Thread: Is bigger better?

I did my first all SE shave today! I am using an older 4/8 or 5/8 (not sure) straight I got at an antique store. I was wondering if a bigger razor is easier to shave with?

hey! florida! we're starting to outnumber them. that will important when it's time for the revolution.

I wont shave with anything smaller than 8/8 unless its a real heavy or unique 7/8. But thats just me....some people swear by 4/8.

What do you mean by 'easier'?

Do you mean will it have more momentum in the shave and potentially 'catch' up on the whiskers less? I'd say most likely yes it will.

Do you mean will it help you get into the tight corners and trim around your mustache better? Chances are no it won't.

5/8 or 6/8 seem to be the most facile sizes to hone and strop and some might argue shave as well. It's more a case of what do you like to use for your shave. I'm finding that, although I have a lighter beard, I prefer my larger 7/8 smiling shaped blades to give me the most satisfaction. I still love my 3/8 for some delicate work and my 5/8 Dubl Duck will always hold a special place in my heart.

'Easier', eh? I guess what I'm saying is it's up to you to make that determination.

X

It depends on your facial hair and personal preference. Mine is somewhere in between so I'm ok with 5/8 or 6/8 blades. However, if you grow a bush on your face, then you need a heavier blade. Also look at the grind of the blade. A 6/8 wedge is more substantial than a 7/8 hollow. Then you get into personal preferences and only you can answer that question. The general rule of thumb is that a substantial blade will mow through the tough stubble but a delicate blade will leave your face cleaner.

But the most important thing of all.....
The razor needs to be shave ready in
order to do the job effectively.

The only way that you can find this out
for yourself though is to aquire and try
different size blades.

I have razors from 5/8 through 7/8 and
enjoy the variety in blade widths.

I do have a light beard though.


Terry

I'd say close to half my razors are 4/8 (I have one 6/8 and the balance would be 5/8) and I prefer them. Do I think the bigger ones are "easier"? No. They are different. They give you a different experience. I have a hell of a time trimming around my goatee with my 6/8 but it shaves everywhere else fairly effortlessly and does better when I have more stubble or haven't shaved in a few days. However when I pull out my little 4/8 tuckmar frameback or my kronpunkt it just zips around the curves of my face like a little ferrari although I have to work a little harder to chop down the whiskers if I've let them go too long.

The "easiest" razor to use is the one that is most comfortable for you. That depends on a lot of things including your own agility, personal beard growth, etc. For some, that's 7/8 and 8/8 razors (or even bigger). For me, that's 4/8 and 5/8.

Of course, the guys with the giant razor fetishes could just be "overcompensating" too

-- Gary F.

I used to think the bigger blades were better for a heavy or stiff beard, now I think the grind has more to do with how well a blade handles stiff wiskers than the width of the blade.

Having said that; my favorite three razors are a 4/8, a 6/8, and a 13/16...enjoy them all.

Dave

P.S. Just make sure you get your first razor honed by someone who knows how to do it! I know you have heard it before, but it really is that important.

Originally Posted by setherd

I did my first all SE shave today! I am using an older 4/8 or 5/8 (not sure) straight I got at an antique store. I was wondering if a bigger razor is easier to shave with?

I always say, "It's not the size of the tool, it's how you ..."

Oh wait, you're talking about razors!

Asking which size of razor is best is like asking which are better, redheads, blondes, or brunettes. Or choosing between a busty valkyrie and a petite oriental maiden.

I was having great fun and good shaves with my 6/8s, 7/8s, and 8/8s. Then I picked up an old 7-day set of 4/8s, and found they were different, but great fun too. They each have their different characteristics. If you slice your upper lip to ribbons with an 8/8, then you might be pleased with something thinner. If you want to shave that thick beard off your cheeks smoothly, or only have to rinse the lather off your blade once per pass, then try an 8/8.

Personally, I don't plan on settling down to one razor anytime soon.

Originally Posted by Howard Wallace

Asking which size of razor is best is like asking which are better, redheads, blondes, or brunettes. Or choosing between a busty valkyrie and a petite oriental maiden.

Ah heck, that's an *easy* question... the redheaded busty valkyrie of course!

-- Gary F.