Thread: what size is best for normal shaving?

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

I strongly recommend you start by checking out... Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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.