Thread: 5/8 or 6/8?

Hi All,

I'm a DE wet shaver looking to try out a straight razor. I'd like to start off by asking opinions on 5/8 vs. 6/8 straights. I realize different people, techniques and faces will have different preferences but can someone please lay out some of the basic differences.

Thanks Much,

uid0

I've only been doing this for a few months, and I've now used 5/8 (it's old and maybe been honed down to 4/8?) and a 6/8, and the thinner blade is nice because I can see my ears when I'm working my sideburns.

It's also a little easier to control the thinner blade.

It doesn't make any difference for your first straight.

I like 6/8 more than 5/8 as a general rule.

5/8 for me tend to mean more cleaning of the blade, and they tend to be a little shorter in blade length, and tang width. The blade length is what I think I like the most on the 6/8 size you get about 1/2 an inch more blade. And that means I have less angle adjustment and less of my hands feeling like there in the way of where I'm looking in the mirror.

The benefit to 5/8 is you can get into tighter spaces, and the razor feels more like an extension of your fingers due to the smaller tang.



The real difference comes with the grind type.

Wedge = very heavy blade, often in larger sizer 6/8++. There like wielding a facial machete, If your beard is thick these things just drive through it.

Near Wedge = A little lighter than a full wedge, Easier to hone, Still scythe down hair regardless or density and thickness.

Half hollow = Stiff high weight blade that feels more nimble than the wedges, and retains some of the scything power. Much easyer to hone.

Full hollow = the regular grind. Easy to hone and manipulate, might struggle on the thickest beards.

Extra hollow/singing = super thin blade, it'll flex at the edge, They tend to be very lightweight, And take a lot of skill to hone because the pressure you apply to the blade can change the grind angle!

All grinds work well. Your face and style will take preference for 1 tho. So as a starter razor 5/6 or 6/8 full hollow should be what you aim for. If you have hands that are regarded as big, or you always feel like your hands are in the way with the shavette then go for a 6/8.

I have 4/8,5/8&6/8 in round&square points.The smaller blades are lighter other than that they all shave the same for me.

Without adding my thoughts on the controversial parts (grind), the guy w/ large hands will often find the larger, heavier shank easier to wield in a controlled manner. 6/8 seems to be the size where a larger blank is used (not always) - so if you take a glove size larger than "L" (like XL, XXL, etc) heft a few of the larger blades & see which is easier to hold and make fine movements with. The blades will shave equally well, but that doesn't mean the ergos are right for you.

Having tried them all I have settled on 6/8 as my favorite size with 5/8 the runner up. I have no use for smaller blades and will occasionally shave with larger blades, up to 10/8. I do have large hands so that influences my preferences.

I have been shaving with a straight for four years and 5/8 is my favorite size, but we took a poll some months ago and the majority of members preferred 6/8.

So based on that I would recommend that someone asking for advice start with the 6/8. Later on, when looking for a second razor, choose another size to help determine a personal favorite. You can go bigger or smaller.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Having tried them all I have settled on 6/8 as my favorite size with 5/8 the runner up. I have no use for smaller blades and will occasionally shave with larger blades, up to 10/8. I do have large hands so that influences my preferences.

Funny you mentioned the large hands. I have small hands and our preferences differ by only 1/8".

When I started and was struggling, I liked the big "meat choppers" because they seemed to make up for my lack of skill and got whiskers I couldn't get with the smaller ones. But as I began to figure it out, I began to appreciate the smaller, lighter sizes because they seemed more agile to me.

There is no lack of variables between personal tastes and what's available. That probably also explains why straight razor shaving never ceases to be fun.