Thread: 5/8 or 6/8?

I found the 5/8 much easier to use as a beginner - but I have a medium sized face and relatively pronounced valleys on my chin and neck. The 5/8 size just fit under my nose, and fit my chin and neck valleys better.

The weight of the 6/8 makes it mow down wiskers for longer between sharpenings - but I often end up with a tiny bit more razor burn with the 6/8 since the momentum hides the fact it's starting to need a touch up. The 5/8 also forces me to shave with more correct angles and account for the angle the hair grows at more - since it doesn't have enough weight to cut dense whiskers easily otherwise. (Of course, when the 6/8 is freshly honed, the 6/8 works just as well except it still doesn't fit under my nose or into my neck valleys as well).

The 6/8 is easier to strop and hone - so if you have a larger face and flat neck I'd go with 6/8. Otherwise, I'd recommend 5/8. I'd also recommend 1/2 hollow. You'll get a tiny bit closer shave with full hollow, but the half hollow is significantly less sensitive to mistakes in your angle (ie: less razor burn when starting out).

Mike,
5/8th's or 6/8ths will work as mentioned. Also as mentioned something to think about is shank size to hand size. If you have any antique stores near you that may have some for you to feel in your hands, this may help you with what will feel more comfortable while flipping when stropping.

For me 1/8 of an inch is not much in some ways but i could tell a big difference in 1/8 of an inch between razors when I was first starting. The 6/8 and larger blades were intimidating and harder for me to shave with especially under the nose. I like them all now but at first it was 5/8 or less.