Thread: Size of razor

The best width is any width having a shave ready edge. If the edge is not shave ready, nothing else matters in comparison.

I use widths from 4/8 to 7/8, they all work ok if shave ready and fail if not. Any 5/8 or 6/8 without a sharp corner at the heel or point is good for beginners. if of good steel and geometry.

Narrow 4/8 are nimble but take more care stropping and honing. There is not much steel for correcting damage. Wide 7/8 are easy to control stropping and honing but are less nimble. It is easier to judge and hold an angle on your face using wider blades. The 5/8 width out numbers all others.

i suggest lesser brand names from Soligen, Sheffield, France, Sweden, or the US in as good a condition as possible where cost is an issue. I would avoid blades in need of restoration as the cost of restoration added to purchase price often exceeds the cost of a blade in better condition. I like the classified sites where moderate cost blades can be found often in shave ready condition.