Thread: Preferred Blade Width/Grind and Why?

I like 5/8 full hollow. Prefer it to be vintage as well. With spike point also for trimming my beard or mustache. That being said I also enjoy my big blades and wedges. But I don't grab those as often.

Current market demand is for bigger blades, but by far the most common razor width among vintage blades is 5/8. That means they work! Once the technology was developed to be able to make them, full hollow was the most common grind.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Current market demand is for bigger blades, but by far the most common razor width among vintage blades is 5/8. That means they work! Once the technology was developed to be able to make them, full hollow was the most common grind.

When I was very young, long time ago, all I ever recall seeing barbers use were 5/8 and possibly 6/8 full hollow blades. They just plain flat out work and are the most economical to buy which is just about perfect if you are making a living shaving people.

Full hollows are also normally easier to hone the near wedges.

My personal opinion is that the current demand for large sized razors, 8/8 and up, is just human nature at work. The old bigger is better thing or possibly Freud had it right.

Bob