Quote Originally Posted by ccase39 View Post
I am new to straight razors and bought a Dovo Col Ichabod Conk 6/8 razor set Amazon.com: DOVO 506B 6/8 Col Conk Straight Razor with Full Shaving Set: Health & Personal Care

I see from reading beginners posts that it seems that most beginners start with the 5/8. What is the difference between the two and what are the benefits/downfalls? How are these measured, is it the width of the blade? Would it be better for me to buy a 5/8 since I am a beginner? Overall I like the razor itself but am unhappy with the set. I obviously paid too much as the brush is garbage and the case is plastic. I figured for that price the accessories would be a little higher quality. Overall though I am totally hooked! I can see that I am going to spend a fortune as time passes. Thanks for all the help.
Hi and welcome. I'm a noob myself, so, I'm certain some more experienced guys will chime in and correct or add to my statements. I think you got a pretty cool kit, seemingly at a fair price IMHO. It looks rather complete and apparently comes from Vintage Straight Razors so, it's shave ready sharpened. Very good. I don't see a strop at all in the pictures or description, did you get one? You need that. The sheath is nice, the VDH starter kit is cool (yeah, it's cheap, but functional), the plastic case doesn't matter, the blade is good. At my drugstore, the VDH boar brush was 10 bucks. At my super market, the VDH kit you have is 10 dollars. At Target, there's a nicer VDH kit for 20 bucks, and if you want to try a badger brush, that is also at target for 10 more dollars from VDH. The boar is fine and some like it more for the stiffer bristles being better at exfoliation.

There are general recommendations and general disclaimers (YMMV) all over this site. People just trying to help, but knowing that each persons face, skin, hair, preferences, goals and more all seem to vary to a degree. I read a bit before buying my razor and decided to ignore some of the general advice for my own personal preferences. They say, don't get a spike, but I did anyway and I'm very happy with that choice and the usefull little corner it has.

To answer you question, the measurement you refer to is the width of your blade from it's cutting edge to it's spine (the back edge) and it is measured in inches. So, 6/8 is an eighth of an inch wider than 5/8. The beginners help section has all the pictures with names of the parts for your educational purposes. You have a wider blade. Depending on the grind (I almost went with a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 half hollow for my first) you likely have more weight in the blade then a 5/8. I'm not sure of the significance of this as gravity is not always an advantage or disadvantage since you'll pull your blade up or down as you shave. There is more metal, so, if you were to shave all your life, you have extra to hone away with each sharepening. The blade is wider, so it needs more 'room' to work with. Meaning it may be more difficult for you to lay it down flatter when shaving your upper lip becuase your nose is in the way is the only example I can think of. Ooh, or trying to reach the concave parts of your neck under your jaw line.

IMHO you can enjoy your razor and set and just practice with what you have. You do not need to go out and buy another razor already. An eighth inch isn't all that significant. Actually I believe the standard is either 5/8 or 6/8 so you're all set! (assuming you have a strop). It's those extra skinny or extra wide ones to maybe avoid until you're experienced. Shave, practice, enjoy, then acquire more stuff! Your taste will develop as your skill does, maybe faster, but thats where you're wallet will keep you in check.