Thread: Thiers Issard 5/8 vs 6/8

I always end up selling my blades that are 5/8. They work just fine, I just really prefer a heavy blade. My W&B Celebrated FBU 9/8 is one of my all time favorite blades. The 7/8 TI is quite nice. The spine is not quite as thick as some of my other 7/8 razors, but yes it is an effortless shaver. It's mostly personal preference, some people hate bigger blades. I just made a shorty from an abused 6/8 puma 89 special, and it's one of the smoothest BBS shaves I've ever had!

Originally Posted by dngrspapercut

I really like the look and size of this blade. I've never used one myself, but I romanticized that this graceful giant cuts through beards like a jedi light saber through butter. I know I've said before on this forum that the current blade is good enough that I won't ever need another again. But if one day, for what ever reason I was forced to do 1 or 2 days of mandatory overtime, I would probably spend that money on one of these dreadnoughts.

So do you guys think size matters? I always hear the term "let the weight of the blade do the work". That leads me to think that a heavier blade equals a more effortless shave. I like to know what your guys thoughts are on this.

Well, this is one of these YMMV case. Using the blade's weight when going downwards on the face will work, but when going upwards (think ATG on the sideburns), gravity is going the other way... I think a better way to put it is "use the pressure equivalent of a feather's weight", or better yet, as someone put it in a recent thread, "shave the lather, not the face/beard".

Yes, as in many things in life, size does matter and it's mostly personal preferences based on many factors. There are some who love the 4/8 size (but not that many I would think) and others (lots) that probably wouldn't go under and 8/8. Same thing with the grinds. The best is to try many and settle on whichever combination suits you best. (yes, I'm still talking about razors )

Cheers.

Really there is not “That” much difference in how they feel in your hand. There is some in the shave, but there is also a down side.

As said YMMV but, most new guys are drawn to larger blades and most they tell me they cut themselves more with wider blades.

I do believe a narrower blade is much easier to learn with. I have blades of all widths, grinds and points and while I love the look of wide blades, I do love the shave from narrow blades down to 4/8.

Since you have a 5/8 try a 6/8 I think you will be happy with both.

You may want to look at Vintage TI’s, they are about the same price for nice ones and the finish is much better.

Thanks gents! I think I'll stick to the 5/8 since it is actually as wide as the 6/8 razors I have. That's about as big a razor as I can manage for now.