Thread: Real dumb newb question

What do all the different inch in the razors mean( I.e 5/8", 6/8", 11/16")? Is there any inch that shaves closer when someone becomes experienced? Are there any that are super hard to use? I know from reading that for beginners 5/5" is "best". Any info is greatly appreciated . Just accomplished shave 6 with no nicks WTG and across the grain. Now I just have to start working on against. I am hooked; it's nice to enjoy shaving instead of despising it

They all refer to the thickness of the blade, from the spine to the cutting edge. For instance, and 8/8 blade, would be a full inch from the spine to the cutting edge.

Most beginners prefer 5/8 or 6/8 blades. They can be easier to maneouver around your bones and skin. As you become more experienced, you may find one or many sizes that work for you. I prefer 6/8 and over, specifically 7/8 and 8/8 blades. I like the flex from the larger blade, and the weight from the whole thing.

Try a bunch of different sizes, and you may well feel a difference.

Good luck.

Welcome to SRP!

There's no such thing as a dumb question, only dumb answers
Edit: Or late answers

The different inch is reffering to a blades with i.e. how "high" the blade is from edge to spine, you can read more in the wiki: Widths and grinds

There's no difference in closness of the shave between the different sizes, the difference is more how easily a blade is to maneuver and weight. 5/8's and 6/8's are adviced for beginners as these are "in the middle" when it comes this, but it's not a rule, many of us, myself included started with bigger or smaller blades.

When it comes to what's best there's no such thing, it's all a matter of personal taste, personally I prefer 6/8 or bigger, while others find smaller blades to be what they prefer.

Hope this helped, good luck with you future shaving

Your face only sees the very edge so it doesn't care. It's a matter of how you wield the blade and different sizes may cause you to hold it differently or change the pressure you use or even the angle. You need to try different sizes to see which work best for you. Personally, though I have them all from 2/8s to 8/8s I prefer 5/8s and 6/8s. The really small ones like the 2/8s and 3/8s are more trim pieces and I find them hard to control because they are so small and the really big ones I find can be clumsy to maneuver. I think 6/8s is the best mating of size with function but that's just my preference.

I shave with a 4/8, 5/8, and 6/8 in my rotation. The end results are the same, a nice close smooth shave. The difference is in the feel during the shave. Each is different and enjoyable. I wouldn't want to eat the same thing at every meal, I want variety. Enjoy the shave.

I started with 5/8, because it's the standard training size. The 5/8 is more maneuverable and easier to fit under the nose too.

However, I now prefer at least 13/16. The larger size is heavier and seems to chop thru my five or six days growth with less trouble. The wider blades also hold more used lather, so I don't have to stop mid-shave and wipe off the blade as often. That, and the larger size make me feel more like a tough man, like a burly lumberjack or an army sergeant who chews on an old cigar stump.

Honestly, I think the smaller 5/8 USA spike point wedges (Spike, Red Imp 132, a million others) are the perfect razors and highly underrated. (No lumberjack feeling, tho.) I always have one in my humble collection.

Christopher