Thread: shaving with a 4/8 razor

Hey guys,

anyone with experience shaving with a 4/8 razor? How would you say it differs from a 5/8 razor?

JF

I've got a couple of them and I do like them, I just prefer the bigger blades.

To shave with they feel the same, just smaller I guess...! You can manoeuvre them around your face a little easier and the feel lighter in the hand but thats about it really.

Give one a try and see what you think!

Some would say that they are harder to strop, as they do not have the same surface area to maintain flat as, say, a 7/8. But as you've been in this game for a while now this may not be as much of an issue for you as it would be for a newb.

I actually find stropping with a 5/8 razor a lot easier than stropping a 7/8 razor. I love the look of a large razor, but I find the smaller one more practical.

I enjoy a 4/8 razor. They are very easy to maneuver, and they perform really well. I've heard the "harder to strop" comment a lot, and although I have not experienced the same thing, enough people say it that it must be true for some.

I highly recommend a 4/8s razors

Originally Posted by Dups

I actually find stropping with a 5/8 razor a lot easier than stropping a 7/8 razor. I love the look of a large razor, but I find the smaller one more practical.

Interesting...

I suppose there is a point when razor size does become cumbersome. I have 3 razors that are around 7/8; any larger than that, for me, is pushing that "impractical" envelope. IME I can strop large razors just fine, but I do notice that I can't whip them back and forth on the strop as quickly & easily as I can with a smaller razor

I have to take much more care with any razor under 5/8, when stropping.

+1 I feel like a goof every time I strop the one 4/8 I use in my rotation, but the shave is wonderful. It is so easy to matriculate across my face - I'd recommend getting one if you can.

Originally Posted by Dups

Hey guys,

anyone with experience shaving with a 4/8 razor? How would you say it differs from a 5/8 razor?

JF

When I first started str8s I almost wrote them off as being inferior in some way, but I am glad I did not get rid of any of them. One of my favorits is a Bengal with under a 4/8 blade. Awesome for under the nose and trim work. I don't know how experienced you are as a shaver, but my opinion of them did a 180 degree shift from earlier on.

FME it is like driving a sports car compared to a sedan. You have to be a little more carefull with your shave angle so as not to get nicked, but for sure they are fun to shave with.

Honing for them requires a little more finese as they are a bit more concentration not to torque them keeping the pressure even. I find just taking my time makes all the difference.

i have a filarmonica 4/8 and it gives me the best shave. my other razors are all 5/8 and include a dovo, boker and swiss cutlery, so i don't know if it's a difference in the quality of steel or size.

admittedly, the 4/8 looks a lot wimpier than the others, but looks only go so far...