Thread: How do you determine what's the right razor dimensions?

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I agree with criswilson10, trying a different grind (i.e. a wedge) will offer more of a variation for you than a change in width. It's all about personal preference. I have a few different types, but most are 5/8. Some are full hollow, some wedges, some framebacks...

Thanks @pups10, @criswilson10, @carlmaloschneider, and others. I didn't know about the grind at all (I see I have a 1/2 hollow). It sounds like I'll have to just give it a try and pick one (that is shave ready, since I need more time to research into honing). I'll monitor SRD and the classifieds to look for a second blade.

Yeah, basically that's the gist of it : you've got to try.

The only advice I sometimes give with a good level of certainty is that a beginner should not choose a 7/8+ blade (and for that matter agressive points) merely because the first trys are about finding the correct gestures, postures, blade angles, etc, and that large blades make it somehow a bit more difficult.

I can always point a counter-example to any other "truth" (ex : modern wedge, singing wedge, supple or rigid large blades, light big wedges, heavy small hollows, etc, etc)

That being said

It sounds like, from what I'm reading, that I should have a second blade at some point in the future.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... No.
You don't have to, should not have to, have such a feeling. That's peer pressure.

If you can find in your heart that you are content with one blade, then that's it.
Don't give in to the ramblings of razorholics, most of our predecessors before the internet had one razor for their whole life, if any.

At the hour of glory of "semainiers" (weekly sets) or luxury pairs for the rich, poor people seldom had even one... So...

Originally Posted by Aggelos

That being said

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... No.
You don't have to, should not have to, have such a feeling. That's peer pressure.

If you can find in your heart that you are content with one blade, then that's it.
Don't give in to the ramblings of razorholics, most of our predecessors before the internet had one razor for their whole life, if any.

At the hour of glory of "semainiers" (weekly sets) or luxury pairs for the rich, poor people seldom had even one... So...

This was very true in the past but you also have to consider our predecessors could either hone, including repairing blade chips, themselves or somebody nearby could do it. Today, over here, that is not necessarily the case for a beginner and any honing could involve mailing the razor away for service which can take several weeks before it is back. That was the position I was in when I started shaving with straight razors. So, a second back up razor can be a good idea in that case. OTH an old DE can be used too as a back up.

Now that I have taught myself to hone and repair chips I could definitely survive on just one razor. Unfortunately in the process of learning to hone and buying used razors to learn on I am now a confirmed "razorholic".

Bob

@Aggelos appreciate the advice on sidings.

I was thinking of a second blade from others' comments about having a spare, for when I send mine out to be honed (or in the case that I do the honing and mess it up), or to use as a reference for sharpness.

Even though all the styles and types seem interesting, it's more of a curiosity. I don't (at this time) have the blade buying bug.

@BobH yeah, I could use my safety razor as the backup, and keep some blades around. Good idea! I think a second one will still make sense for when I start doing honing.

That would, indeed, be a correct, rational, motivation

Carry on, don't mind the ramblings of someone who bought his second razor even before he could use his first and almost only have pairs (my condition is far worse than yours, I am a deep rooted antiques scavenger, even before I ever had my first str8 in hand)

Originally Posted by Aggelos

That would, indeed, be a correct, rational, motivation

Carry on, don't mind the ramblings of someone who bought his second razor even before he could use his first and almost only have pairs (my condition is far worse than yours, I am a deep rooted antiques scavenger, even before I ever had my first str8 in hand)

Well, a year from now, after I have a billion blades and am spending all my time on the classifieds looking for yet another blade, you can tell me "I told you so!" (hoping I don't get addicted to collecting blades - I've been fighting off collecting camera lenses and it sure is hard )

Unfortunately for us wet shavers razors aren't the only addiction we need to fight. I find myself splurging on one amd once I get that under control I'm into the next one. Good luck fighting them all off

Yes, no way to know what you prefer personally unless you find out by trying it out.

It's the same as wondering whether you prefer apples or pears after you've had an apple for the first time in your life and never had a pear. Even with apples there's so much variety and some apples could taste pretty similar to some pears.

I find the difference between a 5/8 and a 6/8 to be THE significant step. I'm sure this is all personal, but I like my 6/8 thru 8/8 razors much more than the 5/8 razors I've tried. My recommendation would be to try a full hollow 6/8 for your next razor.