Gauging The "Conventional Wisdom" On Straight Razor Specs For The Beginner

As regards grinds, I think the full hollow is best for the beginner. You get quite a lot of feedback and learn to adjust the angle pretty quickly. I would temper this advice by recommending the newcomer stick to 5/8 and 6/8 razors. Bigger or smaller in my opinion makes things a bit harder. Wedge grinds are feedback deficient and the weight can be off-putting. Still, if you learn to shave with a wedge, everything else will seem easier ;) - IMO, YMMV etc.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Locally, when barbers were allowed to use a straight razor to shave you with, I recall barbers using a 5/8 full hollow round point to shave their clients with. It was all that was needed to give clients a safe, comfortable and close shave. I think a 5/8 round point shave ready razor of any grind is a good starting point for a beginner today. It's all you need to get a good shave.

Bob

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My barber, with over 50 years experience, always preferred the 5/8 blade foe shaving customers and himself.

Yeah, it's hard to beat a 5/8 shave ready full hollow when learning.
Having said that, if your first razor was a 7/8 wedge silent whisker assassin..

I started with a 4/8 Torrey, round point. I also had to clean up the rust, and hone it.

That was many years ago.