Thread: Why big blade width?

I'm not at all sure it all breaks down to preference, but even if it does my preference is to enjoy my shaves. My shaves are more interesting, more challenging and more fun with a big blade, and the bigger the better.

I haven't shaved with anything smaller than 8/8 in over a year and have no intention of doing so. Personally, I think a 6/8 might be hard for me to handle. I routinely shave with 10/8, 12/8 and 14/8 razors. Those blades give me fine shaves and are no less maneuverable than smaller blades. The difference for me, however, is that they are more enjoyable to shave with.

Seems there is/was a reason the 5/8 and 6/8 sized razors were popular when straights were in their heyday. They were relatively inexpensive and got the job done for the majority of users with no fuss no muss. The same thing that damns with faint praise the 4 door family sedan. They have what most need and nothing more.

Then there is the fact that most shavers are likely male so you might have to factor in the mine is bigger than yours syndrome or not. That might account for some of the interest in 1 inch plus blade sizes. Also 1 inch plus blade sizes are not the common in late vintage razors so they are different if that is what you want.

Personally I find 4/8 to be kind of fiddly to shave with and to strop and the one 8/8 that I have seems like I'm shaving with a spatula. I like the 4 door Chevy sized razors, 5/8 to 6/8, best. You can always dress them up a little to make them have more curb appeal. In the end though it is each to their own.

Bob

I do find the huge blades to be fun to shave with but outright and categorically refuse to pay the prices demanded for them at present. 6 or 7/8" works nicely enough for me.

I find the grind to be a more important factor than the actual width. A half hollow or near wedge will have a nice amount of weight even in the smaller sizes - and it's the weight that I prefer rather than any physical dimensions.

With this said, I have a tiny 3/8" razor of no provenance that takes a killer edge and gives a seriously close shave. The only thing that stops me using it more often is the light weight that I find, frankly, terrifying with something so sharp. Of course, your mileage may and will probably vary bladesin all of this.