Rewriting the Urban Myths of the 9/8ths

After much wait, my highly anticipated razor arrived on Monday. I was partly nervous and excited about it coming in the mail. I had waited for so long (3 weeks), and finally it was here, but I also knew that meant that it was time for me to buck up and use it.
I usually use a 4/8ths, and of course I have heard all the would-be horror stories of the difficulty involved and the possibility of shedding flesh when using a 9/8ths. The question was: Am I man enough to shave with meat cleaver?-Could I do without my top lip?
I have only been shaving since September, and although I wasn't sure I was ready, I just decided to jump into it head first-risking top lip and all.
So here I am, as someone who has been there and back using a 9/8ths, ready to dispel all the untruths that are circulating out there.
I want to express my disappointment--My complete disappointment that I was fully equipped and ready to patch up any nasty gashes, or bloody wounds, when there was no need to even treat razor burn. All I was left with was a clean shave, baby bottom smooth skin, and very manly feeling; the kind that can only come from standing in the mirror and seeing a reflection welding a 9/8ths and not the familiar 4/8ths.

Glad it went well for you. The bigger razors can be a bit less manuverable, but they are still totally usable. Upper lip is no problem if you can do the coupe, and since larger blades tend to be wedges and wedges are very forgiving, they make doubly smooth shavers. Shhh, don't tell anyone how great they are, it might drive up prices!

I too recently had my first shave with a 9/8 RW custom that he nick named "The Titan." Just razor just plows through my beard like it wasnt even there! :)

My razor is a full hollow or at least very close to a full hollow.

Hm, I guess I just assumed.

I have three razors that each win "top three" honors EVERY time I shave with them. One is a 9/8 greaves wedge c 1835 restored by Traveller. (the other two "smaller" ones include a 8/8 custom damascus Chandler).

That old wedge just squeegies the hair off my face. ESPECIALLY with a few day's growth!!

I had gotten started shaving with straights and was still going through the learning curve. I came across a 9/8 Robert Williams that a fellow had and bought it. I had been shaving with 5 and 6/8 blades up until then.

So I stropped and got started with the 9/8 and before I got very far I felt too awkward in maneuvering it and I aborted the mission. I rinsed and wiped it and stropped and put it away for three months or so. By the end of that time having shaved daily with a straight I got it out again and found that I could get around fine with it.

I rarely shave with razors that are as large as that but I am glad I have a couple and enjoy them when the mood strikes me. Thanks for the post, I may just get one out and give it a go for today's shave. :)

I shave with a big 8/8 Wostenholm once in a while. While not as big as a 9/8, it is still considerably larger than my favorite 5/8 and 6/8 singing blades. I do not find it more dangerous to use, but fairly less comfortable. IMHO the part where the razor matters most for a BBS is the ATG pass and I do not see any advantage of larger blades there.