Blade Width: 5/8 vs 6/8 +

Tried to search the threads for an answer before posting what is probably a redundant question that the old-timers here have answered before, but, w/o success, so, apologies is this is an old topic.

understanding much has to do with personal preference, in general terms, what are the real/or/claimed what are the actual/claimed shaving qualities of the more common widths, (5/8 v. 6/8 and wider)?

Perhaps I should mention...absent mustach/sideburns/Go-Tee, if those are factors...

Thanks in advance for any replies.

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Scott:shrug:

Scott,

As you noted from what others have said, it's a matter of personal preference. This other agreeing with whomever those others were who said that, thinks that a fair number of straight users graduate to larger blades as their experience grows, I know I have. My original blade was/is (I'll always keep it, it' the first one, you know :)) 5/8; I now use 6/8 and 7/8. When the rotation runs 7/8 for a while, going back to even a 6/8 makes that size seem kinda small.

A while ago I ordered a 6/8 which came a 7/8 - OMG thought I. Rather than send it back, cuz it had gorgeous scales - which were exactly what I had ordered - I decided to keep the razor thinking that maybe some day I'd try the monster. I use the monster regularly now and like it a lot. :)

So counsel from one shaver here: if you decide to go 6/8, I don't think you'd choose poorly. The blade being bigger doesn't need to be rinsed/wiped quite a much as a smaller blade - for what that's worth. And may, with its slightly larger size, strop more comfortably. :confused:

For what that's all worth...

:beer2:

It's a personal preference. The more I shave, the more I like a 5/8 or slightly smaller full hollow because its easier to control. A 4/8 wedge is also really nice to me. Shave wise, I like old Sheffield curved blades because they handle my neck more comfortably, but these are rarely curved and also full hollows, so go figure.
Larger blades hold more soap and theoretically have a longer life. Once you get over a certain width its all about feel to me. I really like a 13/16 hollow slightly curved, but there are not a lot of razors made that way. Your face will tell you as you go along, so be patient and start with one. If you buy a quality blade, you can sell it and move up or down if you decide you don't like it.
Just my two cents in a very disorganized manner.

I have blades that I use regularly ranging anywhere between 3/8 and 10/8
I like the feel of the bigger blades for most uses, because the weight of the blade seems to do the work for me. When I use a 5/8 it feels small, and even the sharpest blade seems to hesitate before cutting my beard... ( I have very thick coarse beard hair) I have a very light (& ugly) 3/8 wedge that I shortened for the PCR thread, and I like that almost as much as my larger blades...

In all honesty, I think once you use larger blades you will not want to go back to a 5/8...

It's all preference. Unlessy you try them you won't know. Ultimately they all have a sharp edge, the difference is the wider the blade the more meat their is behind it. The more heft, if you like.

I pretty much routinely use 4/8 razors. I like the way they look, I enjoy shaving with them. I have 1 6/8 and I use it sporadically. I've used up to 7/8. My first razor was a 5/8 I believe, not used for a long time, but I keep it also because it was my first razor. Maybe I should use it again.

Larger razors tend to be heavier, but that is a function of size and grind. That weight can give the blade more momentum, making it feel like it's cutting more easily, but a smaller, lighter blade may feel more maneuverable. It's often easier to judge blade angle with a larger razor; I find that I feel more in control with a larger and wider tang because they are less likely to roll in my fingers - but once you are comfortable with any razor control shouldn't be a problem.

I like using a variety of razor sizes and grinds because I enjoy the differences in how they feel when shaving.

I too like a variety of sizes and grinds but I find that I like 5/8 full hollows a lot. Years ago when I would go into barber shops and ask the old fellows if they had any spare old razors they would sell the majority seemed to be 5/8 IIRC. I think a 5/8 full hollow will have slightly less flex than a 6/8 FH. I like the 5/8 best of all I guess. Just IMO.

Very helpful information to me guys...thank you all for taking the time...you can't beat experience!

To perfectly honest, yet probably very unhelpful, the width of the blade is pretty irrelevant. 7/8ths might be a touch wide for daily use.

On the other hand, shank width is really critical to me. I look very closely at the shank width. That is the point that your fingers make contact with and a tiny shank is a P in the A to strop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

To perfectly honest, yet probably very unhelpful, the width of the blade is pretty irrelevant. 7/8ths might be a touch wide for daily use.

On the other hand, shank width is really critical to me. I look very closely at the shank width. That is the point that your fingers make contact with and a tiny shank is a P in the A to strop.

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+1, also a short shank such as I've seen on a custom or two can 'cramp' my style literally. I'm holding the tang and the tip of the scales as I strop.

One of the things I don't like about ducks and some other Solingens is the smooth tangs without jimps. Relatively thin for my hand and I have to be more conscious of the grip when I'm shaving with them.

My dear Scott,

As these learned gentlemen have noted, in the end, the size of a blade becomes a question of personal preference. I feel one size is not better than another — how does one determine that?

What matters is what and how you feel. I have 5/8" and 6/8" razors and like them equally. What do you like?

Try all the sizes. Have all of them in your collection. Variety is good.

Since I have small hands, however, I feel slightly uncomfortable with razors bigger than 6/8" size. That's just me. They feet like battle axes in my hands. Others love them. That's how it should be — because the straight razor is such a personal thing, like your signature.

On the other end, I feel uncomfortable with 4/8" blades. Some people love the 4/8".

It's a world of intangibles. Go with what your heart tells you. Most of all, enjoy your shave.

Regards,

Obie

Have a 1/2 blade and the 15/16 blade and everything in between, and I still have no preference. They all are fun to shave with and I get excellent results.

However, I do like the weight of the 15/16 when stropping.

Pabster

I have both 5/8 and 6/8 razors, and honestly, I can't really tell them apart-- they are pretty close. One nice about the 6/8-- if you screw up on honing and put a frown in it, you can get it fixed and end up with a 5/8...

;^)

-Chief

I started posted this question over 1-month ago and will qualify that my shaving has been limited to 5/8 & 6/8 before the post and since...the razors have been both older razors that I honed, (getting good results with my honing, I'm very pleased to say and owe that to the responses to my other questions on honing), (Wade Butcher, Shumate, Wostenholm XLI, Klausberg Bros., Finedge-Magnet), and a new Dovo-Bismarck 6/8 and Prima Klang 5/8.

The Bismarck is the one with the bone scales and I love the appearance, the Prima Klang has the violet wood, a looker too.

As the experienced members noted, it must be a matter of choice, what is comfortable to the shaver, but, with that said, I have found my preference, though I will continue to use both 5/8 & 6/8...My preference is the 6/8 blade. I just completed a shave with the Bismarck...as someone noted, and this is important...I feel I have more control on the strop with th 6/8; the width and weight of the blade seem to assist in maintaining proper contact. Though stropping isn't shaving, if you screw it up, the shave isn't going to be so great - right. The Shave: I noted that my strokes glide smoothly, not day and night between the 5/8 & 6/8, but, the shave goes faster. Angulation is easier for me to gauge with a wider blade.

Anyway...I paid attention to all the comments offered a month ago and thought I'd report back. Finally, The 5/8 Prima Klang is a very fine razor IMHO and remains one of my primary shavers...can't say enough good about the Dovos. The vintage mentioned and other I have are somewhat of a kick, but, I think I'll retired them simply to keep or perhaps sell and obtain another Dovo or three to use for my daily shaving.

Thank you all for your thoughts on this and other questions I've fielded.

Hi,

+1 on what has been said about personal preference.

I used to prefer the 6/8 & 7/8 sizes; I then got a 4/8 Puma.

I enjoyed this little rascal so much, I added a few more 4/8 & 9/16 razors to my collection.

I now enjoy shaving with them all :)

If you have the chance, please try a few differenet sizes of blade.

You may be surprised at what you like !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ