I am a newbie and have not much experience with straight razors. I have some razors, all are of 5/8 or 6/8 size. I learned that this is the easiest size. Why is almost everyone looking for bigger blades like the 8/8 ?
juko
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I am a newbie and have not much experience with straight razors. I have some razors, all are of 5/8 or 6/8 size. I learned that this is the easiest size. Why is almost everyone looking for bigger blades like the 8/8 ?
juko
personal preferance
I'm not. Ive got 2 8/8s and hardly use them. I find I get a better shave with a 5/8 or 13/16, sometimes even a 9/16.Quote:
Originally Posted by juko
By way of a partial answer. While there is an element of 'size does matter', one of the reasons new users are generally pointed to 5 or 6/8 is that they are more or less in the middle of the range and so give an idea where you may wish to go in the future. 5 and 6/8 are more plentiful too and so, generally a bit cheaper. Of course, that makes the larger blades rarer (can equal more desirable), and personal preference is important too. The latter changes over time IME, as does grind preference. Often cited is the fact that a larger blade requires less cleaning during the shave and while this is almost irrelevant to me, there is no reason to see this as invalid for someone else. Not all of us are looking for the larger ones either, I'd love to find more just to try them but I'm not turning down the smaller ones on point of principle, actually I'm not turning down the smaller ones, point:). So many great variations in the tool out there.
thanks for the input! i am leaning a bit towards some larger size, but 8/8 is really large and i think more difficult to handle.
juko
The heavier weight feels good. 8/8 wedges feel "luxurious"
For me, I just like the weight and feel of the larger blades. I've got a couple of 4/8's, but they feel very small in my hands compared to my 15/16 Wacker..!
"I like big blades and I cannot lie,
You other shavers cant deny,
Thats a razors fine when its wide from edge to spine,
And its heavy in your hand..."
:D
dunno, i keep a bunch of big ones around in case my preferences change, but every time i go to them they're too much for me.
last one's 1" wacker, it reminded me of why I sold my filarmonica no.14 and i have the feeling it's destined to follow it.
other people love them big. at one point i picked a 9/8 razor for somebody else and got to try it. it certainly was fun, but to me these are exotics for when i feel in the mood for something weird.
standard size for me is 6/8
Not being exactly petite (6.3ft), I find they fit my hands and face best. Big wedges, however, I find impossible to comfortably manoeuvre, so it is 7/8 or 8/8 hollow grinds for me (with the occasional 5/8 or 6/8 because they are fun, too).
As has already been said, it is personal preference.
Regards,
Robin
Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
6/8 is standard for me now, thanks
juko
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeBerlin
i am also 6.3, have rather big hands so the smaller ones do not fit. 5/8 and 6/8 are my sizes. he looks of a bigger one is great but not functional i think.
juko
I’m 6ft 2in and prefer 4/8ths
Now that I read Robin's post, I realize I have the same preference.Quote:
Originally Posted by BeBerlin
I liked my Fridour a lot better than my 7/8 Frederick Raynolds.
My proffered sizes are 7/8 and 6/8
I'm average sized (5'10 180) and my four favorite shavers are 8/8, 8/8, 8/8, and a 9/8. Still looking for a 10/8 wedge, and I know ONE guy who has a couple, but haven't been able to contact him in a while.
I prefer the surgical precision from my Iwasaki's. I have been using the smaller version from SRD for the last 5 months. I just received my Iwasaki Tamahagane Nihon Kamisori the other day and, wow. Beautiful in it's simplicity.
Like Otto says it's a personal preference. I change up with some of my larger razors periodically. But like John Wayne said in the movie True Grit, "too much gun". Sometimes it's good to go with a smaller caliber round so you don't chew up the meat.
Have a nice day..
5'5" and I gots big blade syndrome :tu
I don't think everyone is looking for them, but I do think they are not quite as common as the smaller blades
Hello, Juko:
As many gentlemen have pointed out, razor size is a matter of preference, as are many other traditional shaving products and tools.
In straight razors, I prefer to stay with the 5/8" and the 6/8" blades. The 7/8" and beyond are too big for my hands. I have several 4/8" blades, but the only one I like in the bunch is a cute little thing with a dreadnought point. Overall, I find the 4/8" too small for my hands.
That leaves me with the 5/8" and the 6/8", with which I am most comfortable.
As an aside, in razor points, I prefer, in this order: dreadnought, Spanish point, square point and round point. I have mixed feelings for French point, and dislike spike point. There, too, one type of point is not better than another; it is a question preference.
Regards,
Obie
Quote:
Originally Posted by cotdt
The lighter weight 5/8-6/8 is just so much easier to handle, I love the flex of an extreme hollow grind the comfort of the shave just can't be beat....
See it really is just a personal preference :):):)
I think my sweet spot is really in a 6/8 blade half hollow to full hollow. That said, I love the 5/8 extra hollow blades from the vintage days and an occasional 7/8. What's weird to me is that there are so many different width and grind of blades out there that give such wonderful shaves that the razor sometimes dictates the preference at the moment for me.
Actually, I have a few 4/8 razors that are stellar shavers and I reminded how much I like those every now and then too.......
Have fun,
Lynn
Excellent. You know where to ship that 8/8 Dovo you obviously have no use for...Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
I often considered this "issue". I have analyzed the pros and the cons of small and big razors. I do have smaller hands so smaller blades tend to be a tad easier to strop but I find the differences to be small. I agree that smaller blades are easier to use and very often give me much comfortable shaves. especially for someone like me that has facial hair. Having said all of this, I find myself buying meat cleavers almost exclusively... Why?, I wondered for some time. I have reached the conclusion that it is a visual thing, I like the looks of the bigger blades and that is why I buy them. I find them more exciting, and I am willing to go the extra mile to get my eyes satisfied. For me, like for some of the other posters, a 6/8 or 13/16 razor is the perfect size in terms of performance.
Al raz.
i have razors ranging from 3/8s to 17/16 in my stable. all give me at least a good shave one 4/8 ern gives a outstanding shave. if i wanted the best of all worlds i would shave my cheeks and neck with my b&w 7/8s wedge and my chin with my 4/8 ern.
I've slowly grown to like 6/8-7/8 quarter grinds & wedges. I have some 5/8s and 8/8s and more hollow grinds but they don't get as much use. Not a fan of 4/8s, I think I only have one left with the others all sold.
Personally I like my shiny and sharp things BIG!:tu
I guess I am just attracted to bigger pieces of steel. Can't tell you why.
Saying that, my best shaver is a 6/8 piece of Spanish Steel.
Mykel
well thank you all for your input, can i conclude that in general "it is a matter of taste" like almost all thing.
juko