Is the difference just the width of the blade?
I don't see a lot of people talking about 5/8, just the other ones. Is the 5/8 mainly a starter razor? why do people prefer the other ones more?
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Is the difference just the width of the blade?
I don't see a lot of people talking about 5/8, just the other ones. Is the 5/8 mainly a starter razor? why do people prefer the other ones more?
Yep, only has to do with the width of the blade... I prefer bigger blades because they allow me to make more passes without rinsing the blade and their bigger size/weight seems to help in regard to their control. Also, that's looking at the very long term, but a bigger blade will also theoretically last longer, all variables being equal. But YMMV. :D Try them all!
IMHO, the reason lots of folks like larger razors (although they won't admit it) is that they have razor envy. :p
Nah, seriously, larger razors will last you years longer than the shorter one. By the time you've honed a 5/8 to a nub, you'll still have half a razor to pass along to your great great grandkids if you bought an 8/8. Additionally, The larger razors hold more lather than do the skinnier razors...less time wiping and more time on the face! Personally, I like a good 5/8. I learned on one and I'm the fastest with one since I'm more comfortable with one and I can get around corners faster.
And not forgetting the rare vintage 1/8 or 2/8 that your find on ebay from time to time...:eek:
Michael.
The reason a 5/8 is a good starter razor is that it allows you to choose whether you want a narrower or wider razor. Its basically mid field, so you can make a better decision about which way to go...!
It just seems to be a taste thing as to why people prefer the wider ones. I have a couple of 5/8's, a 6/8 and a 15/16. I love them all, but I do prefer the 6/8 and 15/16 I would say.
I guess all I can really recommend is to bring on the RAD and go and try a load of different grinds and widths...! Hehe!
v76,Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
:thinking:
This is purely a personal preference...In my case, I prefer the wider blades, I own only a 5/8 which is as good as my Jungmeister 7/8; but since I have big hands manuverability is improved when I use a wide bladed razor. I also own two 8/8 a Henckels and Dorko 300 and I feel very confortable using them. As to durability, a properly honed razor will last generations no matter how wide the blade. Just my 2 cents. HOG.
Yep, personal preference gets my vote. Best advice for a starter that I've seen (and agreed with, natch) is a 6/8, half hollow. Puts you bang in the middle. This infomation is copyright, Glen… credit where credit's due.
Jhenry:Quote:
Originally Posted by jhenry
I think we're in similar spots - for my first razor I got a Dovo Best Quality and I was torn between a 5/8 and 6/8 and chose the larger. I just figured whichever I got first, I'd probably get the other one next. I lucked out on ebay and got a sweet 5/8 Bengall after that, which I sent out to get honed (I think it arrives today!).
I think my RAD is rearing it's head - I just nabbed a 13/16 yesterday trying to see how I like something a little bigger. I'd if you're still learning and want a new razor, maybe get something a little different but still in the middle of the road. Who knows, maybe you'll like the 6/8 better? If you do get a new razor don't forget to show it off!
:gl:
All of them are great shavers.
The 5/8 is great for hard to reach areas such as under the nose or going around the chin or possibly the chin crease. Personally, the smaller size is nicer for maintaining the correct pitch (angle) in difficult areas versus larger blades but that is not to say it cannot be done with a larger blade, you just have to learn how to stretch the skin differently.
I prefer the 6/8 but I have some excellent 5/8 shavers, too. I feel as if the 6/8 little extra weight seems to allow me to reduce the slight pressure needed. But, that is just me. Also, as mentioned with rinsing, I've noticed I don't need to rinse as often with a larger blade whereas with smaller ones I've seen some stubble slop back on my face.
Alternatively, I believe this is a personal preference more than anything. I've spoken to some gents in SRP chat that dislike the 8/8 while others believe it's "the cats meow". This more or less, IMO, falls under your preference and how you shave. Once you find your niche the blade will fall into its own place and give you the feeling of great ease while shaving. Then, you too, will begin to target a specific size and then there is no turning back... RAD will kick in.
I hope this helps you out...
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.
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! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by jhenry
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. :rock:
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,
:beer2:
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?
yes this is the size in inches, or approximately the size, as there are plenty of razors labeled something and being up to 1/8 larger (and if you check the recent Thiers-Issard thread in this section you'll see that sometimes they're smaller than advertised too).
5/8 is not too small. It's the most abundant size, which should actually tell you something. Plus the more a razor stands out for whatever reason, the more chance it can become a topic to talk about, that has nothing to do whether it is any better for using.
Other than that, apart from larger width, larger razors have more weight, which has just as much if not bigger effect on shaving.
You should get something close to the standard 5/8 hollow grind.
Honestly I made an effort when I was first aquiring razors to get as many different sizes as possible... I have hit every size in 1/16 increments from 3/8 to 8/8 except 7/16ths and either 7/8 or 13/16 (I have a blade that is like, 27/32- right in between those sizes) and honestly all I can say is Gugi is absolutely right- weight is far and away the biggest factor.
The little ones are more nimble but I think it is harder to get the right angle, the big ones have some heft, are a little clunkier and are easier to see/feel what angle they are at.
But other than that sharp is sharp and I have gotten equally good shaves off of my 4/8 1/4 hollow as my singing 6/8 as my near wedge 8/8. Its all preference in the feel.
Yup, just put the quote marks after the 8 and youv'e got it: 6/8 = 19mms.
:beer2:
and an ounce of leather is a 64th of an inch - go figure.
When I first started out, I used 5/8s and a 9/16. I progressed to a 7/8 and longed for an 8/8. I've tried many different grinds and personally prefer 5/8 quarter hollows and 6/8 hollows most of the time. I love my 5/8 frameback too.
I have a couple of choppers, both in 8/8 and seldom use them. I'm gonna sell them as they're just not for me.
+1, similar preferences. I like small almost-wedges and medium full hollows. I love my 8/8 chopper but it is a novelty thing, I can't foresee having lots of massive blades for daily use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scipio