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I've got a very handy Heljastrand No.80 4/8, it's very light and ergonomic (see below). It's as sharp as any of my other razors, except for my 6/8 Fontana, which I suspect of being elven forged.:nj
The problem is that it seems to jump around and have to be forced through my beard with more muscle than my others, most are standard 5/8 types.
Is this a condition common to lightweights?
Because the blade is lighter you have to hold it more firmly to keep it from being deflected by the hair. This is why I suspect many beginners like such heavy blades. They make up for the flaws in technique by being weightier. It cuts just as well but its light weight mens you have to hold onto it more firmly. You will find that if you use the same technique that gives you good shave with a 4/8 with a heavier blade it works just as well though the reverse is not true.
If you have a thick, heavy beard (like me), a heavier razor might make it easier, but not necessarily any closer. Just faster. The extra inertia would help keep it moving in the thick stuff without having to really push it through (which can lead to some spectacular cuts if you're not careful:nono:). That said, a sharp blade is a sharp blade--the extra weight probably wouldn't make it any closer.
For me, my Filarmonica #13 (15/16) is much faster than my other hollow razor (~5/8) , but it doesn't shave any closer. A 2-pass shave is plenty close all day; the Filarmonica just takes less time and is maybe a bit more forgiving because it's easier to view angles with a bigger piece of steel. As always, YMMV.
+1 on what WildTim has said - just makes sense, really. I've always found a slight scything motion helps with lighter blades, as does very good stretching and being "definite" in your stroke: visualise where you want that edge to go and do it! Don't force it, but don't namby-pamby about with it either. Cuts generally happen when the blade stops moving, so when it's touching your face, make sure it's in motion. I find a wristier technique helps with that too.
James.
It is my experience also, that a lighter blade is more prone to skip, or hang up on coarse whiskers. On my beard, I need to lock my wrist more and firm up my grip to prevent such blades from doing odd things. I can get by with them, but it is a less enjoyable shave.
With a heftier blade it's really more about giving the razor a certain direction and then allowing it to do its work, guiding it a bit for angle and slant. Quite a difference with those light blades and their constant demand for accurate steering. There's also an angle issue with a small blade. Lift the spine 1/16" more up and that increases the angle way more then the same change on a wider blade.
I've read in a book that, in the old days, 4/8's were not considered razors for shaving facial hair. They were meant for hairdressing uses, such a cleaning up the back of a customers neck after a haircut.
Bart.
This is really a YMMV type of thing. Some prefer heavy blades and some prefer light. I have heavy, light and inbetween and I find I get equally good shaves from all of them. As they say sharp is sharp and your skin just see's the edge of the razor. It doesn't know whether you have some huge meatchopper of a dainty 4/8s. Its just a matter of how you use what you have.
I guess you can look at it as the weight and mass being like a crutch so you don't have to think about applying any additional force to the blade and you can maneuver it around your face less. In the end just buy what you like but you should try them all.
I've shaved with 3/8ths through to 8/8's and my favourite is still a 6/8 razor. It's just at that perfect size, not too big nor too small.
Your beard & skin type will dictate what works best for you. Speaking for myself I have received great shaves from all the different sized razors. Your 4/8 may need to be a bit sharper and pay attention to the angle you use.
Hope this helps,:)