Thread: What's 5/8, 4/8, 9/16 mean when referring to a razor?

Is it just the thickness from spine to edge? Like why call a 4/8 a 4/8 instead of a 1/2 then, etc...

There's some terminology too, wrt to spike, and such, are there pics somewhere that have the gory details?

Razors are measured in fractions of an inch, from spine to edge. They tend to use 8ths or 16ths of an inch, probably standard because then it is easy to compare all razors without an inch to mm converter. 16ths are used because it allows smaller increments to be expressed. Not sure why nobody tends to use 1/2 1/4 and 1 inch as a size though. I guess it is just the way it has been for ages and is now a tradition.
Not sure of the terminology, maybe somebody else will chip in
Hope this helps,
Nick

I have also seen some razors on eBay listed in 32nds of an inch and in coin view dimensions. For quick reference it is helpful to make an accurate chart (numbers and linear scale) of dimentions from 1/2" to 1" in mm, 32nds and penny, dime, nickle and quarter and have them cross-referenced to each other.

Monte

So if I used my razor a lot, my 5/8 could become a 4/8.

Well, if you, your son, and your grandson used it a lot and all treated it well, then it would probably become a 4/8.

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