Thread: 4/8 Puma

I can't even remember if I have used a 4/8 razor before for a full shave but decided to test one.

So - the test razor is a Puma, 222 Silberstahl, for tough beard. I can't see any hone wear on the spine, so it *may* be unused (as it's not shave-ready). Too bad it's not pristine - slight spotting and scales are cracked... But it didn't cost an arm and a leg, so it's OK for my test.

I have been getting good shaves with *small* 5/8 even with serious growth after many shave-less days, so I figured I am ready for a serious try. Plan to use it for shaves when I don't have much stubble, mostly.

Anyone with really tough beard using 4/8 for full shaves?

Cheers
Ivo

Yes, I have a very dense tough beard and although I preffer razors with a stiffer grind I have a 4/8 full hollow that is an absolutely great shaver. Ironically it is the first razor that I honed myself to give me a perfect BBS shave. Your whiskers only see the edge not the rest of the blade so it will work just as well as a bigger razor as long as it is very sharp. The only thing that I have found with smaller blades is that you have to be careful of the angle since it is not as easy to see as with the bigger razors. Also you might need a little more momentum before you hit the whiskers because it is not as heavy as a bigger razor so it wont have as much inertia. I also have a 4/8 puma that is a great shaver. Have not shaved with it in a while, so it might be time to take it out.

David - I have played a bit with a small 4/8 Eski blade before and it did handle very differently - on the hone, on the strop, and on the face. I sent it to Ilija and he proceeded to slice his TM strop, almost gave me a heart attack when I heard about it

The momentum is what really worries me most. I am not sure it will come from the razor itself... We'll see, I still haven't honed it yet. The good thing for tough beard - with such a narrow blade it had no choice but to be fairly stiff and not flex when it hits the stubble

Cheers
Ivo

Once again here is reference to tough beards. How does one know that one has a tough beard? Is it enough to know that one's beard does not lay down and whimper, "shave me, shave me" to know that one has a tough beard, or are there other indications that the hirsutes have heart?

While my tongue is generally tucked firmly in one or the other cheek, I'm genuinely curious here because the shaver is seemingly supposed to know of what character is his beard to be able to understand how to hone, how to strop, how to lather, and, perhaps most of all, how to select a suitable razor: 1/4 hollow. 1/2 hollow, full hollow, or that most difficult to hone, the wedge - not to mention what size this knife needs to be. Oh, by the by, why is the wedge so difficult to hone?

most curiously, Bruce

Ivo,

I seem to be taking a similar path to mparker762, in that I started out liking heavy blades but lately have been using lightweight blades. I have this flexy little Griffon 5/8 double hollow that's been giving me amazingly comfortable shaves.

I'm wondering if the grind isn't more of an issue early on, and as you progress in honing, stropping and shaving it matters less and less... Given my skin's tendency to get irritated with me, I must say the feedback from the lighter razors is helpful. My big Sheffields are like Grim Reapers, and they often take too much skin along with the stubble as they silently sweep across my face... OK, too much drama.

One of my favorite razors ever was a 4/8 full hollow Genco Head Barber that I sold here a while back. Dumb move, that.

For guys who have settled on heavier blades, I'd encourage you to go back and try lighter ones once in a while. You might be surprised. I was.

Josh

Originally Posted by Bruce

Once again here is reference to tough beards. How does one know that one has a tough beard? Is it enough to know that one's beard does not lay down and whimper, "shave me, shave me" to know that one has a tough beard, or are there other indications that the hirsutes have heart?

While my tongue is generally tucked firmly in one or the other cheek, I'm genuinely curious here because the shaver is seemingly supposed to know of what character is his beard to be able to understand how to hone, how to strop, how to lather, and, perhaps most of all, how to select a suitable razor: 1/4 hollow. 1/2 hollow, full hollow, or that most difficult to hone, the wedge - not to mention what size this knife needs to be. Oh, by the by, why is the wedge so difficult to hone?

most curiously, Bruce

FWIW I did not find any of the wedges that I have honed more difficult than full hollow razors. They just take a little more time since more metal has to be removed. I also hone wedges at a 45 degree angle for no other reason than that is what Lynn says he does. It could matter or it could not matter, I have not taken the time to experiment with this variable. I do know from experience that I like stiffer grinds because I have found them to take sturdier edges. The edges flex less and cut through my hair better. When I talked to Randy, he told me that he had the same prefference for the same reason. On the other hand, the blade size does not seem to matter much to me. My favorate razors are relatively small (5/8) wedges.

I prefer the 5/8 and 6/8 usually. I really think the 4/8 question depends on the quality of the razor. I have a 4/8 Double Duck wedge and a 4/8 Puma, and both shave like a dream. I like them both very much. I had a very nice 4/8(German, but can't remember which one) that I gave to my girl friend to shave her legs. I didn't care too much for it, hense.....

I have a lot of beard, but it is not coarse,so maybe that's why I can tolerate the 4/8 - but again they are really quality razors.

Steve

My smallest and largest razors are a Dubl Duck Special
No. 1 and a Friodur at 4/8 and 8/8, respectively. I find
that the Dubl Duck is a nice stiff blade, and shaves
wonderfully. The Friodur is a much hollower ground,
this thing sings quite audibly on the strop!

Both shave wonderfully, but I love the stiff feeling of
the Dubl Duck as well as my stiffer, wider blades.

- Scott

Originally Posted by sebell

The Friodur is a much hollower ground,
this thing sings quite audibly on the strop!

- Scott

If this is one of the Wacker grinds from old blanks - I think he grinds them in a special way and they are a bit flexy. I also remember lots of audible feedback using one of those

Anyway, I measured the Puma, it's actually a tad over 9/16... So definitely not a true 4/8. On the other hand, it looks significantly thinner than a 5/8 or 6/8

Cheers
Ivo

I don't know why people keep perpetuating the same old rumors and false stories about blade size and beard type. Remember throughout most of straight shavings golden age the 5/8 and 6/8 razor was probably used by 90% of men and an equal percentage of professional barbers. That should tell you the truth right there.

There is nothing wrong with large razors, I have several myself and there is nothing wrong with prefering larger razors but you know the old saying, sharp is sharp and it just does not matter. I would be so bold to say that if someone claims they have so tough a beard they just can't get a good shave with anything less than a 7/8s or 8/8s razor I would suggest they are just overcompensating for a lack of technique with the mass of that razor.

As I always say, if I take a 4/8s razor and an 8/8s and just magnify the very edge to 100x you will not be able to tell which is which by just looking at that edge and thats what your beard sees.

Now allow me to put on my asbestos suit before the replies come.