Thread: Did I make a mistake by buying a 5/8 straight razor?

I thought I made a good first purchase from SRD but I just read somewhere in the library of this site that 6/8 was ideal for a first razor.

Did I make a mistake or is this a marginal deviation or an issue too subjective to render an opinion?

On a side note, Lynn mentioned that I would need a touch up rather than honing after a certain period of time.

What does this mean? I was a bit overwhelmed at the time and forgot to ask.

Take care,
Jason

My first razor was a 5/8. the size of the razor does not matter it's all about how you use it. Lol. and yes I know it's a little bit of a double entendre.

A 5/8 was my first. Perfect size to learn on I think. A touch up is just a light refresh of the razor on a high grit stone.

I forgot to mention this in my earlier post, don't forget to get yourself strop, pastes are optional.

Thanks for the replies. I bought a Ralf Aust razor/strop package from SRD. I upgraded to the 3" strop. It includes oil but no mention of paste.

Do I need paste?

Wow! This is indeed a steep learning curb.

Reminds me of the first time I went snow skiing. I wanted to try the blue run and ended up on a black diamond.

You shouldn't need anything but a strop and blade for a while if you strop right

Originally Posted by realdog4

I thought I made a good first purchase from SRD but I just read somewhere in the library of this site that 6/8 was ideal for a first razor.

Did I make a mistake or is this a marginal deviation or an issue too subjective to render an opinion?

On a side note, Lynn mentioned that I would need a touch up rather than honing after a certain period of time.

What does this mean? I was a bit overwhelmed at the time and forgot to ask.

Take care,
Jason

A 5/8 is a fine razor to start with...no problem!

My first, which I still use and will always have a place in my rotation is my Dovo Best Quality 5/8 half hollow grind. Perfect blade to start with IMO, the half hollow gives great feedback while still having the heft of a wedge-like blade.

I think what Lynn was referring to is a, "refresh" for your razor rather than a full honing. The bevel will be set on your blade, and as beginners, we tend to be harder on an edge with being new to shaving and stropping, so a refresh on a finishing stone, like a Naniwa 12k for example, brings the edge back to shave ready rather easily. Lynn has a great video on various ways you can, "refresh" the blade yourself.

Originally Posted by Substance

You shouldn't need anything but a strop and blade for a while if you strop right

Do you really strop between each pass?

I noticed your signature.

5/8 to 6/8 is good, and 5/8 is the de facto standard size for a razor - nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by realdog4

Do you really strop between each pass?

I noticed your signature.

You do not need to strop between each pass but after each shave I like to give my razors 20-30 laps (up and back is one lap) on the strop and about 60 laps before a shave.

I mean you can if you want to but I wouldn't see it as necessary but then again I'm only new as well!