake but real nonetheless.
 
I shaved my face with my junglee sahara hr. back right after I grad. high school. I was working at the BK lounge at the time and the rules stated no facial hair; well I had a beard giong at that point (been working there for a while and hadnt shaved since I started). Store manager finally got pissed and told me to go in the bathroom and shave with a crappy, rusty disposable razor. Well I got p_ssed and whipped out my knife and shaved right there in front of him. Wasn't the greatest shave but I didn't cut myself.


...yes that was my younger and stupidier days... well maybe just younger :p


oh to answer your question, I had to use a fairly obtuse angle, and even on knives I've gotten sharper than that, they tend not to shave at the same angle they were sharpened at; at least not well. Just look at a disposable razor. You drag the blades across your skin, not slice them (that would turn out bad!)...
 
Out of curiosity, what sort of hypothetical situation will you find yourself in where you're sans razor, absolutely need to shave that instant, and unable to pick up a $0.99 disposable Bic somewhere?
Click to expand...

You are in a deer camp. You have been there for 3 weeks. You have had 7 beers after dinner.

SUDDENLY

A ....SHEEP.... sashays into camp.

NOW do you see?
 
Padawan said:
Out of curiosity, what sort of hypothetical situation will you find yourself in where you're sans razor, absolutely need to shave that instant, and unable to pick up a $0.99 disposable Bic somewhere?
Click to expand...

I forgot to shave before a job interview once and didn't have time to stop. My brother was driving and I shaved with my SAK. But I was 18 and my facial hair was sparse and thin back then. I wouldn't want to try it now. I probably could, if I had to, but I'd want my ZDP Calypso Jr.
 
Not quite shaving, but once I shaved in a hurry and I missed a few spots :o
When I realized, I was already at work, so I used my knife to "adjust" what was left of the face ;) The knife used was a Spyderco Calypso jr. (sharpened at 30°) and it performed very well.
 
Man! This is one funny thread! I must present the Bronze "funny post" to ... maximus otter, ... the Silver to, ... Padawan and the Gold to ... Lavan (you hurt me dude, I busted so hard I woke the wife n' kid and neighbors etc. etc. THANKS for a great start to my day.
WOOK
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top