upgrade to a 6/8 ?

been SR shaving for a little more than 6 mths now.
it's been great but now wondering if a move up to a 6/8 would make any sort of real difference?
will it feel very different with the extra width of the blade?
i have a Dovo special 5/8 and i'm considering either a micarta 6/8 or stay with the 5/8 but in a dovo renaissance.
i can see going into a 6/8 would be something different and worth a try but if i opt for te Renaissance 5/8 then will it be the same old ame old? or is the renaissance that much nicer than the special?
OR should i go up to a 7/8 ? do most people make small jumps or do they just go from a 5/8 straight to a 8/8 or bigger ?
thanks

Welcome to SRP ! There is a lot of good info here in the SRP Wiki. The width of the blade is a personal preference and you will never know until you try. I like all of the widths from 5/8 to 8/8 and even beyond occasionally. I have a couple of 4/8 but I am not particularly fond of that small a blade. If it was me I would dip my foot in the water and get the 6/8 rather then diving in for the 7/8. My guess is you will like it and the 7/8 will be next. :tu

thanks Jimmy.. yea i'm thinking about that 6/8 and would like to give that a try.
and i might have got my razors mixed up as well.
i think the micarta comes in a 5/8 and it's the renaissance that comes in a 6/8.
so i would be getting the renaissance 6/8, seems nice but smaller length of the blade though it seems, ( the atual cutting area, from what i can see in the pictures)

The Renaissance is a 6/8. and the outline of the blade is also much different than the Dovo 5/8 stainless. Give it a try.

Different sizes, shapes, grinds, type of steel make each razor feel different. I liken it to wine tasting, there are subtle (and not so subtle) differences that make using and collecting straights so enjoyable!

If you use a variety of razors then there's not really a lot of difference in feel between a full hollow 5/8 and a full hollow 6/8. But it sounds like you've only been using the one razor for 6 months, so any change is going to feel significant. But even so a 6/8 will feel much more similar to a 5/8 than it will to a 7/8, given similar grinds.

AFAIK the dovo micarta is a 5/8 razor and the renaissance is a 6/8. Also the micarta is stainless steel, which will make it feel different as well.

The Dovo 6/8 Special is a very nice razor, and will give you a head-to-head comparison of the sizes. And TI makes a bunch of 6/8 razors.

special is the only razor i have so a change will be nice.
both the micarta and the renaissance are suppose to be stainless steel
will have to see which one i'll take the plunge with.. maybe stop wondering and get them both :tu
that would be nice

I have two of the micartas, which were my main shavers for years. I recently purchased the Renaissance. They are all excellent shavers.

After venturing out and getting other razors, I've come to prefer slimmer scales than the micartas. But the micartas still find their way into the rotation.

that's interesting you say that coz this is about a dozen times now that i've heard the micarta scales are on the larger side!! was it really that bad or just not as comfortable as the others?
BTW, where does one find henckel's blade? can't seem to find anyone that sells them? or are they mostly vintage?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vespar72

that's interesting you say that coz this is about a dozen times now that i've heard the micarta scales are on the larger side!! was it really that bad or just not as comfortable as the others?
BTW, where does one find henckel's blade? can't seem to find anyone that sells them? or are they mostly vintage?

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John Crowley at the Shaving Shop has some here. I've bought razors from him and have always been well satisfied. If you don't hone your own he offers the honing service.

thanks Jimmy, i actually read a thread regarding John Crowley and i really don't want to start anything here as that particular thread was extremely heated.
BUT, i'm still new to this SR shaving so i really do not want to get myself into a situation where my razor doesn't perfectly fit the scales etc
might just stick to new Dovos for the moment until i get a little more experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vespar72

thanks Jimmy, i actually read a thread regarding John Crowley and i really don't want to start anything here as that particular thread was extremely heated.
BUT, i'm still new to this SR shaving so i really do not want to get myself into a situation where my razor doesn't perfectly fit the scales etc
might just stick to new Dovos for the moment until i get a little more experience.

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I think you can trust working with John. 'nuff said.

You have to take some chances and try different blade sizes, grinds, etc. You won't know until you try - and try them for a while before you draw conclusions. As your technique gets better, the way you feel about different razors changes. You have your whole life so enjoy.

Jordan

thanks Jordan, i just contacted John yest'day and asked him all the question regarding these Henckels.
i've gone for the 7/8 Henckels Friodur Round Point - black plastic.
he seems very nice to deal with and very quick to respond to my emails, which is great.
haven't read too much about this particular 7/8 Henckels but hopefully it'll be a good razor.
i want to get that Renaissance 6/8 as well, going to get that from Vintage, so it'll be a good mix with my Dovo 5/8 special and these 2 additions should give me a wider scope on what kind of razor i like.

Good deal. The Friodurs are a hefty, stiff shaver. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you don't, you can always sell it for close to what you paid. Try a 5/8 or 6/8 heavy blade - a half hollow or wedge. I have a 5/8 Hess wedge that's a blast. All the maneuverability with the heaviness of a bigger blade. They're fun.

Jordan

i was going to get the 7/8 but just as i was about to order the razor i took a last look at the other stuff and the same razor pooped into my radar but with a rosewood scale from Robert Williams.
the basic Henckels with the plastic scale is alright but the one with the nicer scale is much better BUT is reflected in the price.
now i'm tempted to get that razor.. should not have taken a second look, my mistake is going to cost me an extra $90 :gaah:

You can't go wrong spending the extra cash ... Robert puts out a great product. Look at the scales on this beast: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor-clubs/28908-robert-williams-experience.html

They are SOLID, well built, well finished, well balanced, good looking scales that will last a lifetime if taken care of.

Go for the wood, you won't be sorry once you see them in person.

Steve

thanks Steve, the scales that are on the Henckels has very similar scales as your RW razor.
very nice indeed.
thing is though, if you're really going to have a RW scale and pay the extra premium on a Henckels , then i might as well go a little further and ask RW to make me a new razor.
i'm pretty sure that the RW razor would have a much much smoother shave than Henckels:shrug:
i don't have either raozrs so i can't comment but just based on reviews alone

I do not know if you realize there's several months wait list for one of Robert's :)

And yes the Friodurs are fantastic, I've never tried RW, but the difference in shave quality can't be all that much. But, a unique hand made to order razor is very much different thing than a mass produced one, even if the later one has been spiffied up with a nicer set of scales.

yep, RW is a bit of a wait, i was only half serious about RW anyway, it's a lot of coin to part with even if it is for a very nice razor.
i was lurking around the web and came across nashville knife shop and they are selling newly made 5/8 Henckels.
not all that cheap at $150 and still with the synthetic handles.
may even think about those.