What is the greatest/largest angle that can give a relatively comfortable facial shave? e.g. Can a refined 40 degree inclusive edge do this? I know straight razor edges are well under 20 degrees inclusive.
I give my straight razor to 15*/side … As it has a very thick spin . It may even be more like 17*/side… I’llccheck it withtthe anglec cube next time I sharpen it 
Unless I’m doing something wrong, 15*/ side = 30* inclusive. When I tip my angle cube to 30*, I measure that your razor spine would be something like 1 & 1/8 inch thick.
Make that 15°.
A recent video to explain the function of the angle cube. (smokeeater908)
aka - RobbieLathem.
http://wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=2&id=3469&Itemid=63
Not sure what you mean Billy. In reference to the spine thickness of the razor, 15 degrees per side x 2 sides = 30 degrees total for the spine thickness. So, if the razor were laying down with spine and edge touching stone as if it were going to be sharpened on a bench stone. And you propped up the angle cube on the spine and the stone, it would measure 30 degrees wouldn’t it?
I see where I went wrong, I was too far out along the edge of the angle cube when I measured for the spine thickness. When I took another look at things and considered the distance from spine to razor edge, the spine thickness is about that of a pencil when cube reads 30 degrees.
I was inches too far out when I took my initial measurement.
No, it would measure 15 degrees. You’re measuring the angle per side. If you laid the razor down, and was able to place the angle cube on the sharpened bevel that was facing up, then it would read 30 degrees.
I understand that the sharpened side edge would reflect 1/2 of total spine thickness.
I was trying to figure out how thick the would be based on REknives " thick spine "statement and estimated per side sharpening angle. I see the error in my initial figuring.
All that aside, still wondering what the greatest angle an edge can have and still give a ~ comfortable facial shave. I know edge refine -ment has a large role.
Well here’s an easy way to calculate the edge angle based off of the thickness of the spine…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjNtUHve0xk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Yeah I would say that the refinement of the edge is the biggest factor… 21*/side shouldn’t be an issue, why are you wondering?
Just curious from cowboy movies etc where shaving is done with their EDC. Wanted to know if it was feasible to have an edge sharp enough for shaving, yet durable enough for EDC.
Thanks for replies thus far, and REKnives please keep me posted on your razor angle.
I get knives plenty sharp and shiny . . .easily shave arm hair . . . But testing on dry facial stubble:woohoo: it shaves, just none too comfortable.
Maybe I should try a little lather.
So you’re not a “real” cowboy then? 
Never, ever in my life, have I punched a cow :woohoo:
Not comfortable to shave? You’re obviously not swinging it fast enough…
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Crazy Glue of course!
Stapler?
I’m a bit late to this subject. But it is also my experience that edge refinement is much more important than the angle. I once sharpened a Laguiole pocket knife at 20 degrees with a progression to 10K Chosera’s, followed by some stropping, and I had quite a smooth shave.
Mark
Glad you did post. Your empirical evidence is very helpful.
I’ve been putting an 8k Naniwa finish and stopping there. I’m staying
with or close to the mfg’s bevels for starters since it was suggested to me
that they know their steels strengths and bevel accordingly. Seemed reasonable to me.
So my thoughts were to fine tune / refine at that angle and see how sharp I could get the knives.
Your post gets me in the ball park and out on the field to play.
Grazie