Thread: what is it with the big blades like the 8/8?

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

Originally Posted by juko

Why is almost everyone looking for bigger blades like the 8/8 ?

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.

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..."

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

Originally Posted by gugi

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

6/8 is standard for me now, thanks

juko