Hello, I currently have a 5/8 full hollow. This blade works great but it is too light feeling in my hand. The question I was wondering is the weight differences between a 5/8 - 6/8- 7/8 full hollows and like a 6/8 quarter grind.
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Hello, I currently have a 5/8 full hollow. This blade works great but it is too light feeling in my hand. The question I was wondering is the weight differences between a 5/8 - 6/8- 7/8 full hollows and like a 6/8 quarter grind.
It varies from razor to razor, but the larger and/or heavier grinds will weigh more.
Usually when you get to the 7/8s and larger thats when you get to some serious metal. For 6/8s you have to check them out because some can weigh almost the same as a 5/8s. My TI Silverwing is a 5/8s and weighs more than most 6/8s.
Calanor, I'm with you on wanting some heft to a blade. The heft just feels more stable and controllable - like I have a more positive grip. That said, it may or may not be that you want a heavier grind. A dovo shank for me, feels like a toothpick. As much as I LOVE Gencos, I hate the light weight and teeny shank.
It does seem like more of the vintage blades had some meat to them - regardless of grind. Sheffields especially, but many soligens. If you live near some members, you might ask to heft some of theirs or ask for which ones are the beefiest. I've liked the Wackers alot, having wedge, 1/4 grind, and full hollow. Each has some heft, and a shank that doesn't get lost in large hands. Though I seem to gravitate to the 6/8, I have a Joseph Allen & Sons 1/4 grind in 5/8. 'No jimps, but the size of the shank allows stability. The shave is effortless and without drama.
If you've never tried any of the heavier grinds, I would give it consideration. 'Changed the game for me. I made peace w/ the flexible hollow, but still prefer the 1/4 grind with a slight smile on the blade.
I don't know if you do any level of restoration. If not, perhaps buying shave ready from forum members. Get as much feedback on which have some heft to them. That's to keep you from having only expensive options. Wackers are nice, but they're not cheap. I think around 179 is the cheapest.
Lastly, don't let anyone talk you out of what your face and your hands tell you. If you like some beef in a blade, no technique can substitute. It's not that you can't use the dainty blade, you just won't enjoy it as much.
Hey thanks alot for the info. I was looking more for actual weights but i undestand that different blades can weigh differently depending on the metal and company that makes them. With that being said, I am convinced on the next blade that I will purchase. I think I will go to the opposite end of the spectrum and get a quater grind. If that seems too hefy then i can work my way down. On the other hand if that still dont seem hefty enough then I guess I will need to look at gettin a wedge. Either way I'm hook when it comes to straights. So I know I will become a collector.
Btw. I havent gotten into restoring... yet :D
Look out, it's a sickness! :D :beer2:Quote:
Originally Posted by calanor
Calanor, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Last wk, a friend wanted to see what a str8 felt like, and the shave it produced. Like the beginner's guide suggests (and I agree), I told him to shave from the bottom of the side burn to the top of the jawline. I showed him how to hold the blade. He knew how to stretch from recently learning technique with a DE (he'd never tried a DE either). He gets a couple inches of lather removed and the phone rings. When I got back from the phone call, he had shaved both sides of the face, both sides of the neck, leaving only the mustache, the chin, and the line immediately below the chin. He had one raspberry below the chin, but told me he did that with the DE. He'd never held a str8 before.Quote:
Originally Posted by calanor
They're expensive, but I can't praise the Wacker 1/4 grind enough. Others say that for a 1/4 grind, its more hollow than other 1/4 grinds, but wow is that a shaver. If you have any friends or forum members in your area that have a 1/4 grind that would let you try it, I highly recommend that. I let this friend try my str8, all soaps & creams, and several DEs. If we help each other that way, we're not going broke learning what we like best.
Please post again when you get your 1/4 grind or get to try one.
Nope I don't have anyone in the area that I know of that has or even uses a straight. But I will say this I have had no problems from day 1 when it came to using a straight. I've been using 1 for bout 3 months now and the only type of nick I had was on my ear by sideburns which was from my daughter bumping into me while I was shaving. Needless to say I don't let her in anymore.
Where can I look at a wacker? I was looking at a hart steel.
But, thanks for all the info.
Heribert Wacker Straight Razors : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razorsQuote:
Originally Posted by calanor
There are some of the new Wackers here. I have never bought anything from this vendor, but perhaps someone can let us know if they have and if they liked it.
Sometimes the Wackers also show up on the SRP classifieds too so keep an eye open there. Good luck in your quest! And yes it is a sickness craving all of these beautiful razors.
Wow, that is so awesome. My first str8 shave was kind of magical too. A few regions were so smooth almost ATG.Quote:
Originally Posted by pinklather
Calanor, I've got a few str8s (professionally honed and self-honed) and I can honestly say that my 5/8th hollows feel very light and dainty compared to my Dovo 13/16th "Best Quality" "full hollow", it is more of a third hollow grind and it is quite hefty by comparison. The larger size, with equal edge, meaning an equivalent spine width to the 5/8th wide blade, has a good bit more metal. Going to a half or quarter hollow would magnify that to a very satisfactory difference in heft. You may be so happy with it you won't be left longing for the 7s or 8s.
One of my wackers is no longer available 15/16, worked back, 3-pin in ebony. It was the shave of choice today, and I had to hurry somewhat. That's the only big blade i have. It seems to be a vegan, as I have to work at it to nick or cut. I find myself liking 6/8 best so far, though every time I use the big wacker, I just love it. Having big hands, I don't find 'maneuverability' to be an issue at all. It's fine w/ precise work (although it would be better if it weren't a round point). I can choke up on the grip, w/ 2 fingers on the spine, 2 on the shank for buffing stroke near the nostril.Quote:
Originally Posted by AxelH
Until the Williams arrived, my 'go to' blade has always been the 6/8, 1/4 grind spanish point. If funds were no object, I'd get another just for backup. The williams is also 6/8, 1/4 grind. The edge, provided by the honorable Riooso was from a high end Jnat, and is not to be believed. The wacker edge is mine from a c12k. The Jnat edge is a step up, but I would say the feedback on the wacker 1/4 grind is better.
If you wish to try different sizes/grinds without spending the big money, the vendors on this site would be my target. I always hesitate to mention specific ones, 'cause the ones I don't mention or haven't used, may well be wonderful as well. Your time on the forums will show you who does nice work. I've not spoken w/ one of them that hasn't been a pleasure to work with. John at Shavingshop.com is also wonderful. I WILL buy from him again.
I started straight shaving in early October, DE shaving for over a year. I started with 5/8 Dovo and Boker full hollows and just added a 6/8 TI Le Grelot with a 3/4 - full hollow grind. The Dovo and Boker each weigh 1.8 oz, and the Le Grelot weighs 2.5 oz. For what seems to be a small difference, the difference when shaving is day and night. The 5/8 are very sensitive to any change in sharpness, prep, time between shaves....you name it. The Le Grelot shaves me better than a DE, and thats 3 whole shaves. I'm sure that over time, as I become more experienced, they will equal out...maybe. Right now, it's hard to even look at the 5/8 razors. The difference is extraordinary.
The weight of the razor is primarily in the spine and the tang (scales also account for about half of it when properly done).
So yes, the grind can be fairly important.
Regular 5/8 dovo weighs 39g a typical 6/8 razor is around 45-50g and what I consider heavy razors are 55-65g.
The big W&B's have some serious heft.
I have a 7/8 Barbers Use being restored that surprised me with how heavy it was when I took it out of the package.
http://www.ragnartheviking.com/image.../axshaving.jpg
That's what you call a heavy blade.
Just a heads up on whipped dog's special:
This is a great way to experience different sizes and grinds without investing in lots of razors.Quote:
TRADE FOR HONE
Any razor purchased from me may be traded for an equivalent value razor for the price of honing. This is a great way to try different style and size razors.