Bigger is not always better...!

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08-17-2011, 06:00 PM
carazor

Bigger is not always better...!

There's so much focus on whether it's a 7/8 or 5/8 or whatever....What I've determined is the length is more important than the width of the blade. I get the best shaves now with my little 5/8 Flaschner 3" razor! Sure, it's not as impressive looking at the big 8/8 Wade and Butcher 3.5" monster blade, but when it comes to utility, it will shave circles around that big blade. I liken the difference to be like driving a Ferrari versus a Mercedes S500. The Flaschner is my Ferrari. I can get all the nooks and crannies of my face with that smaller 3" length and a more consistent BBS all over. And this after only 2 days of shaving with it, imagine how good it will be once I get used to it.
08-17-2011, 06:06 PM
Birnando

I'm happy to see you have found what works for you:)
Smaller and shorter blades are absolutely not lesser blades than their bigger brethren.

With good technique I'd say most any size will do, but naturally we all have our preferences:)
08-17-2011, 07:21 PM
DLB

I have 4/8s, 9/16s, 5/8s, 11/16s, 6/8s, and one 13/16s. They all shave equally well. I am always amazed that the 4/8s can provide a full, close shave over my whole face including the dreaded chin and upper lip.

While my current favorite razors are a 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot and a 13/16 J. A. Henckels 72 1/2, I would be loath to give up any of my smaller razors. They also provide excellent shaves, albeit, with a slightly different feel. I enjoy having different brands, sizes, and grinds in the collection. The variety adds a little spice to my daily shaves.
08-17-2011, 08:06 PM
carazor

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLB

I have 4/8s, 9/16s, 5/8s, 11/16s, 6/8s, and one 13/16s. They all shave equally well. I am always amazed that the 4/8s can provide a full, close shave over my whole face including the dreaded chin and upper lip.

While my current favorite razors are a 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot and a 13/16 J. A. Henckels 72 1/2, I would be loath to give up any of my smaller razors. They also provide excellent shaves, albeit, with a slightly different feel. I enjoy having different brands, sizes, and grinds in the collection. The variety adds a little spice to my daily shaves.

Well, I do enjoy driving a Ferrari sometimes and a Mercedes sometimes, etc....! Same with me I like the variety of different razors...
08-17-2011, 10:09 PM
str8fan

I have a 4/8 – love the thing but can’t stop wondering if the weight of a 7/8 wouldn’t be helpful. Can’t wait to find out : ).
08-18-2011, 01:40 AM
deighaingeal

I recently commissioned a longer razor because that has been my preference lately, but I have found myself shaving the last few times with my wife's short 4/8 from the same maker. It just depends on my daily mood.

Heck have you ever held a kamisori?
08-18-2011, 01:50 AM
carazor

Quote:

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I recently commissioned a longer razor because that has been my preference lately, but I have found myself shaving the last few times with my wife's short 4/8 from the same maker. It just depends on my daily mood.

Heck have you ever held a kamisori?

That's a good question, I plan to start with a kamisori soon. I'm talking blade length, not razor length. Kamisoris are really short on the blade, I think?
08-18-2011, 02:39 AM
deighaingeal

Quote:

Originally Posted by carazor

That's a good question, I plan to start with a kamisori soon. I'm talking blade length, not razor length. Kamisoris are really short on the blade, I think?

Kamisoris are just small in general, but I can't think of a better tool to get those hard to get areas.
08-18-2011, 02:55 AM
thehekler

You are completely correct the other day I shaved with a 5/8 American made wedge and a 7/8 american made hart steel 1/4 ground that cost me almost 15 times as much as that little guy. Seriously almost $300 and $21 and I have to say I was upset when that little 5/8 shaved better then that big ol' hart. For now I'm saying I just need more practice with the hart but that little guy was a hell of a shaver!
08-18-2011, 03:02 AM
mainaman

Quote:

Originally Posted by carazor

That's a good question, I plan to start with a kamisori soon. I'm talking blade length, not razor length. Kamisoris are really short on the blade, I think?

Kamisori are 40-60 mm on the shaving edge usually.
I have tried many Japanese straights with shorter blades and find them very nice to shave with.
08-18-2011, 09:39 AM
Bonbon

I have KIEBITZ SOLINGEN 9/16 3,0" and it's great shaver! I can reach any spot on my face and as I just recently received my TI French nose 5/8 I still can not say that it's give me better shave, maybe I need some more practice.
08-18-2011, 10:38 AM
carlmaloschneider

I've only shaved with two razors; I 5/8 Burrell and a 4/8 Wade and Butcher. They are both ground equally hollow (full hollow). I really like the 4/8, but the 5/8 has more feel. That extra 1/8 of an inch allows for just that little bit more flex which is great. I don't think, having tried a 7/8 once, that I'd go larger than 5/8 myself.
08-18-2011, 11:01 AM
pmburk

After a day off from shaving, my beard is heavy, my Dovo BQ 6/8 is my choice for reducing the growth setting up my face for the rest of the week. Its size and weight work well for me.
08-19-2011, 09:38 AM
carlmaloschneider

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmburk

After a day off from shaving, my beard is heavy, my Dovo BQ 6/8 is my choice for reducing the growth setting up my face for the rest of the week. Its size and weight work well for me.

You know, the funny thing is, that since I started shaving with a straight razor I haven't been able to go a single day without shaving. I'm actually worrying about how it's going to go when I stay a night at my brother's or sister's; or out bush. Camping season is coming up soon, and I need to think about a paddle strop, fold up mirror, etc, etc. Or grit my teeth and go one day without shaving.

My name is Carl Schneider, and I am a problem shaver...
08-19-2011, 11:07 AM
Wintchase

Depews 1886.... The best of all in one razor. Short like kamisorii, but built like a bigger western with the long monkey tail to hold onto...
08-19-2011, 11:54 PM
pmburk

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

You know, the funny thing is, that since I started shaving with a straight razor I haven't been able to go a single day without shaving. I'm actually worrying about how it's going to go when I stay a night at my brother's or sister's; or out bush. Camping season is coming up soon, and I need to think about a paddle strop, fold up mirror, etc, etc. Or grit my teeth and go one day without shaving.

My name is Carl Schneider, and I am a problem shaver...

Carl,
Before I took up straight razor shaving, I looked forward to Saturdays where I didn't have to shave unless there is a function or such. Now that I am straight razor shaving, I look forward to shaving EVERYDAY!
Patrick
08-21-2011, 03:57 PM
Firefighter2

The smaller blade definitely helps with shaving under the nose & other ''hard to reach'' places. I like a happy medium, a 5/8 or 6/8.
08-23-2011, 12:36 PM
Maxi

As my good friend Birnando pointed out, we all certainly have our preferences, and that pretty much any blade will do the job provided it's honed properly.

What I have found is that at the beginning of this journey, the curves of your face are the hardest parts to reach. Yes, a 4/8 and 7/8 will shave the cheek equally nicely, but getting into the nooks under your jawline may be a bit tricky. Similarly, it's potentially easier to learn on a rounded point rather than a spike.

If you've ever done woodwork, and used a rough wood rasp on a tight curve....at the beginning of learning how to rasp properly, it seems impossible that a 1 1/2" wide metal rasp will work in that tight curve. Over time, with experience, you begin to realize that you can indeed make something flat and without flex curve around that wood nicely and evenly. It just takes a bit of experience.