Printable View
I have been shaving with a safety razor for years so I already had all that stuff including brushes and creams. Decided about 8-9 weeks ago to try straight razor shaving. I heard somewhere that a 5/8 is a good place to start. Found a cool old Clauss 5/8 razor at Bob's and started shaving. I'm thinking now about buying another razor and thinking maybe a bigger one. Any advice will be appreciated.
Welcome to the forum. Well you know what they say - bigger is better! :)
But that's a load of Texas propaganda :). Get whatever size you want. There is no right answer. Get the one you love. I have tried quite a few sizes. I settled on 4/8's. It's whatever.
How many times have you used the 5/8 you have? Do you feel you're proficient with a straight razor. If not I wouldn't introduce a second blade yet. If your doing very well with technique and shave results then try whatever appeals to you.
It isn't that we say bigger is better. We say It's bigger and better in Texas. :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
Ok so I was thinking about this a bit more and maybe... well, they claim that a larger blade with its added weight help make for a smother shave as the weight allows for a looser grip as "the blade does more of the work." Which is what you want (looser grip).
Of course on the flip-side, some find that the larger blades are harder to wield. This can make shaving tight area's a little more challenging.
There are certainly characteristics to each size. Unfortunately, I really don't think anyone can answer what will be of more use to you, the maneuverability of a smaller blade, or the heft of a larger blade. It's one of those things you're going to kind of have to figure out for yourself.
Again - welcome to SRP. And welcome to straight shaving.
Of course lol - wrong cliche :)!! Thanks for the looking out :)!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirtexan
I have shaved with this razor every day for the last 9 weeks. I wouldn't say I'm proficient but am now shaving my whole face and not using the safety razor around my lips any more. That is the hard spot for me.
The only way to know if you'll like a bigger blade is to buy one. I have 4/8 thru 7/8 and I like the 5/8 the best. But I wouldn't have know that if i didn't try the other sizes.
Then there is the issue of which grind :)Quote:
Originally Posted by kettlebell
5/8 and 6/8 make up most of my collection with a few larger blades. I don't use the larger blades as much as the smaller ones, I do have a 3/8 that gets almost no use at all, it is just too small for me
I do think 5/8s is a good place to start.
Mine is a 5/8 but I have also never used another size. I heard 6/8 was a happy medium to start but for me personally, I am glad I got the 5/8. It's really easy for me to handle, and I would love to get a 6/8 for my next razor just to see the difference.
I like my 6/8 - they all shine one way or another. 5/8 is good middle ground
I started with 5/8 and then bought 6/8. That was almost 5 years ago and I now own 4/8 up to almost 1 inch. I have to say it is a personal thing. I have 24 razors in my rotation and use a different one every day. Most are vintage (19), but some are new production (5 are less than 10 years old) and most are in the 5/8 to 6/8 range. I like to shave with them all, but would say 6/8 would be my favorite size as it seems just right to me. Now that I've been shaving for a while and have tried many different razors, I don't find much of a difference in shave quality due to size of razor all other things being equal. My advice is same as that given by others, try some different sizes to figure out what you like best.
I think that the size 5/8 and 6/8 the most convenient.
Any size. I go in 4/8, 5/8 and 6/8 spells.
Now, if hand-catching rattlesnakes or big catfish appeals, square points and plenty of styptic is interesting; otherwise I suggest a round point to keep your confidence level high for a while.
A 6/8 is about the middle ground for razors. Good luck!
A 5/8 or 6/8 is the general rule, most razors these days are of the 5/8 size due to popularity. I would start at the 5/8.
Good luck, have fun and welcome to SRP!
Thanks guys for the good feedback. I think I'll be on the lookout for a 6/8 and try that.
Yes, to me the grind has made more of a difference in feel than the size. 5/8 or 6/8 (IMO) seems to be barely noticable, but hollow vs. wedge definitely feels different, and everyone has their own preference. Unfortunately, it's not as easy to find the heavy grinds in new razors so you'll have to do a little digging if you want to go that route.Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
I've found this to be true, I prefer my 6/8 razors to my 5/8" razors as the extra heft seems to give a little more momentum to each pass. This means the 6/8" doesn't catch as often when taking on heavier growth areas like my chin. A heavier grind helps again. (Having read what I've just written I really should try a full wedge sometime but they aren't all that common down my neck of the woods.) As far a the larger blades being less maneuverable go I find that most things on my face move enough to allow a 6/8" in. Of course, it's good to have both;)
Welcome to SRP too.
[Oops, didn't reply with quote. Doesn't make much sense without this -
Ok so I was thinking about this a bit more and maybe... well, they claim that a larger blade with its added weight help make for a smother shave as the weight allows for a looser grip as "the blade does more of the work." Which is what you want (looser grip).]
Trial and error again. I like a 5/8 full hollow ground spike point:)Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
Take small steps, a 5/8 then a 6/8 then a 7/8 then an 8/8.
Then you can decide what you like best.
I prefer the 6/8. I started with a 5/8 but prefer the heft of the 6/8. For me the 6/8 glides better and feels more comfortable to hold and use. I also prefer a extra hollow ground blade. Experimentation is the key. Try a few and if you don't like them you can sell them on without really losing money.
Enjoy :)
Count my vote for 6/8
I also have razors that range from 4/8 to the 8/8 and I shave with them all at one time or the other, but my favorite one is still the Red Injun 100 that a friend sent me to practice honing. you to will acquire more razors but one will stand out. if you buy one for every day of the week all the same size and brand one will eventually stand out. with that said I'll leave with this GOOD SHAVING!:tu
New guy question here. I've been shaving with a double-duck I bought about 30 years ago. I've used it on and off, mostly off, but I'm wondering how I tell what size it is? I've read this and other threads and you all talk about 5/8, 6/3, etc. What does that mean? What do I measure on my razor to match it up with one of those sizes? FYI, it's hollow ground, and square on the end. I'm sure it's not as sharp as it should be, but I'm able to shave fine with it. Now sure how good it could be as I've never had it professionally sharpened. Being a rabid do-it-myself-er...
DIYMeister
sounds a lot like me. you measure from the top of the spine down to the cutting edge and that will tell you what size. if you've been on and off shaving with it it probably could use a pro honing. Have you watched any of the videos on utube about shaving with a straight. there are several out there by different men who really are good at demonstrating this particular art. the one I have watched the most is Lynn Abrams videos. the classifieds hear at straight razor place have venders that hone for the public. the first 3 off the top of my head are Lynn Abrams Maximillian and gssixgun any of these guys are great and there are more some may be in your location. sounds like a good razor double ducks are a brand that most want. I have 4 and love them. welcome to the straight razor place there are many people here that are well versed in straights and are more than willing to help. a real good bunch of guys. on the straight razor place home page there are links that will answer some of your questions and in more detail than I can. it is real informative. just give it a go I think you'll like it. I have a tendency to ramble on. welcome to the placeQuote:
Originally Posted by DIYMeister
Looks like it was originally a 6/8, but it's about 1/32" shy of that now. Does that make it a 23/32? :) In the past I used a white hard arkansas, about 1000 grit, and a black hard arkansas, about 2000 grit, to sharped it. I always thought the black took a heck of a long time to clear the marks from the 1000 grit stone, and after lots of reading here and on other forums, I know why. I had no idea there was anything else besides natural stones. FYI, one side of each of these stones has never been used for anything but this razor. After all my recent reading and Youtube watching, I ordered a Norton 4k/8k, prep stone, and some 1 micron diamond spray, and I have to tell you, the edge is now looking much better. After resetting the bevel (with the 4k, took a while) all the scratch marks from years past are gone and all I see with a 10x loupe are small, even scratches. I think they are from the 4k, as they seem to be slowly disappearing as I spend more time with the 8k side of the Norton. I'll probably send it out at some point, or order a new one that comes ready to shave, so I have something to compare.
This is a great forum, and I have to say, every time I need information I am amazed at the resources we have at our fingertips nowadays. When I first bought my straight razor in the late '80s, there was NOTHING in the way of information except from the guy at the mall cutlery store where I bought it, which is to say, next to zilch. I can't believe how useful forums and Youtube are!
DIYMeister
I would still consider it a 6/8 and being a double duck a good razor. as far as stones goes each to there own. I prefer the nanawa SS stones. I get good results out of the 1K 3/8K and the 12K. there's one more of 20K but i'm afraid the cost is out my league. happy shaving
The most common SR is a 5/8 size but there is some other considerations. Some suggest that a 6/8 is the beginners razor but in my experience a medium hollow ground grind is a thing to consider above sizes. If you say that the upper lip is a trouble zone then you must stick to that 5/8 or even consider a 4/8 razor. I mention the grind because, the stiffer the blade, the more attention to the shaving process.