Hart 6/8 or 7/8

So I've decided as a Christmas present to myself to get a hart razor. I'm getting pretty comfortable with my Dovo 5/8 and have had a few months of experience.

I'm wondering if I should get a 6/8 or 7/8 hart. I have a very course beard with sensitive skin and plan on using it for a very long time (I'm only 18). Which would yield the best shave and would retain its overall quality the best?

I'm leaning towards the 7/8 but have heard complaints of it being too heavy. Any advice would be very much appreciated.:D

The size is really a personal preference, when you are choosing the size of the razor you need to consider if the blade will be a good fit for your shaving technique. Heart Steel razors are solid pieces, I personally do not see how a 7/8 would be that much heavier than a 6/8 if you are comparing the blades only.

Having shaved with everything from 4/8 to 10/8 I kind of like the 6/8 for its maneuverability. Stepping up to a 7/8 and above just seems a bit more cumbersome to me. Others might not see it that way though. I draw an analogy between a sports car being like a 5/8 or a 3/4 ton pickup being like a 7/8. They'll both get you there but I can get around faster in the sports car. The 6/8 is sort of in between IMHO.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Having shaved with everything from 4/8 to 10/8 I kind of like the 6/8 for its maneuverability. Stepping up to a 7/8 and above just seems a bit more cumbersome to me. Others might not see it that way though. I draw an analogy between a sports car being like a 5/8 or a 3/4 ton pickup being like a 7/8. They'll both get you there but I can get around faster in the sports car. The 6/8 is sort of in between IMHO.

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Thanks! I might have to consider getting to 6/8 instead.

There seem to be more 5/8 vintage razors seen than anything else followed by 6/8. I have razors from 5/8 to 7/8 and use all sizes. The wider sizes are easier to hold an angle and strop while the narrower size is more agile. 6/8 is a good compromise.

you just missed a couple of them in the classifieds here !!!

My short experience in straight shaving echoes what others have said. I have and use most sizes between 4/8 and 8/8 and find I like 5/8 to 6/8 about the best. If I go 7/8 and bigger they are a little cumbersome and 4/8 a little too dainty. They all do the job though.

Bob

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Originally Posted by Estesnoah

So I've decided as a Christmas present to myself to get a hart razor. I'm getting pretty comfortable with my Dovo 5/8 and have had a few months of experience.

I'm wondering if I should get a 6/8 or 7/8 hart. I have a very course beard with sensitive skin and plan on using it for a very long time (I'm only 18). Which would yield the best shave and would retain its overall quality the best?

I'm leaning towards the 7/8 but have heard complaints of it being too heavy. Any advice would be very much appreciated.:D

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I was wondering the same thing. Was leaning more to the 7/8 but now... I'll probably be looking more into the 6/8

I've owned both but I kept the 6/8. It just felt more comfortable in the hand.

I am a really big fan of Hart Steel and own both 6/8 & 7/8 both round & square points I just bought one for myself and got the 6/8 like the post above I jus think the 6/8 is a little easier to move around your face I have other razors from 4/8 to 8/8 but seem to find myself shaving with the 6/8 Hart Steel. This is just how I feel you may like the bigger blades but out of the 7 Harts I own only 2 are 7/8 as for the weight I can't tell much difference the weight of either is enough to Melt the Whiskers away. You can't go wrong with a Hart Steel

7/8ths blades are a little cumbersome for me also. I prefer 6/8ths, but it's so subjective and personal.
Does your present blade seen a little small to you? Could you go larger?
I hate to even suggest this, but Hart razors are so well respected and sought after that one would be easy to flip if it's not to your liking.

It's a matter of whether you like big blades or not. I'll take a 6/8s over a 7/8s any day. I find the larger razors are clumsy and the large scales get in the way.

Thanks everyone for your opinions! I've decided to go for the 6/8 since my face is very curvy and I think it'll be a lot easier to control.

Now to decide the scales...I like the black resin ones a lot. But those rosewood and cocobolo scales are darn tempting.

The standard Hart resin scales will last forever. No nonsense scales for a serious blade. The woods are nice looking so it's
really what you want to spend. Enjoy your Hart.

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Originally Posted by Estesnoah

Thanks everyone for your opinions! I've decided to go for the 6/8 since my face is very curvy and I think it'll be a lot easier to control.

Now to decide the scales...I like the black resin ones a lot. But those rosewood and cocobolo scales are darn tempting.

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I think you won't be disappointed. I too have a Hart in 6/8 and 7/8, and what I believe to be a bigger issue than the difference in size between the two is the affect the scales can on the weight and balance of the razor. I have Harts with maple scales, bone scales and resin. I'm paraphrasing what Iz6 said, but the Hart resin scales may not win a beauty contest but it feels nice in the hand and balances the blade perfectly.