Thread: Why big blade width?

Hi everyone,

As an amateur learning the ropes it is suggested 5-6/8 are good blade widths.
I have seen allot of more experienced members showing their razors or potential purchases and they are all larger widths, 8/8 13/16 big wedges or the like. Obviously they have the skill to use a straight razor properly.

Why is a wider blade better?
Is a smaller blade not more manoeuvrable around some areas?
Also there has been a bit of talk about the higher prices on some vintage blades because they are in high demand at the moment.

I've been on the Electronic Bay a bit lately looking to pick up another blade for a back up and for learning reasons.
i have seen a few popular brands in 4/8 that are reasonably less expensive than a 5/8 or bigger.
why does this size seem to be unpopular and would they be suitable for the learners out there?

My biggest blade at the moment is a 6/8 but i can tell you that the big factor i can see is the weight. a larger blade has more momentum and the hairs just don't stand up to it as well. kinda like if you are going to be hit by a car while driving you would much rather it be a compact rather than a truck. the smaller blades are more maneuverable but there is always a trade off. I know that it feels like i am working harder when i use a smaller blade if it is hollow ground. if it was a wedge it would be a little better with that extra weight to help it along.

A good part of it is personal preference, I personally like 5/8 to 7/8 for daily driving.

This is my take on it.

A few of the reasons 5/8-6/8 are recommended starting out:

1. They are easier to maneuver and see around
2. They are a mid size so it will help you determine which way to go up or down when the time comes
3. The balance tends to be better at least IMO
4. They are easier to learn to strop (4/8 and smaller can be a challenge)
5. The weight seems to be enough to assist but not to much, I have found the smaller blades require you to work them, this would make getting the pressure right more difficult in the beginning.
6. The larger blades will about run on auto pilot due to the mass which may not be a good thing if your technique is not spot on.

Again just my thoughts on it and I know there are many more schools of thought on this subject.

IMO - as one who prefers bigger blades, it's just a matter of personal preference. For me, I get just as satisfying a shave with a 5/8 frame back as I do with my 9/8 Chopper...

Bigger is not better,think about it, your only contact with the blade is the edge,the end result will be the same with any blade width.
My prefferance is big blades,why?? is just me.
Guys like Big trucks, big motercycles, big anything,get a 5/8,go from there.

My bigger blades are my best shavers. The extra mass is like a buffer against any twitch or rough hand movement and they usually come with a smile that makes them all the more easy on the face.

Also it will take some time to get to know a new razor no matter what the size. the smaller blades are a lot more forgiving when you are starting out.

I like all the blades, But...at my advanced age, the heavier blades are easier to control due to the weight. That said; I usually shave with anything of about 9/16ths" or larger.
The previous posts have a lot of good information!
~Richard

Mostly it's personal preference.

For me 6/8 is my sweet spot. They tend to be a fraction longer, have a deeper tang, and hold more lather per stroke.

I do also have a few 5/8 and they shave well but always feel dainty compared to the 6/8. I do have big numb hands and I think that plays into it a lot.

The biggest razor I have is 7/8 but it is identical to a 6/8 other than been a fraction deeper. The 7/8 is also extra hollow and is lighter than the hollow ground 6/8.



The higher price on vintage blades can be misleading. Some well liked manufacturers go for big money these razors only make a small percentage of the razors available. And provided your not wanting specific makes then you can find very cheap blades on Ebay. Grind and metal wise a vintage 1950's or earlier razor will shave well. There are no bad razors because they were intended to be used, And without an advertising system like we have today reputation was everything. So the quality control that went into the blades is a reflection of the pride a company would have for it's product. The cheap razors tend to be 5/8 or 6/8 since even a no-name vintage 8/8 will command a higher price.

4/8 for me is something I have avoided. Not because I don't want to try them, Simply for the fact if I get one I want it to be very cheap as a tester model, And I tend to skip them when looking down the auction page.



If your ebaying blades then make damn sure you know what faults to look for. There is a subforum dedicated to auctions, and people put up a lot of information in there about auction listings that have problems. Say for instance a seller is house clearing, they may have no idea about razors. Because of that you need to learn to look for cracks, Chips, Cooked blades, Warps, spine wear, Incorrect scales/blade/boxes, pitting ect ect.

I have a wide variety to choose from. Stick with the 6/8 for most of my shaves which are every morning nice shaves. If I want to play, I grab something else. Every time I use a smaller 4/8 5/8 I ask myself why I don't use one on a regular basis. They seem to give an effortlessly close shave. The reason you hear "start out with 5 or 6/8 is because they are easiest to learn with and you have a base to go either way. Then there is the grind. It all boils down to what you like to use. Of course you have to buy them all to find that out. This is called RAD. Or you can just pick a couple and if they please you , stick with them. Being like most of us was never considered the smart thing to do . Just fun.