Ralf Aust 6/8 Spanish Point first shave

All I want say is...

WOW!!!

When I first put it to my face, it just cut through my whiskers like a hot knife through butter! I was previously using an RA 5/8 round point and that was a great shaver too. But with the added heft of the 6/8 (both are obviously full hollows), I could feel less resistance. This was especially noticeable when doing my WTG pass along my chin bulb as well as the Fool's Pass.

Another nice thing about the 6/8 was that when doing the WTG pass under my nose, it actually was easier to get close to the base of my nose than with the 5/8. With the 5/8, my nose was resting on the spine. With the 6/8 , the tip of my nose fits within the hollow. I find that gives me a better initial angle to start the cutting. So the thing about a 5/8 being better close to the nose is not always true.

The Spanish point proved its usefulness within the first minute. It worked great for getting around the corners of my lips. Towards the end of my shave, the point was perfect for getting the whiskers right against the nostrils. While I've never used a square point, the Spanish point looks like it may be a bit more useful overall. But I'll just have to buy a square point in the future.

All in all this is an EXCEPTIONAL razor! It cuts very well and the African Blackwood scales are simply gorgeous. I love my RA 5/8 but this is even better! It's definitely going to become my primary razor. So if you're considering this razor, or any Ralf Aust razor for that matter, get it! You'll love it!

My 7/8 RA Spanish point is my favorite razor. I really think Aust's are fantastic shavers and the bigger the better.

Pleased to hear you like your new razor, but personally i cannot see how a 1/8 difference in size can make that much difference to the shave experience.

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Pleased to hear you like your new razor, but personally i cannot see how a 1/8 difference in size can make that much difference to the shave experience.

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The wider Aust's are also much thicker, My 7/8 is probably 2-3 times heavier than my 5/8, although I have never actually weighed the two.

The increase in size creates a feel of a significant increase in heft. It is very perceptible. Some prefer the smaller sizes. I like the feel and shave of big razors. For me size makes a difference. I've never shaved with a razor too big; I have shaved with some that felt too small. 7/8 is the beginning of the sweet spot; below 6/8 gives me pause- it must be a great razor for me to use.

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Originally Posted by Shyster512

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Pleased to hear you like your new razor, but personally i cannot see how a 1/8 difference in size can make that much difference to the shave experience.

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The increase in size creates a feel of a significant increase in heft. It is very perceptible. Some prefer the smaller sizes. I like the feel and shave of big razors. For me size makes a difference. I've never shaved with a razor too big; I have shaved with some that felt too small. 7/8 is the beginning of the sweet spot; below 6/8 gives me pause- it must be a great razor for me to use.

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That's pretty much spot on here. That added heft allows the razor to better hug the face and be less susceptible to the tiny deflections of a coarse beard. If any one here is a vinyl record/turntable enthusiast like me, it's like tracking force. Too little and the stylus tends to bounce around in the groove. And from what others have said, the wider blades are thicker. So I suspect that translates to a stiffer blade. Not surprisingly, this blade even had a different sound as it was cutting. It was lower pitched as it went along my beard.

Right now, the 5/8 has been oiled as I intend to use the 6/8 for my main shaver and the 5/8 will go into standby. In fact, I'll be sending it to Lynn for its 6 month honing a month early.

Huh. Personal preferences are all over the place. My 6/8 RA razor is actually one of the thinnest blades I have, and I love that. My old 'meat cleaver' wedge razor needs to be stropped like crazy to give a smooth shave.

At least I can say I use the same razor that Ralf Aust himself uses! :D

Introducing Ralf Aust: The man behind our brand new open razors | The Bluebeards Revenge

Aunt's are a great buy. Wonderful quality, and a good selection of scales. I have a 6/8 and 7/8 and really like the weight.

I started out in the big razor camp. Then I took a trip to the little razor camp. (excuse my terminology)
I'm now off the opinion that it's all in the honing.
Camp honing, that's where I pitch my tent ;)