Find the Proper Angle With Any Razor! 

You didn't CLEAR THE RUNWAYS!?!?!

Your videos are awesome and I'm finally getting the shave I always wanted with no soreness. I'm 44yrs old and been shaving since I was about 15yrs old and I've struggled with razor burn on my neck for years and years. I used to shave with a very expensive rechargeable Braun Electric Razor which made my neck sore, I think due to the friction. Then I started to wet shave with shaving foam and multiblade razors, from Gillette 3 blade to 5 blades and more recently the Wilkinson Sword Fusion 5. Still, I had a sore red neck which meant I could only shave no more than twice a week as the day after I could hardly touch my neck due to soreness and that also using Shaving Balms etc. Well, In less than a week of shaving with my new Merker Futur DE safety razor the soreness and redness has just about gone. After the 1st shave, I used blade position 1 - 2 and now for the second shave I'm on 3. Awesome. I use the Proraso White Pre-shave, Proraso Green or Red shaving foam (with a Muhle Synthetic Silver Tip Badger Brush). I do 3 passes, finishing off with a Warm and then cold rinse, then a rub with an Alum Block and then the Proraso white aftershave balm. Wow, stunning. Baby soft and smooth, no soreness at all (even straight after and during the shave) and the results are good for about 1.5days for me. So at last, i'm shaving every other day with no soreness and razor burn. I can't believe the difference and makes me puzzled why the cartridge shave was ever invented as the blades are silly expensive and the results were never good for me and left me sore. Oh, and incredibly I've not cut myself yet either. Thanks so much for sharing all your advice in the amazing and informative way you do. Shaving has gone from being a painful chore to a pleasant experience. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and I know he has an old safety razor he used to use still in his old bedside cabinet. I'm going to ask my mother if I can have it, so I can clean it up and involve a bit of my father's spirit in my shaving routine. Guys, if you haven't tried it yet and suffer...... Give it a go, it's so nice. PS. I before starting I also bought and used a bottle of PFB Vanish and used it on my Razor burn neck area for a few days before I started. It's doing a great job and I use a little on my neck an hour or so after my shave and it seems to be reducing it brilliantly. Sorry for the long comment, but I had to share my experience. Take care and keep em coming.

I feel like I'm learning to shave all over again since switching to a safety razor. Nick's and cuts everywhere, it's a blood bath lol. I'll get it eventually.

hey geo thanks to your videos I got a wet shaving kit and had my first shave I love it and it's helped my skin right off the bat thank you

Thanks Geo. Much of my DE shaving technique I learned from your videos. And since I've learned the sweet spots on the razors I have, I don't get nicks and cuts nearly as often, almost never on my neck. And not as much irritation.

Seven-year-old video and this is the best one I've found on angles for a noob like me. You're awesome

Thanks for this. Going to be trying the DE89BL as I was really impressed by your review on it. It's going to be my first time using a non cartridge razor and was a bit concerned that I would damage my face. Watching this video gave me the idea on how to achieve the 30 degree angle. Wish me luck :)

great video as always. ..thanks for all the info..keep up the great work!

Wish I had found this video sooner! Nailing the "sweet spot" where you can simultaneously feel the safety bar, blade and top cap made all the difference in the world! First time I was able to shave the underside of my chin without serious irritation. Also gave your "figure 8" pattern for applying lather a try and I loved it! Thank you so much.

Hi Jim Happy Easter! You still the BEST!

Thanks for the video, Geo. I always find them informative.

I noticed you have a nice firm wrist and rely on arm movement mostly. I applied that to my technique and wow. I think I'm getting it. This eight year old video is still gold.

Thanks for explaining angle. None of the many videos I watch actually covered it. They just kept saying 30 degrees but didn't say it was 30 degrees from perpendicular. I was thinking it was when the blade was parallel then I moved in 30 degrees which was not good.

I already know how to wet shave. Why am I still watching guys shave!?

Great tip about the angles! I could see immediate improvement with two first passes. No irritation. I am new to a safety razor and with having in mind only the theory about 30 degree angle, first two shaves were terrible a lot of nicks and irritation. Now it's getting better right away.

Well done Geo must say. I have been shaving with Des for about 6 years but until recently had challenges especially with the R41. So, when I checked this video I went ahead and tried it. Man does it work! I love it now even the R41 became almost as comfortable as the progress.

This helped abit for me personally regarding the sideburns, i owe a Mühle R-89 so it wasent too easy seeing what i was doing.

I am only on shave 5 . His is what I really need to learn . Thanks .

I see all those Proraso products on that back shelf. Love me some Proraso.

Thank you for helpful video. Much appreciated it! Keep up good work.

Did my first full shave with a shavette tonight, it was just a cheap Parker black handle shavette. Used a Gillette Nacet blade, (I gotta try this in my safety razor it may be close to the silver blue),I did 2 pass using B&M spice soap. Turned out a closer shave than I thought it was at first. Only a couple nicks that alum block stopped. Next shave I test my homemade soap, with my safety razor I got less alum feedback of my soap than the B&M,(don't get me wrong I love that soap, the reserve spice smells and works great). But I think my omitting some things they use my be the factor, gotta test my own soap against it and see lol. But you give great info on this shaving style, I've definitely left cartridges, not sure if I'll be a safety razor guy, straight razor guy or both yet though. So far either way I go is good, I find the ritual relaxing, and it inspired me to try my hand at soap making, now just need a few besides me testing my soaps, I even render my own tallow to make the soaps, have to buy stearic though.. Lol.

Well explained. As usual. Keep it up Geo. A must watch for all newbies.

After watching several videos from your channel and others I've learned a lot. I recently started using DE razors, what I did was practice with no blade to find the right angle. That helped a lot.

I like how the blade so Sharp clean shave. Perfect!

Thanks for the video, it is very useful. I subscribed to your channel few days ago. Wish you all the best. Greetings from Italy

Excelente cátedra de afeitado.Gracias.

Great video Geo! Always wondered about how you found angles with straight razors. I stick to that fine Merkur you sold me. Maybe some time you can do a video on the spacing differences in adjustable razors?

Great videos thanks. you make everything look so easy.

Awesome video Geo, thanks.

Thanks for this, the part with the safety razor going against the grain on the neck was particularly useful for me.

This was helpful! I don't know if you check comments on older videos and I haven't seen this covered in a newer video, but what I struggle with most since switching to a double-edged safety razor is both the razor angle and direction on the corners of my mustache area. I find that either I'm left with it feeling stubbly even after I've shaved it, or I end up butchering that part of my face. I can't seem to find that sweet spot in between.

I've been safety razor shaving fot almost a year and I always thought it was 30° from the center of the razor! I can't wait to shave again at 30° from the edge and see wht difference it makes.

Not going to lie, this has saved my face. I bought a safety razor because I get ingrows with every other razor, but I had no idea exactly how to go about it. Thanks for the clarification, now i just need some really good shaving cream. The one i have isn't cutting it.

@geofatboy, this video is very informative, unfortunately I saw your video after figuring my problem out. I had been shaving with a safety razor for years due to my dad showing me proper way to shave. Unfortunately, I was using the wrong angles the entire time!!! It wasn’t until I started shaving with a straight razor That I figured out the right safety razor angles. I had a light bulb moment. Now I use straight razor & DE razor and have 0 irritation, cuts etc. I only cut myself when I rush. To anyone watching this, if you have irritation, that means your angle is wrong and you are scraping like Geo said. I only use feathers for both straight & de razors.

Great video! Stupid question. Does it matter which way the blade goes in the razor? Thanks!

FANTASTIC VIDEO. I've shaved DE but was a little nervous about a straight ... CUT-THROAT LOL... razor .Like with the DE the angle is fairly easy to find. That 'scraping' sound and the comfort as the beard came off also helped to clue me in. The next biggest challenge was to find out HOW -... in which direction my beard was growing and where certain 'patches' of beard needed a little extra attention. ANYWAY...THANKS...you've helped make me ALOT BRAVER about trying different shaving methods😄

Geo, your warehouse is a wet shaver's heaven. I wish I lived in your town so I could visit every month :)

You make it look so easy. I guess it will take me time. Just had my first DE shave on Monday.

Good video, thank you. I have been shaving with Bic's and Shick SE's for some time, but find DE's a bit perplexing. I think because my angle is scraping too much. It would be great to be able to master a DE, the blades are cheaper and more readily available. So I'm going to try this out tomorrow with my Tech.

Should I hear it removing hair, or am I scraping then? 🤔 Thanks for your videos and products.

Excellent job - thank you!

Have to say a huge Thank you from the uk been watching for a while now and enjoying the best shave ever ... Shame the shipping would be a joke from the US to the UK

I love that Japanese razor. It's the first one I bought after using a safety razor for a few years. Gives a great shave. Still manage to cut myself around the moustache area most of the time though, haha.

Hi can you shave with a cut throat razor one handed I have pins in left arm n wrist an can't hold my hand to stretch the skin. Cheers for any advice Pete

Happy new year to you)

wow brilliant man , tried this , it works absolutely beautiful , thankyou so much 👌👌👍👍

geo, great video as always! I notice you been using the 38c a lot more in your videos. How do you like that razor? I only have 2 safety razors the 38c and a '78 super speed (my birth year razor). I love the 38c such a forgiving razor. In my opinion the 38c is best paired with a Personna med prep, Wilkinson sword, or a Gillette 7 O'Clock super stainless. Thanks for the great videos! If it wasn't for your videos I would not be shaving with a safety razor.

While using a straight razor, the most important action is to stretch your skin. As long as we get old, our skin should be going down because of a gravity. That's why stretching your skin will help. Which way we should stretch the skin, it depends on the directions each beard grows. I'm professional barber but I can't use both hands like the way Geo did👏✨💈

For neck do I bring my razor slightly up like my cheek?

Thanks for this.

Brilliant many thanks

Could you do a video on after shaves or moisturizers and the best ones for the money?

Thanks for making these videos and introducing new shavers to the old ways of lather and blade. 😃❤️ Personally, I started shaving at about 14 or 15. Initially I had a Philipps electric shaver. Try as I might, that thing always gave me a razor burn straight out of hell. That horrible machine went in the bin pretty quickly. I then went to a cheap plasticky safety razor (I was 15 and had little money, ok?) and it was absolute heaven compared to this nasty noisy POC from before. I have since also used a folding straight razor and upgraded the cheap safety razor to a shiny, nice and heavy Merkur razor and never ever looked back. Yes, I have also used cartridge razors. IMO they produced a good enough result, but the refill prices are just ridiculous and their use is out of the question for that reason. The added convenience is just not worth the extra cost. Not to mention the extra waste. Guys/Gals, if you are new to shaving, do yourselves a favor and get a good safety razor, a 100 pack of blades and a really good shaving cream/soap and you’re set for a very, very long time. A good razor will last a lifetime if taken care of properly. Also, you will only need to buy a new pack of blades every other year (if that). You can thank geofatboy (and me, possibly) later.

Another great video geo! Thank you for sharing brother :)... you have beautiful eyes bro! you should consider modeling for Visine!!!

I've seen other videos where you put the top of the razor against your face, then rotate down until the safety bar makes contact with your skin to achieve the right angle.. is that a viable technique also?

Pitching up from the safety bar side, the first angle that cuts hair is likely to take more skin than necessary. I think what you're trying to get at, is that one can feel when the pitch is right. Unfortunately, some of us will need to access lower angles, and hold skin back behind every stroke. If you found cartridges painful, in particular: start from the cap side, pretend it's the straight razor.

what is your go to safety razer and why?

Some have the turkey neck sitiation going on/ happens w age to various degrees. I dont cut myself on my cheeks but do cut the turkey neck can u do a vid for turkey neck mo fo’s?

Thanks a lot! Now I'm baby smooth:)

hey geo. it's been a long time i last watched your videos. i learend a lot from you and found my own prefferences. basicaly all i know about shaving is thanks to you. i just wanted to say that all wet shavers preffer to shave with hot water. what i discovered while learning how to shave (and i still do) is that because i have sensistive skin and wire like hard beard i reduce skin irritation like this: during the winter when is cold i use cold water, and during the summer i use hot water. my skin gets less irritated and i see that when i use alum block. almost no burning. if someone has the same problem you can try this. it works for me and my skin feels good when i'm done shaving

With a straight razor you need to sharpen it on leather is that correct ?

For a DE... Do you have any opinions on going from razor handle perpendicular to face and then slowly bringing it down (i.e. Riding the top cap)?

Thanks and i like all your vedio

great video

+geofatboy do you send your products to europe?

Hey Geo, I was wondering if you could do a review of a shave set that I tend to see in a few pharmacies. It's from a company called Van Der Hagen. It comes with a brush, a shave bowl and a shave puck. I'm wondering how you would feel about it. Just a request! :) ( I tend to see them in CVS, Kroger, and a few Wal Marts here and there.)

Geo! Shave review for the Fatip Piccolo please.

My beard is so thick and course and dark no matter what I do wtg xtg then atg I can never get very close shave it’s little smoother with cart but still rough in some places barber couldn’t even get me bbs he told me to just grow a beard lol

One of the most important videos on shaving... You should redo this.

which razor(s) gives the most sound feedback, i find those very satisfying...

I do a much steeper angle to get the blade more parallel with the skin

Just tried the angles you recommended with my basic safety razor. I can't even count how many bleeders I have, at least thirty, probably more.

Hey geofatboy you could make a good Elvis Impersonator !!!,,,, If you dressed up in one of the jump suit he used to ware with a long sideburn wigs and the aviator glasses you would look just like him.

Paul Rudd's crazy shaving twin... do you have a video on when it is time to resharpen a straight razor

Geo Which shaving method do you prefer?

Hi Geo, how about an new video as a Christmas gift for your fans? Merry Christmas and a Happy new year :-) Werner

Kindly arrange to dispatch the 1# Proraso Red Shaving cream & 1# Pre Shave cream to me....

Hello, I just got into De razors and got my first one (De89) along with an arko soap and a semogue 1250 (boar brush) and I would like some help.I'm struggling getting a nice lather: I usually dip the brush in water while I shower, then I squeeze it once to remove some water and then I proceed to load the brush. It loads really well but then, when I apply it to my face, I can't get a nice lather. I tried different motions or adding more water but I get a really thin lather everytime ( I can almost see my skin underneath ). I feel like the more I use the brush, the more it scraps off the lather off my face. To counter this I just use it as a painting brush. What am I doing wrong ?

Dear Geo, "Increase a few degrees to rid of the hairy debris" Best wishes The Admiral

Oh, so I just tilt slightly? Well isn't that great?

Pedro Bear, Since there is no option for me to reply to your comment, I'll do it here: Didn't even notice it till you mentioned it. Are you insinuating something?

at 3:22 it looks like he stabbed his neck kind of haha if i would have done that my skin would have been cut lmfao. great video!

so it's actually 60 degrees not 30

looks more like a 60º angle

did you get razor burn after this video? haha

You seem to be shaving in a disused coal bunker Geo, what's happening?

Обожаю твой канал! Супер! Сам бреюсь только безопасными бритвенными станками! Ты молодец! А теперь американец ответь на мой вопрос! Кто победит на выборах: Трамп или Клинтон?

I shave my girlfriends private part , but she will not let me use my safety razer . I don't blame her . I am just happy I can help out. Lol

Avoid Sterling soaps...customer service is bad...two weeks to ship...

Perhaps make the video without speaking and then re-dub back in the directions and explanations. Would be easier and faster.

What about a disposable blade. That is what the majority of men shave with? I don't know of anyone who shaves with one of those.