Thread: Small Short Razor

Hello friends,

I'm a newbie(very much !!!) and I was wondering what is the smallest size for a straight razor for a beginner.

Something decent without spending much and easy to maintain.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks all!!!

I'm not really sure that it works like that. Why do you want small? I have one that is about 3mm (appears to have been ground like that) but I'd prefer to shave with a 5/8 any day. Sorry, lots of questions, not much help.

Basically any 5/8 razor. All razors take the same maintenance on the strop.
Look in the classifieds or at some of our vendors.
Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Vendors Corner

Forget about small and short, go big or go home. LOL

As mentioned above a 5/8 will do a great job as a starter razor. Most razors are pretty much all the same length give or take a bit. That size was developed after a century or more of experimentation and pretty much just evolved to what the razors are today.

The blade widths are a personal preference, some guys like a narrow blade, whilst other prefer a wide blade. Once you get the basics down, you can experiment and see what you like.

Originally Posted by Wullie

Forget about small and short, go big or go home. LOL

As mentioned above a 5/8 will do a great job as a starter razor. Most razors are pretty much all the same length give or take a bit. That size was developed after a century or more of experimentation and pretty much just evolved to what the razors are today.

The blade widths are a personal preference, some guys like a narrow blade, whilst other prefer a wide blade. Once you get the basics down, you can experiment and see what you like.

Freud would love you!

But I agree. The taller blades are nice.

I agree that if your interested in preowned the classified section here may be the way to go. Also just don't buy,,, ask questions and look at pictures before you comment.
But if you want fast and inexpensive you may want to look at a Shavette like Parker. Often >20$ with blades.

GC, 5/8 seems to have been the standard for about 100 yrs or so. There's at least 100 5/8 full hollows for about every other size/grind. But when they were produced, we were a smaller people. Nutrition, medicine have added about 7" avg height to the avg. guy. I don't mind that, but would prefer my extra height were not so much in the belly.
Seriously, the smaller guys - would naturally have smaller hands. So when hands were small, 5/8 was king. If your hands require gloves larger than size "L". The shanks on the 5/8 may feel a little small & cramped. Some have larger shanks than others, but if you had a chance to connect w/ another member that can let you feel the difference in size - you might find it helpful. Should your travels take you near Portland, OR, let me know - I can show you & you can see what its like to shave w/ each.

It's kind of predictable - whenever someone asks what's a good size for a noob to start with... 5/8 is generally the answer. Probably really good idea! But I say get whatever you like - they all shave, and are all designed to do the same thing - cut whiskers .

I began with a 4/8. Loved the thing. In the mean time I tried others - went back to the 4/8, and now I don't use anything but .

It's your ride .

Might be able to find a deal on a decent Japanese razor. Though some are a bit wide, many are under 50mm in blade length. The Feather Artist Club blades are about 50mm as well. Some other shavette type razors use DE blades, which are under 40mm if I recall correctly.

Of course, you could get an eyebrow/nape razor...those are pretty small.

Originally Posted by earcutter

It's kind of predictable - whenever someone asks what's a good size for a noob to start with... 5/8 is generally the answer. Probably really good idea! But I say get whatever you like - they all shave, and are all designed to do the same thing - cut whiskers .

I began with a 4/8. Loved the thing. In the mean time I tried others - went back to the 4/8, and now I don't use anything but .

It's your ride .

I just started myself and I began with a 9/8. 2nd try was with an 8/8 and now I'm down to a 15/16. Thank god I'm a 6'2" dude with big hands and big feet. I wonder how long ago it was when we were there little people. I have generations of 6 footers in my family?

I say 9/8s is king. (arms crossed)...LOL