Thread: 5/8 v. 6/8

I'd stay with the standard 5/8 to 6/8 hollow ground razor.

Get the other size from the one you already have and you can compare the differences.

I've been using straights for about 2 years now, and have several blades in rotation currently. Most are 5/8, a few 4/8, and one 6/8. For me, I find the 5/8 the easiest to use with the 4/8 being the most difficult. The 6/8 shaves great and I like it, but I still find 5/8 the most comfortable to wield. Even though the 4/8 are the toughest for me, one of them is my top shaver in both comfort and closeness... so even if it is more difficult for me to use, it's still worth it to me.

Long story short, I think it will all depend on how well a particular razor shaves. Personally, I don't plan to go looking for any more 4/8, but I would never give up the couple I have either. JMHO, and YMMV.

If you shave under your nose you might take this into consideration. I have a mustache and never go there but I imagine and 8/8 under the nose could be a real challenge :<0) I have used almost all the sizes and settled on 6/8. It's a matter of taste but I wouldn't go too radical at first. I went from 5/8 to a 7/8 and about took off my chin. It's in those tight spots you will notice the difference more.

A great deal of the tools involved in shaving are personal preferences. That being the case the only way to find out is to try different sizes and grinds to find what you like.

I have sizes and grinds ranging from 4/8 to 8/8 in near wedges to extra full bellied hollows. So long as the edge is sharp and gives a smooth shave I don't care which grind I use, although they all have a slightly different feel when using them. The 4/8 size I find a bit on the small but they shave well. The one 8/8 full hollow that I have shaves well enough too but for me it feels like I am using a spatula to shave with. I am happiest with a razor sized 5/8 to 7/8 and anything in between.

Bob

Razor size is a personal preference type of thing . It depends on your experience,beard type,dexterity,the razors grind,level of keenness etc. I began with a 6/8 , tried a few 5/8 and find myself choosing a 7/8 or larger more often than not. You can only find out what you like by trying them all.

I find the difference between a 5/8 and 6/8 to be negligible. I prefer full hollow.

I love my 5/8, 6/8 and 7/8 like my children of which I have none but if I did I know I would love them all the same.
They each have their own unique personality and I can't imagine shaving with only one or two.
I think I will eventually settle on a couple of dozen razors,...all different.
If I were you I would choose a 6/8 square full grind for a second razor.
Having written that I would think whatever choice you make you will be happy.
Good luck

In addition to the other vendors and the Classifieds you might want to look for a local mentor.
I found a local contact when I offered to PIF some Feather Blade samples in one of the other forums.
We ended up trading different "Feather type" razors, then conventional straights.
He loaned me a used Hart that he had brought back to life - that exposed me to Hart, 1/4 grind and square points - and I'm the better for it.
I loaned him some W&B's, older slants - and he was glad to try them but not his cup a tea...

Like just about everything else, its all very YMMV.
Some of us never deviate from a particular type of razor.
Other (yours truly) change as they learn.
My early exposure to the square point was a disaster for instance.
Now I can't imagine trying to shave and trim my Mo with a round point - my regular shavers are Square, Spanish, Barbers Notch or "American" (Ralf Aust)

Smooth Shaving...