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When I started shaving just over a month ago I was using a GD, and was able to try a Dovo both of which are 6/8 or slightly larger. Recently I receive a 4/8 BJ eyre, and I love it!! It is quick and nimble it hugs the sharp angles of my face like a dream, it is narrow enough to slip under my nose with out any problems, and it just feels great in my hand.
I would love to hear other shavers who prefer the smaller size razors, the big razor guys have had there say.
Skinny Razor Shavers Speak Up!
So far I like 'em all in one way or another but I confess that having razors from 10/8 to 4/8 my favorite is 5/8.
same here got the big ones and the small all give me a great shave but my best shaver is a puma 11/16 cant even feel it on your face and nothing is left in its wake
My face is angular as well, and the 4/8 is perfect for the areas you mentioned. But, for the wide open spaces, I prefer 5/8 or 6/8. I keep thinking about using two razors while shaving. But, then the cleanup required discourages me.
But, for my face, the 4/8 gives a decidedly better shave for portions of my face. Especially under my chin where the direction of the grain makes shaving close very difficult.
One of the best razors, experience wise, I've used was a large razor (size of scales) whose blade was honed quite narrow, 4/8, because of severe chipping. The size of the scales gave great feel, and the narrow blade gave good control.
I use a 4/8 wedge for my daily shaver and i love how easy it is to move around my face. The only downfall would be that you have to clean the lather off about every 1/2 a stroke.
Do you have a picture of that 10/8 you could post up? So far I've had good luck with the 5/8 razors I've been using, and will try some 7/8 and 8/8 when I get them honed, but as far as asthetics good, I love the look of a large blade, and would love to see a 10/8.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Yes I have em all and enjoy using them all and have a 4/8s swede that's an outstanding shaver. If I had to pick a favorite size it would be hard but probably 6/8s would be it.
For full hollows, I like them bigger, but I love little wedges, of which the smallest I have is 9/16. In fact, I am waiting for this Wester Bros coming in the mail from Bill Ellis.
Sure, here is a 10/8 by Joe Chandler and a fine shaver it is. Just don't be in a hurry the morning you use that one. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by freyguy
I just honed up my first skinny razor. It is a Heljestrand 'Sculpta' MK 23 3/8. It is a very light weight little razor that I am looking forward to using for my next shave.
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. :)
:eek: 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
Jerry,Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsell63
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.
:rofl2:
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
Yes I think you should do just that. You can never have too many razors you know. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by fpatton
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.
+1 7/8 plus Razors, are simply too big for my small face.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyP
I started out with a 4/8 Kobar..It was easier to use that the 5/8 & 6/8 because the smaller size is easier to work around the sharper angles of the face. I have one friend who has a really angler face and a 4/8 works the best for hime to get in the angles of the neck.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyP
I really prefer about a 9/16 in either 1/2, 1/4, or wedge grind.
Steve
I just finished taking a run with my new Gracie 4/8, what a fantastic razor! My rotation includes mostly 4/8 and 5/8 but I've got a puma and an ern that are 13/16 range I would like to hone up and try out.
I read some posts quite often about how amazing the 7/8s and 8/8s are. In truth I do not know if the gents who say this have tried a wide enough array of grinds in different sizes to really say they prefer them. Surely one can only prefer one thing to another, so it really depends what other razors they are comparing them to.
I have tried many grinds in different sizes, though I do not claim to have tried them all. I own over 50 razors and have bought and sold many others that are no longer in my collection.
I have not tried an 8/8 wedge or a 3/8 hollow, these two are quite rare, the latter I do not believe I have even heard of.
My favourites are 9/16-13/16 and my rotation consists of these sizes and 5/8 hollows and wedges.
I have a 2 8/8s which I rarely use, and a 7/8 wedge also.
This thread is a perfect example of why a person needs a rotation of various sizes & grind razors to either narrow the field of what they prefer, of just enjoy the differences each time you lather up. I can't seem to put a preference to one particular razor since some seem to excel in some areas (upper lip & adams apple areas) particularly well, while some excel in the open plaines. I too have considered using two razors for a shave and think this thread will be just the excuse to use a 4/8 for the detail areas & a 8/8 for the rest.
Think about it: We typically use a weedeater, push mower, then the riding mower for the larger areas when mowing the lawn.... I'll post some results and pics of the tools used later on this thread.
Guys I have to agree with you.
I have a beard and recently bought a C Mon little blackie that had seen many years of use.
The only rust on it was right on the edge. After removing the rust and honing it up it was right at 9/16.
The blade is a spike point and the length of the blade is slightly shorter than most of my razors.
First shave I was really impressed at how quickly the shave went.
It was like a little sports car. Man I really like these old Soligen razors, 2 pass BBS.
Yep, I love these little nimble shavers.
Silver2
So a 7/16 DD style edge would fit here?? It's my travel razor. Small sturdy and a pain to use :p
Mmm can't find that picture...
I have not had a chance to take a better photo of my BJ Eyre 4/8 that I use on a regualr bais. But it is in this photo I took for a SOTD a while ago.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jKobNmLm6Oc/S6...s576/SOTDHobby
The 4/8's are fun to shave with and they do maneuver well, but take a little more effort to strop evenly. The bigger straights take a little more skill to sahve, but they strop easier for me because of their weight.
Each straight razor has their "edge"... some more and some less.
Pabster
Nope, can't say I've come across a razor which I don't like yet! Mine cover a small range really from 4/8 to 6/8, and I must say that the smaller ones are very manoeuvrable, but removing lather constantly does rather break the flow. 5/8 seems to be a good compromise.
I thought maybe all you small razor enthusiasts might like this 9/16 Klauberg - a recent arrival. It's not pristine like the one in the Wiki, and it's due a new pair of scales and wedge (these are warped and misaligned), but it has bags of character - a fine shaver too.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...scenefront.jpg
I did the edge work & trouble areas with the lil MAB in ivory and the larger open areas with the Wosty & probably won't do it again. I shave with a descent rotation that varies from 4/8 & 8/8 (most of the razors in my rotation are 5/8-6/8 for the record) & truly enjoy each and every one of them. The reason that I doubtfully will shave with two razors again is two things: stropping & no need. Sure I can whip around my face with the little MAB & wouldn't dare try the same speed with the a big blade like the Wosty, but I have to say that if I take the time with any of my razors I can get a great shave. Sure each one has differences like sharpness, size, weight, length, width and so on...but I like variety. Give it a try...
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Rotation
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