Thread: Differences in Weight

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

Originally Posted by calanor

Btw. I havent gotten into restoring... yet

Look out, it's a sickness!

Originally Posted by calanor

I think I will go to the opposite end of the spectrum and get a quater grind.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by calanor

Where can I look at a wacker?

Heribert Wacker Straight Razors : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors

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.

Originally Posted by pinklather

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.
[snip snip]

Wow, that is so awesome. My first str8 shave was kind of magical too. A few regions were so smooth almost ATG.

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.