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What size.razor is best for shaving around the cheeks and on my neck? 4/8 5/8? Whats the differen ce in razor sizes uses? What is each size best for? And im new to straight shaves on myself its quite hard compared to on on clients at school lol. Whats the easiest way to stretch the skin and hit these spots and do it well any help would be great.-john
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I think that as a beginner, something around 5/8 - 11/16 is a good size to shave all your face with.
I'd start with a 5/8 full hollow. As far as the difference that different sizes and grinds make, really, you just need to try them. I'd recommend a 5/8 full hollow, a frameback, and one wedge and work up from there. Don't worry if you find you don't like either of those; you will later on. I still kick myself just a little for getting rid of the first wade and butcher wedge in Abalone scales I had.
Of course some people are happy with just one razor, and a 5/8 is easy to use and hone, but the joy of trying different styles and then rotating them is, well, joyous...
Carl
I'd go along with something in the 5/8 to 6/8 range with a round tip in a hollow grind. Reasons being that they are handy to use, relatively cheap new or used and the round tip is a bit safer at the start. Razors in that range seem pretty common to find likely for good reason.
Bob
I have all sorts of razors in all sorts of sizes. I find the 5/8 - 6/8 advice to be spot on, I don't care for round points personally based solely on looks and ability to get in to the tight spots.
Being very new to the trade. I did not consult on this particular "key" question before I started my straight razor shaves. I purchased a few based on looks and did not give a lot of thought to the size/shape. Of course as you would expect I had to learn the hard way on what works better on my face/neck layout. I should have started with the round point for the cited reasons. It is more important to get the feel for this shaving style very slowly and in a controlled fashion rather than using a blade that looks cool! Now after 10 shaves (every other day), I am starting to respect that squared off edge but still shave slower with it.
As I am learning about the different steels, shapes, temper, grinds, lengths and so many other factors, I am becoming a serious student who is able to increase his shaving speed as the feel starts to settle in. Love this hobby that will become a skill as experience grows. I can't seem to absorb all the information fast enough; fortunate for all of us that the long standing members are glad to advise.
5/8 - 6/8 are the best.
I have a few different sizes, though I havent shaved with a big chopper yet. The smaller seem easier to learn on, imo.