Thread: is it me or the razor?

hello all, i have been straight shaving for about 2 months and have found that when i use any of my 5/8 blades i cannot get anywhere near the comfort as i can with my 7/8 razor. 5/8's tend to to tug and pull but the wider blade of the 7\8 is super smooth. all razors have been honed and stroped the same. i am thinking it is most likely my technique but looking for an opinion or advice on whats going on. thanks

Same here, 6/8 or higher for me. For some reason the 5/8 hollow's just aren't as smooth and tend to want to skip.

I'm in for the answer as well

My guess is it's your technique. Are you switching from one razor size to the other with each shave? If so, you might want to just use the 5/8ths for a week or so to get comfortabe with it and see how it goes. It has worked for me as I has similar issues for awhile. Hope this helps,

Unless all the blades are of the same steel and were honed by the same person on the same hones, you've got way too many variables in play to base a comparison on the sizes alone. Sheffield steel off a coticule will shave differently than American steel off a 16k Shapton. Sheffield steel off a 16k Shapton might feel good for a few passes, but the edge will probably degrade before your shave is done. An 8k edge by an experienced honemeister will probably be significantly smoother than the first shaveable edge most of us coax from our own 8ks.

All that said, I'd think that with all other variables equal, your larger blades with their greater mass will be a little steadier and therefore give more comfortable shaves.

Originally Posted by kost

i have been straight shaving for about 2 months

Above is the problem
In time your technique will improve & allow you to use most sized razors but apart from an optimal edge; prep, lather & a low angle are crucial. The correct angle will not be far away from dead flat on your face.

I had 2 5/8 razors I wanted to sell..now using 6/8+ sizes...5/8 requires a firmer grip..the steel where the shoulder is is smaller/thinner...my $.02 cents

thanks for the input, i guess i need more practice with the 5/8. hope i can pick up the technique because most of my razors are the 5/8 size.
any advice on what should be done differntly with the 5/8 over the wider blades? other than practice and more practice.

Originally Posted by kost

any advice on what should be done differntly with the 5/8 over the wider blades? other than practice and more practice.

I think the principle is the same for all razors tho I guess a heavier razor is less challenged by inertia

Originally Posted by kost

thanks for the input, i guess i need more practice with the 5/8. hope i can pick up the technique because most of my razors are the 5/8 size.
any advice on what should be done differntly with the 5/8 over the wider blades? other than practice and more practice.

Could you give us some details as to what type of grind your 5/8 and 7/8 razors are? If they are both the same grind (wedge, 1/4 hollow etc) then that would be one variable less to consider.

I had a similar experience. I started with straights about 9 months ago. After shaving for ~2 months with a couple 5/8 half hollows, I tried a 6/8 wedge. The wedge just felt better in my hand and I could manipulate it better on my face. It was the first time that shaving just felt easy for me. I don't know if it was the weight, the grind, the steel, the honing (all by the different previous owners), or just the timing. But I still prefer a bigger wedge to the smaller half-hollows. Although I'm looking to try a bigger half or quarter hollow and see if part of it is just the mass.

Despite the preference, they're all fun to shave with.