Razor for person with little facial hair

Hello,

I've been looking through this site for about a week. I never knew there was such a following for straight edge razors. Similar to some of the people on here, I'am tired of constantly buying replacment cartridges for my gillete. - I thought back to last year, when I traveled overseas and went to a barber that used a straight edge razor - cleanest shave I ever had. Granted it was pretty scary having a stranger hold such a sharp blade to my face.

I've been reading and notice that the harder places to shave is the upper-lip and under the chin at the jaw bone.

I don't have a lot of facial hair, just growth on the upper lip /under and around the chin. Would I be better off with 4/8 razor, would a 5/8 be too much?

I found a store in my area (San Jose, CA) - The Art of Shaving - However, it seems like they sell their own brand - so I'm not so sure how great they really are.

So far I have narrowed it down to these two from classicshaving.com...tell me what you guys think? If you guy's have any other suggestions, feel free to add input. (Or should I just stick with a safety razor)

1. DOVO - Classic "Special" 4/8 White $65
2. DOVO - Timor "Blue Steel" 5/8 $69

A 5/8 wouldn't be to much. You might prefer a 4/8 but at this point you really don't know as you haven't used either one. Thats what it will really come down to, personal prefrence.

The wider razors are often easier to learn to use and maintain. Much of how well you use the razor is based upon the angle at which you hold it and this is easier to see if the blade is wider. It is also easier to keep a wider surface flat on the strop and hone. That said my second razor and the first I sharpened myself was a 4/8 Bengal I bought on e-bay.

Another thing to note is that most guys prefer the larger razors. 6/8's is a common favorite size. If you shop E-bay these and larger razors often command a premium over the 5/8. 4/8's on the other hand don't fair as well and are more likely to be had at good prices.

Over time I am sure you will own and appreciate both sizes! Good luck! Don't forget to have you new razor professionally honed when you buy it. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your kit.

Whatever you decide, don't forget to tag on the sharpening service.

As another noob with a fairly light "beard" (using that term loosly) the size of the blade has not seemed to matter much other than preference and feel in the hand.

The 1st razor I tried was purchased from a member here in the B/S/T forum and is actually an 11/16 (between 5/8 and 6/8) Drees round-point. Works fine for me.

Next I bought a small Genco from eBay that is a 9/16 (between 4/8 and 5/8) spike. After I polished and honed it, she shaves very well also.

The latest addition is a 5/8 (finally, a "normal" size) Henckels round point, again from eBay. I think it was originally a spike but had been rounded at some point in her life :cry: . I just got her Monday but already has become my favorite.

Why all of this rambling? The size of the blade has not really affected it's ability to get in close under the nose or the chin, it is more preference based on feel than utility IMHO. What MAY be more important down the road is if you start looking at a wedge vice a hollow-gorund razor. The wedges reportedly are sometimes preferred by folks with a heavier beard or those that prefer the feel of a heavier blade. I have ZERO experience using a wedge, so I can't speak to a comparison.

v/r

Allen

You'll be fine with pretty much any size. I have light growth and own 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, and 7/8 sizes -- they all deliver great shaves.

I believe The Art of Shaving's razors are made by Thiers-Issard - very well respected razors, but they are expensive for a starter

Of the two sizes I've got (6/8 & 5/8), both give great shaves. However, as a noob, I appreciate the larger size for getting my stropping down. It may be psychsomatic, but I found the larger "sighting plane" of the 6/8 easier to keep evenly on the strop as I was (and am) learning.