Thread: Preferred Blade Width/Grind and Why?

Afternoon,

So I'm still in the beginning stages of shaving with a straight razor but I like to think big and what I have to look forward to. Right now I'm just using a 5/8" full hollow and it works, but I know there is more out there and I hope to one day be able to try them all.

So I was curious what everyone's preferred blade width/grind was. And obviously why.

Cheers!

Its a bit too subjective for an answer to satisfy, but the part of it that speaks to ergonomics is quite real. A few of the artists (literally) that have large hands - are able to grip and articulate the tiny shank of a smaller blade. Similarly, the guy w/ small hands may find the shank of the 1" choppers awkward to use and strop. The 1" Friodurs were awkward to get used to for me, and my hands take a size XL glove.

Rather than what size blade, maybe the most valid answer will be to hook up with other users that will let you try their gear. Maybe a regional meet-up, maybe a user is nearby. The alternative is usually taking someone's word that has different size hands, different skin, etc. Then buying & selling alot 'till your face is happy. When you try gear - make a mental note that the edge is different than the rest of the ergos. Some like a brisk, scrapey feel, others want butter smooth. That's a separate issue. Feel what sizes (mainly the shank) is easiest to articulate precisely. Thumb notch? Straight shank? How big?

Then, there's the fact that for every heavy grind - there's 100 full hollows. That doesn't mean the full hollows are better. I have a few full hollows and extra hollows, but my hands & face seem to like the heavy grind unless its Sheffield (I'm one of those oddballs for whom the steel causes facial tantrums). I sometime have to hunt around for a full hollow 'cause less than 20% of my razors are thin grinds. You can see how it would get expensive if you had to buy one of each to figure out what your face likes.

I don't have that much experience but I like half hollow/quarter hollow the best. For size I don't really have a preference, I like my 3/8 le grelot and for me it shaves just as well as my 8/8 gryphon. Only perks to larger razor is holding more lather, my gryphon I just rinse lather off when I am done with that hand. Will say though I like my blades to be on the lighter side, my gryphon is not really that heavy and fits my hand perfectly. My other razors are 5/8-7/8 and I don't really prefer any of them over the others. Although if I was going to stick to 1 razor for res of my life I would go with a 5/8 maybe a bit smaller half hollow blade, square point.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Its a bit too subjective for an answer to satisfy, but the part of it that speaks to ergonomics is quite real. A few of the artists (literally) that have large hands - are able to grip and articulate the tiny shank of a smaller blade. Similarly, the guy w/ small hands may find the shank of the 1" choppers awkward to use and strop. The 1" Friodurs were awkward to get used to for me, and my hands take a size XL glove.

Rather than what size blade, maybe the most valid answer will be to hook up with other users that will let you try their gear. Maybe a regional meet-up, maybe a user is nearby. The alternative is usually taking someone's word that has different size hands, different skin, etc. Then buying & selling alot 'till your face is happy. When you try gear - make a mental note that the edge is different than the rest of the ergos. Some like a brisk, scrapey feel, others want butter smooth. That's a separate issue. Feel what sizes (mainly the shank) is easiest to articulate precisely. Thumb notch? Straight shank? How big?

Then, there's the fact that for every heavy grind - there's 100 full hollows. That doesn't mean the full hollows are better. I have a few full hollows and extra hollows, but my hands & face seem to like the heavy grind unless its Sheffield (I'm one of those oddballs for whom the steel causes facial tantrums). I sometime have to hunt around for a full hollow 'cause less than 20% of my razors are thin grinds. You can see how it would get expensive if you had to buy one of each to figure out what your face likes.

Everything with shaving is subjective.

I am not asking for opinions for me. I am asking "hey pinklather, what blade width/grind do you prefer." Oh you like 7/8" that's cool, why?"

I like learning what others like and enjoy.

Although I'm also a pretty new straight shaver, I've found that I have gotten my best results from larger hollow grinds. My best shave so far has come from a 8/8 full hollow. The bigger heftier blades have the weight to just glide down my face and take the whiskers with it with no pressure whatsoever. But, don't get me wrong, I still like my 9/16ths Special No. 1, it just takes a bit more mental awareness to tell myself not to use pressure because of how light the blade is.

I also like a hollow grind, 1/2 to extra hollow, anything a bigger than that I have trouble finding my sweet spot in cutting angle. It could just take a bit more using them, but that has been my experience thus far.

All in all, larger hollow grinds would by my choice as of right now.

My favorite tends to be whatever razor I'm using at the time, from 5/8 to 8/8 in size, from half-hollow to full-hollow. I like thumb-notches and double-jimps for their precise control. I will say that I don't use my 5/8 Dovo much since I prefer the medium to larger sizes, but it's still a great shaver and remains in rotation.

I don't know if I would like quarter-hollows or wedges since I have yet to try one out.

Any size 5/8 to 7/8 and any grind will do if it has a good edge in general. I have one 8/8 and it is like shaving with a spatula to me. Smaller than 5/8 and they get a little dainty for my liking. If I had to narrow it down more, make mine a 6/8 extra or belied hollow. Goldilocks size for me and I love the sound of scraping toast when using a very finely ground razor.

Bob

My preference is full-hollow in smaller blades (15mm - 17mm), usually Swedish made. Why? Because they are light and easy to maneuver around my face. I also like the auditory feedback the razors typically provide.

For me, full to extra hollow is what i like for a grind right now. The near wedge does a fine job on the shave but i find i get a bit of irritation from using them. Guess im not controlling the preasure as well as i sbould. And my perfered blade size is 13/16. Ive got all from 3/8 up to 8/8. If i use a 7/8 or a 6/8 i can tell its not the perfect size. Dont know why that is. One 1/16 makes a difference to me. Not that i dont like them or dont shave with other sizes, i just find the perfered is the 13/16.
I have long skinny fingers so i can hold most all razors comfortable but a thin shank isnt the best feel for me. Also thumb notches done work well in my hands. I like no jimps and a medium to thick shank. It just feels more solid in my hand. Now i wont be parting with any razors that dont meet these standards any time soon but its nice to know what you like.

My favorite is any razor with a proper edge on it, other than that I like them to have some sort of handle. ( ya I know ). Tc