Thread: 5/8, 6/8, or 7/8?

Most of my razors are 5/8 and that's unlikely to change in the near future. While I do appreciate the larger razors, I seem to get my best shaves from the more agile 5/8. I do have a fairly bony face.

My dear Salazch,

In the end the width of the razor becomes a matter of preference. I started with the 5/8" and moved to the 6/8". All the razors I have bought in the past year or so have been 6/8". Still, I continue to enjoy my 5/8" blades and like the variation of switching between 5/8" or 6/8".

It is what you prefer that matters and using a 5/8" makes you no less of a gentleman shaver. You might even try the 7/8". Try them all.

Regards,

Obie

5/8ths seems to be a very common starting point. After awhile and experimenting we all seem to settle on a preferred width(s).
My sweet spot has turned out to be 13/16ths Solingen hollow ground razors. I still keep one 5/8ths and a bunch of 6/8ths razors of various grinds from several countries because some change keeps shaving interesting. Every now and then I even use a DE for a change of pace.
I've found I don't enjoy ultra light straight razors. A little heft suits me better.

Like watches and many other things over time things have expanded in size. Originally the earliest razors were these big monsters because that is the only way they knew how to make them but once they learned to do hollow grinds most razors produced were 5/8s which were kind of the universal size with a smaller number of 6/8s. That's why when you see all these vintage blades out there most are 5/8s and 6/8s. If you went into a barber shop in the 1940s or so that's what you would find they used. Nowadays guys like 7/8s and larger. Of course straights were made by the tens of millions and all sizes and grinds and configurations were made and they come up on Eboy. Its just that the common types are more plentiful.

If your starting out just get what you like. A smaller blade is easier to maneuver on your face and probably most would recommend either a 5/8s or 6/8s for a rookie.

Originally Posted by jhenry

v76,

Interesting...I would think that the smaller size and less weight of a 5/8" would provide a shaver with more control, not a 6/8" or 7/8". Why and/or how is that?

My reason for asking is that I am considering purchasing a 6/8" str8 razor at some point in the future.

Thanks in advance for your response to my query.

Well, to me, the heavier blade will be slower to move around my face and I definitely always know where it is... which is not the case with a smaller blade with light scales. That's why I still use my Wapis with their original scales!

I have 4/8, 5/8, 6/8 and 7/8. I like em all and just depends on mood. I usually reach for the smaller blades when the shave is a utility shave and fast and keep the larger blades for my weekend shut the door, put some music on refresh shaves.

sometimes I enjoy just looking at the razor and scales for awhile - I'm a dork but they are pleasing to the eye - especially when you got some old ones that have been "refreshed"

Guys with thicker, courser beards tend to find heavier blades (e.g. larger width and/or wedges, 1/4, or 1/2 grinds versus full grinds) work better for them. It's that whole pressure thing - since the blade has more weight of it's own it takes less pressure to cut throught thick, hard hairs.

Of course, if you have sharp, angular facial features it can be a fair bit trickier to get under you nose, in the curve at the hinge of your jaw, and the hollows on your neck just to either side of the Adam's apple with a big, heavy 7/8 than it would with a 4/8 or 5/8.

Bottom line: as most others have already said, in the end it'll boil down to personal preference. That's why I always suggest new straight users pick up 3 or 4 affordable, shave-ready used razors from the SRP classified rather than immediately run out and drop $100-$200 on a new Dovo or TI. Then, once you find the size and grind that best suits your tastes and needs, you can trade up to fancy new razor.

Why the different sizes? Are you kidding me?! So you can buy more cool razors. Dudes, I thought everyone here knew this.

Well, Zack,

It's like this: it's purely a matter of taste. I've graduated from 5/8 to 7/8 with forays forth and back. rotationally speaking, to 6/8.

So there you have the long and short or it, or the narrow and wide of it, depending on your perspective.

Glad to be of help - anytime,

So I don't want to start too big. Looks like 5/8 is a good starter but some feel its too narrow. So 6/8 looks good too. By the way, are these measurments based on a one inch width?