Thread: What should I get...5/8 or 6/8?

I'm fairly new to shaving with a straight razor and think I'm ready to order a better razor now that I've gotten accustomed to honign and stropping. When I first decided to shave with a straight, I had my barber order a C-Mon Cadillac 5/8 razor which shaves great, holds a terrific edge and I have no complaints about it. However, I would like to get a higher quality razor to use as my primary and keep the C-Mon as my back up. I've narrowed it down to two DOVO's and would like some experienced advice to help me choose one. One of them is the DOVO Genuine Red Bone 5/8 and the other is the DOVO Red "Bismarck" 6/8. The following are the questions I have: 1. Since I started shaving with a 5/8 razor, what differences can I expect if I were to shave with a 6/8? 2. I can't find anything to tell me if both razors have 3" blades? 3. Does anyone have any experience with either or both razors? Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

If you already have a 5/8, I'd get a 6/8 or 4/8, or even a 7/8.

It's good to try different things.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

If you already have a 5/8, I'd get a 6/8 or 4/8, or even a 7/8.

It's good to try different things.

+1. Different grinds are good to play with too.

I started with a 5/8 then got a 4/8 and now have a few 5/8, 6/8 and a couple of 4/8s. They all feel a little different, so go ahead and buy the one that most tickles your fancy. I would say to stick with one razor till you're really comfortable using a straight razor though, as I think it helps you become familiar with the whole process.

Most people who move up to 7/8 find that becomes their favorite size.

I have a 6/8 and a couple of 5/8s. Compared to other differences between the razors, the 5 vs 6 makes little difference, to me anyway.

The 6/8 will be easier at everything that you do , ie: Stropping & Honing, and will not be quite as agile as the 5/8 in the tight spots....Will there be a huge difference??? NOPE !!!! I would bet the biggest difference you notice is while stropping as the 6/8 will seem way easier to keep flat on the strop and that will even help when you are stropping the 5/8 too

These are some of the same reasons that I normally always recommend the 6/8 half hollow as a first razor, as it is the true middle ground when it comes to razordom...

+1 to what Glen said. IME when you get into a 7/8 or 8/8 than there is a perceptible difference in the way it feels to manipulate it around the shave area. Even with those after a few shaves it becomes familiar and comfortable. I would get the 6/8 if for nothing else for the variety.

Originally Posted by John Crowley

Most people who move up to 7/8 find that becomes their favorite size.

So that explains the fact that there gazillions of 7/8ths on the market, but only a handful of 6/8ths.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

So that explains the fact that there gazillions of 7/8ths on the market, but only a handful of 6/8ths.

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