Thread: Big Razors Beware!

I normally am not a fan of small razors but this 4/8 GRACIE manufactured by GRAH & CO. SOLINGEN-WALD is very manueverable and honed easily to a fantastic edge on the coticule and Naniwa 12k.

However I am sort of partial to my 15/16 Filarmonica.

Yikes Jimmy, if you rushed with that 10/8 you could lose an arm..!

I just got a pair of 4/8" Germer razors on eBay which I'm looking forward to trying out. I've not honed them yet as I want to take them apart and give them a real good clean and polish, as well as centering one of them which can catch on the scales when you close it.

Thus far, my preference has been for wider blades (6/8"+), and these are my first 4/8"s razors, so maybe I'll be a convert..!

Finally! A place for us skinny guys! Well, at least skinny razors.

I've developed a taste for 5/8 wedges with an oblique point.

So far I've got a Thomas Turner, Wade and Butcher, Longwood Brothers and Red Imp 132. Ok, the Red Imp doesn't have the point I like but I love the way it shaves.

I've tried a 7/8 Wade and Butcher wedge but it's just too heavy in my hand. I've also used a Simmons Hardware 421 Barbers Pet that's been honed down to 4/8 sometime in it's past and it was my favorite until I descovered the 5/8 wedgies.

Also just got a 3/8 swedish in real ivory scales that needs to be honed.

Thanks for letting me share.

Zacsdaddy

Originally Posted by mrsell63

I normally am not a fan of small razors but this 4/8 GRACIE manufactured by GRAH & CO. SOLINGEN-WALD is very manueverable and honed easily to a fantastic edge on the coticule and Naniwa 12k.

However I am sort of partial to my 15/16 Filarmonica.

Jerry,

If you really do not want to join the fantastic shaving of skinny blades, I would do my best and reluctantly taking that gracie from you.




I am happy even the big razor guys find a skinny one they will use in there rotation.

And this evening I will take a picture of my 4/8 and post it.


Jeremy

Last night I had an exceptional shave with my C.V. Heljestrand that is a 3/8.

Definately more maneuverable than the big brothers.

I found I vastly preferred 5/8 to 6/8 for it's ability to follow contours and fit into hard to shave areas. ie: The 5/8 was a lot easier for my moustache area, chin hollow, corners of the mouth, and grooves alongside my trachea. The 6/8 was a little easier on the flat (easy to shave) areas though. The 6/8 also "seemed" to stay sharper a few days longer. I eventually decided this was due to the extra weight since the grind angle seemed to be the same (ie: the longer 6/8 also had a thicker spine).

My Heljestrand and Shumate both turn out to be closer to 4/8 than 5/8, which I originally thought they were, but they're my best shaves. The 7/8 GD is always fun though. I wouldn't have a clue how to use a 10/8. Crikey!

There was a 3/8 down at the same antique shop where I bought the Heljestrand and the Shumate, but I rejected it as being too small to be stable. Maybe I should make a pilgrimage...

Fred

Originally Posted by fpatton

My Heljestrand and Shumate both turn out to be closer to 4/8 than 5/8, which I originally thought they were, but they're my best shaves. The 7/8 GD is always fun though. I wouldn't have a clue how to use a 10/8. Crikey!

There was a 3/8 down at the same antique shop where I bought the Heljestrand and the Shumate, but I rejected it as being too small to be stable. Maybe I should make a pilgrimage...

Fred

Yes I think you should do just that. You can never have too many razors you know.

5/8 for me all the way. Its the perfect balance IMO

Most of my razors are 5/8 & 6/8 but I do have a 4/8 no name wedge (that I've used just once) that still needs some honing so I can't judge it yet and a 4/8 J. A. Henckels that I love the feel of but so far have not been able to get a real good clean shave from it, after 3 passes there is still some stubble. I have 2 Frederick Reynolds 5/8 that leave almost none after 3 passes. So for now I want to like the 4/8 best but need some cooperation from the blade or honer (me) first.