Thread: Definition: 5/8 6/8 7/8 ?

Hi People.

This may be a silly question, but what does the 5/8 or 6/8 or 7/8 mean with regard to a razor?
It's some sort of dimension I assume...

Also what's the difference in performance between these different numbers?
Thanks y'all
c

Its a vague reference to width, based on a "full" inch being 8/8. I think the measurement points of various razors are a little different though.

The shaving qualities are very subjective, but smaller razors are generally for tighter areas. "Large" men are said to prefer larger blades.

I like a blade with a little heft to it, myself.

jala,

It is the nomimal width of the blade measured in 8th's of an inch from the back of the spine to the edge. The wider the blade the harder it is to make the turn at the top of your upper lip, under your nose, to shave your upper lip. The heft of the blade has also to do with the amount of hollow: a full hollow will be the lightest blade for its width; a wedge will be the heaviest blade for its width.

If you measure things in mm, cm, etc, the 6/8 is going to be a 19mm and every 8th up or down will vary by about +/-3mm. It's probably safe to assume that the measurement convention came from Sheffield when the English made those great razors.

All else is what your are comfortable wielding about your face. I think most may start with a 5/8 and adjust as needed or wanted.

If you look at a standard american or english ruler, it is broken into 8ths...
The bigest line is an inch followed by a half, quarter and 8th.
measuring in 8ths simplifies the process rather than calling a 4/8ths a 1/2 and a 6/8ths a 3/4 we have 3/8 4/8 5/8 6/8 7/8 8/8 9/8 etc...

This measurement is the distance from the spine or back of the razor to the edge or sharp part.


The reason for the confusion is that European makers make razors in metric measurements millimeters. it it converted to the closest english measurement for our convenience.

Hope this helps

Birds of a feather flock to English measure...