Thread: 11/16 vs 5/8 & 6/8?

How do 11/16 razors compare to 5/8 and 6/8 razors? I have a TI coming to me from Sharp and Shiny (thank you so much) and I was curious as to how it compares to the 5/8 and 6/8 razors?

For me IMHO It would not matter one bit. The bigger difference would be if a wedge, 1/4, or 1/2 hollow as long as the steel is the same. I prefer a shoulderless blade but have many that do.

Blade size is personal preference and really has nothing to do with how well the razor shaves. It's more about how it feels in your hand and how you like it.

No one can tell you what is going to work well for you. You just have to try them out.

This is a major contributing factor in RAD (Razor Acquisition Disease).

Here are some things to actually ponder

First off I doubt the TI is an actual 11/16,,, what do I mean???

There are different ways to measure the blade width TI happens to be one that measures heavy at least now anyway, which means, their new razors marked 5/8 will measure 11/16 from edge to top of spine

So most 11/16 razors were actually 6/8 razors that have been honed a bit, which you can tell by a heavier (Thicker) tang and spine, sometimes..

Some are like TI's that are a 5/8 but measured from the hone line to the edge

And some (a very select few) are actual marked on the box 11/16 most of these I have seen have the slimmer 5/8 size tangs

What does all this mean ????



You decide

I can tell you this, my personal target razors that I shop for, are real marked on the box American and Solingen 11/16 spike point extreme hollows they just fit my face the best

ps: All this applies to 9/16 and 13/16 razors too, it is rather rare to find the 16th's marked on the box

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here are some things to actually ponder

First off I doubt the TI is an actual 11/16,,, what do I mean???

There are different ways to measure the blade width TI happens to be one that measures heavy at least now anyway, which means, their new razors marked 5/8 will measure 11/16 from edge to top of spine

So most 11/16 razors were actually 6/8 razors that have been honed a bit, which you can tell by a heavier (Thicker) tang and spine, sometimes..

Some are like TI's that are a 5/8 but measured from the hone line to the edge

And some (a very select few) are actual marked on the box 11/16 most of these I have seen have the slimmer 5/8 size tangs

What does all this mean ????



You decide

I can tell you this, my personal target razors that I shop for, are real marked on the box American and Solingen 11/16 spike point extreme hollows they just fit my face the best

ps: All this applies to 9/16 and 13/16 razors too, it is rather rare to find the 16th's marked on the box

It's a wonder no one calls them "forger's eighths," like "baker's dozens."

I have a Mulcuto that is marked in 16th's on the tang of the razor. Of course it is 8/16, so not an odd size.

Here's my personal take on the matter, assuming similar grinds....

You will not notice a difference between 5/8 and 11/16, nor the difference between 11/16 and 6/8. BUT, you will surely notice some differences between 5/8 and 6/8, mostly in stropping, lather scooping and sometimes in weight.

I prefer 6/8, but it's not like I would kick a 5/8 out of bed for eating crackers either....

Personally I find grind a more important consideration than size, particularly when you are operating within sixteenths of an inch of a target size.

I also find I cannot tease out size from grind-a narrow wedge can be as nice as a large hollow, for example, or vice versa.

Having said that, 5 or 6 eighths are probably the most "natural" sizes for many people. In my opinion if you are around there you won't really notice vast differences.

James.

I like 5/8 and up. Not crazy about 4/8. I have a few and can shave with them but the tangs tend to be thinner and my clumsy fingers have a harder time of keeping the angle correct. I've come close to cutting myself with the blade turning when the tang is skinny and no jimps, as so many of them are. A 5/8 or larger is easier for me to shave with and an 11/16 is even better than a 5/8.

The longer I shave with straights, the more I seem to appreciate 6/8 to 7/8 blades in full hollow. I like wedges in smaller sizes as long as they are super-sharp. I think it is because of better feedback in the hollows and additional weight is better as my beard is tough.