Do I """""need""""" a 3/8?

Lots of quotes in """""need""""". I know I don't really """""need""""" it, but would it be nice?

I'd like a diverse set of six straights and one DE, and need two more to make the set.

I have some 5/8s that I really like, and a 4/8 that I've not shaved with yet. I tried a 7/8 once and didn't like it (no 'feel'). I have a lightish beard; certainly not thick and tough. I have a van Dyke thingy.

So waddayareckin? A 3/8 to add to the set as well as another 5/8? The 5/8 is a cert; I found it the other day. I know I've said similar things before, but I want to stop at SEVEN (incl the DE). SEVEN is the number...My humble (but NICE) collection below, an incomplete set...

Attachment 79113

I have a 3/8. it does not see much use. Because it is so light it often sort of skids over the whiskers. I guess it might be useful in tight corners.

Try the 4/8" first.
I think 3/8" were meant to do light touch-ups here & there, not to do a full face shave.

My opinion: stick to the 5/8" razors. Even a 4/8" for me feels too light to use comfortably !

Anything below 5/8 should not be considered a razor. 3/8 is just a steel toothpick.
Only half tongue in cheek. 11/16 is imo the minimum for comfortable handling.

what grind was the 7/8's? that will have more to do with the feel than width.

I look at this the same way I look at guitars and cameras (or least as I did when I had money to spend, i.e. pre-baby). Do I really NEED to have a Les Paul? Do I really NEED to have extra razors, will that nice Nikon lens REALLY make my photos better?

The answer is, of course, yes.

I've got a pretty heavy beard and wear a van dyke thingy as well. While my 4/8ths isn't my go to razor it does see use 1-2x a week. Great shaves and easy handling around the beard.

If it were me I would pick it up purely out of curiosity and as a collectable item, not because I thought it appropriate for my particular use. I'm currently waiting on a set of scales to get my 11/16 (I think) Joseph Allan back into rotation because I liked the weighty feel of it so much. It has a fairly thick spine and feels far more solid than my 5/8 Platypus.

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Originally Posted by U2Bono269

I look at this the same way I look at guitars and cameras (or least as I did when I had money to spend, i.e. pre-baby). Do I really NEED to have a Les Paul? Do I really NEED to have extra razors, will that nice Nikon lens REALLY make my photos better?

The answer is, of course, yes.

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After the Nikon you'll want a Zeiss lens and that's where LAD kicks in.

If you are like me, you won't really be satisfied that you don't need one until you've had at least one. I'm talking about varieties of straight razors of course.

So I guess my answer is that only you can answer the question, unless you are not like me and can happily trust others if they say you don't need one

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Originally Posted by Kees

you'll want a Zeiss lens and that's where LAD kicks in.

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Zeiss can actually heal LAD.. Soon or later you will find out that it is difficult to outdo Zeiss. Once I've got couple - I sold all my "L" :D

I'd definitely say try your 4/8ths before you go for a 3/8ths.

Also, where's your wedge dude??

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Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

I'd definitely say try your 4/8ths before you go for a 3/8ths.

Also, where's your wedge dude??

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yeah you need to test out a true wedge, near wedge, 1/4 hollow, 1/2 hollow, full hollow, extra hollow in EACH of the sizes 3/8-->8/8. So much for 7 razor set huh?

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Originally Posted by TwistedOak

yeah you need to test out a true wedge, near wedge, 1/4 hollow, 1/2 hollow, full hollow, extra hollow in EACH of the sizes 3/8-->8/8. So much for 7 razor set huh?

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I agree! you should have more variety in grinds, that makes each shave different and interesting!

I cant abide small razors...wish I could.
My grinds and sizes:

Wedge: 8/8 Gilbert, 9/8 Wostenholm IXL, 5/8 W&B

1/4 grind: 5/8 Red Imp

Full Hollow: 6/8 bismark, 6/8 dovo best, 6/8 Boker King Cutter, 5/8 W&B, 5/8 dovo silver steel, 5/8 art deco boker

Extra hollow: 7/8 schulze, 6/8 TI

Looking at my list I realize that I "need" a Half hollow.....hmmm the search continues....






*side note, apparently this is my 100'th post. yay. that is all

No.

James.

Wow. So many replies. I think main points are I need a wedge (dude), I should try the 4/8 before I splurge on the 3/8, I DO need a 3/8 (but after trialling the 4/8), but I also need many grinds.......and I'm feeling the vain illusion that I can control this thing called RAD is just that, an illusion...

I'd say you should at least try your 4/8 before you buy something even smaller.... :)

I decided I'll hone the 4/8 tonight (my son did it a few weeks ago, taught by me, and while he said it was sharp, I was probably a poor teacher, and have some better information now). I was going to wait on using that until I had new scales and it polished a bit; but I think I'll give it a whirl regardless. Maybe I should still get the 5/8 I have my eye on Messer der Woche and look for a hollowish wedge instead of a 3/8?

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Originally Posted by Traskrom

Zeiss can actually heal LAD.. Soon or later you will find out that it is difficult to outdo Zeiss. Once I've got couple - I sold all my "L" :D

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Hey, Traskrom, I like that razor in your Avatar, what is that? :-)

Sounds like a good plan!

Man so much tempting stuff at Revisors website, if I was in for a 5/8 I'd grab this
http://www.revisor-solingen.de/asset...ges/db_515.jpg
I love square points, easier to get to those small hairs around the nose and upper lip.

I have a 4/8th that never gets used as its too light and small so if i had a 3/8th would be used even less... if at all

If you haven't tried your 4/8th try it first, unless you just want to get it for display.

Blix, I like the scales, but not the gold wash on the blade; not sure I really like a gold wash; though some don't look too bad...I like a spike too, but not for that reason; as I don';t have to shave there. I like a spike just because it seems so much more dangerous!
Juts finished honing the 4/8 (an Eric Anton Berg that was a present:-)). The heel was difficult as it's maybe a 3/8 at the heel; I don't really know how to handle that sort of thing yet. We'll see how it goes in the morning, I think this calls for a 'spongy' cream like Body Shop Macca Root...

Spikes just take a litte different style to shave with.. They have thier unique uses, just like a 3/8... I think 3/8 were made for day when pencil style mustches were common.. I have a couple but after the novelty of using the m wears off they sit in the back drawer.... Not so much that are bad,, it has to do more with being so thin that they are a hassle to strop, shave with and hone.. They always roll. ..... But hey ar great for touching the line on you mustache or beard....

I always use two razors when I shave. I have two sets of str8s: the first runs from 9/16 to 7/8 and is for general purpose, the second is made up of 3/8 and 4/8 and is used for final touchings. I have sideburns, a Van Dicke and thin mustache, and find the thinner razors very useful.
For a complete shave a thin razor is quite boring, it slows you down because you are constantly cleaning the blade from soap. But to make that difficult line perfectly straight, it's just what you need. Just strop it at a moderate speed otherwise it turns on itself and you end up with two strops where you had one...

Excellent points, I think it might be good to have a dedicated shaping razor. I did find the 4/8 this morning a bit difficult to strop; esp with the difference between the width of the heel and toe; but I could probably do less with a thinner razor. I actually think given the edge maintenance need, I'd find a 3/8 more useful than a wedge. Thanks for the advice....

BTW I didn't really like the shave. I could have done a lot better at the honing (I need to do it again (or get it done)) and my favorite profile is still a full hollow 5/8...

What you need, Carl, is a 3/8 wedge. They're great for trimming up Van Dyke thingies. :)

I think what Carl needs, is to man up and get a full 8/8, of any grind he can, and use it for the whole shave process...:) Just jokes mate. You get a girls razor if you want too..:p Oh hang on! You said you had a 5/8 as the largest??? Right, well you just go and complete your girls razor set then...:D


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

I think what Carl needs, is to man up and get a full 8/8, of any grind he can, and use it for the whole shave process...:) Just jokes mate. You get a girls razor if you want too..:p Oh hang on! You said you had a 5/8 as the largest??? Right, well you just go and complete your girls razor set then...:D


Mick

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LOL ahhh +1 :p

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Originally Posted by Brighty83

LOL ahhh +1 :p

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I had a big razor once and felt, well, inadequate. It's like when you watch the strongest man in the world shows, or buy a muscle mag, you feel, well...inadequate.

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Originally Posted by MickR

I think what Carl needs, is to man up and get a full 8/8, of any grind he can, and use it for the whole shave process...:) Just jokes mate. You get a girls razor if you want too..:p Oh hang on! You said you had a 5/8 as the largest??? Right, well you just go and complete your girls razor set then...:D


Mick

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Joel (the smartarse 13 year old) says "thumbs up and i toddallyagree"...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I had a big razor once and felt, well, inadequate. It's like when you watch the strongest man in the world shows, or buy a muscle mag, you feel, well...inadequate.

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Actually, I feel fine. I don't need to wear some pansy-ass'd back belt to roll a tractor tire out of my way (and when I was power lifting I knew how to wear one the right way around but still chose not to wear one at all) so looking at guys who use more steroids than deodorant has no effect on my ego, or anything else, at all.

My vote....3/8 is too small. way too small.

4/8 is the lowest I got, because it's already so bloody light.

Stick with the 5/8's and 6/8's. That's the stuff.

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Originally Posted by MickRussell

Actually, I feel fine. I don't need to wear some pansy-ass'd back belt to roll a tractor tire out of my way (and when I was power lifting I knew how to wear one the right way around but still chose not to wear one at all) so looking at guys who use more steroids than deodorant has no effect on my ego, or anything else, at all.

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Me neither! I got a tractor to do that for me! :p


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Me neither! I got a tractor to do that for me! :p


Mick

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Well where were you when I was driving home at midnight a while back and found this in the middle of the road? SOB weighed in at over 800lbs (from the spec sheet. I looked it up the next day) and took a little effort to move.

Attachment 79292

Before you look at getting a 3/8th have a look at this: http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...oat-razor.html

Might be an option :p

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Originally Posted by MickRussell

Well where were you when I was driving home at midnight a while back and found this in the middle of the road? SOB weighed in at over 800lbs (from the spec sheet. I looked it up the next day) and took a little effort to move.

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Wondered where I lost that bugger! :).


Mick

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I had a big razor once and felt, well, inadequate. It's like when you watch the strongest man in the world shows, or buy a muscle mag, you feel, well...inadequate.

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My first time with a 8/8 was rather awkward, scales in the way everywhere , and a HUGE blade ready to cut my ears and nose off if I didn't pay attention.
Now that I got used to it it's second nature, and I love how effective a huge blade is, and you don't have to wipe/rinse constantly like with a small one.
I'd say you should give a 6/8 a chance! :)

Look at these beauties:
http://www.revisor-solingen.de/asset...ges/db_308.jpg
http://www.revisor-solingen.de/asset..._PICT00343.jpg
http://www.revisor-solingen.de/asset..._PICT00385.jpg

I like that second one Blix! Are they from the Revisor page?