Thread: The greatest misperception...

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I may have mentioned that, Jimmy. Seems my hands are old, skinny, and worn. Grip comes at a premium these days!

A 4/8 shaver causes me more trepidation than an 8/8. I have to be lots more careful to keep from cutting a strop or my Hollywood face as that little fella may just roll-over in my fingers at any time.

We now have two Hollywood faces on this forum!? Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

We now have two Hollywood faces on this forum!? Tc

Well, don't forget Obie, Tc! That makes 3 of us!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Just my opinion...

The greatest misperception about straight razors, and the reason that razor prices are so ridiculously skewed, is that bigger straight razors are better. By far, the most common size among straight razors made in the past 100 years is the 5/8. There is a simple reason for that. They worked!

Now all of the razor makers are pressured to make bigger razors, because the smaller ones just don't sell, or command a significantly lower price. The required amount of effort for making the smaller blades is virtually the same, but the prices they command just cannot justify the bother of trying to make them.

The same problem exists for vintage blades. It's hard to sell a 5/8 blade, but the larger ones get snapped up.

Here is the reality. 5/8 blades work just great! Bigger is not always better.

My first was a 5/8 and I have a few more. My favorite sized razor however is a 6/8. 7/8 are okay but have a feel of too big so I am sure a 8/8 is not my cup o' tea either.

That said I do look for a 6/8 razor most often but have picked up a 5/8 that catches my eye.

OH no you don't Tom, I know Obie us the other I can't even drunk say I have a Hollywood face! Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

OH no you don't Tom, I know Obie us the other I can't even drunk say I have a Hollywood face! Tc

HAR!

I honestly expect both Obie and myself are a bit beyond our 'Hollywood' prime!

So far my 8/8 near wedge Koraat is the biggest razor I've used, an R.H.S. 4/8 is the smallest. I can happily shave with either or anything in between, but (not sure why), I find the big one easier and more pleasant to use. I notice no difference in the quality of the shave. Personal preference doesn't have to be rational or explained IMO, we like what we like. Last girl I went out with asked me why I liked her, I answered that I liked her smile ☺, and more than that I couldn't explain to her or myself. Think I'd answer the same regarding my razors ��.

Originally Posted by dmnc

So far my 8/8 near wedge Koraat is the biggest razor I've used, an R.H.S. 4/8 is the smallest. I can happily shave with either or anything in between, but (not sure why), I find the big one easier and more pleasant to use. I notice no difference in the quality of the shave. Personal preference doesn't have to be rational or explained IMO, we like what we like. Last girl I went out with asked me why I liked her, I answered that I liked her smile ☺, and more than that I couldn't explain to her or myself. Think I'd answer the same regarding my razors ��.

Told my wife that too when we first dated, but she said then why aren't you looking at my face? Tc

.

Late to the party, as usual, but anyway.

On the whole, I tend to agree with Ron. The 20th century was, technically speaking, the pinnacle of razor making. Industrialization required manufacturers to optimize the manufacturing process as much as possible; as a result, steel production was relatively uniform (inasfar as possible) as well as the general production process, with a high degree of specialization.

It seems that the bulk of razors made were around 5/8, which must have happened for a reason. It is possible that it was mainly done to save steel, or maybe it was a middle-of-the-road solution, a size that is most practical for most people in use.

That being said, I prefer 6/8-7/8 full hollow razors, preferably with a thumb notch. I like the look, but for me it is very much a matter of practicality. See, I sport mutton chops and in order to shave my cheeks I have to basically drag the tang across them. Naturally I lather the entire shaveable area of my face, because avoiding my jaw would be silly; I would still get lather on the tang somehow.

So to avoid getting lather on the tang and into the pivot, a larger distance between edge and tang results in less of a mess, as well as avoiding damage to the razor. I get lather on my fingers, but they tend not to rust.

I guess my main point is that indeed, a nice 5/8 is all you need, generally speaking. But this whole wet shaving gig has so many variables and personal preferences that there is no sense in talking in absolutes. I could shave perfectly fine with a 5/8. As a matter of fact, I do on occasion. But a slightly bigger razor is just more practical for me, for very personal reasons.


Regards,

Pieter