Thread: How many people like the skinny blades.(4/8 or less)

I have been shaving with a straight for several years now. I started with a 5/8 genco. The strop was a no name from my grandfather's basement. I had no clue how to hone or get a comfortable shave. The electric shaver killed my face and the disposables in the military were painful. About two years ago I found this site, and besides costing me a lot of money, teaching me how to maintain razors, how to use the properly honed razors, I've found my most comfortable shaves seem to be skinny razors. I've tried just about every size and grind, I always seem to get some weepers from the large blades. Plus it feels like I have better control of a lighter blade. What is your favorite"skinny"? Mine is a clauberg tonsilar gem.

I have several 4/8 and they are generally my favorite size for shaving. A Spike and a Daniel Herder currently in rotation. Also a 3/8 Shumate Tungsteel and a 3/8 Edmund Roffler that I use now and then for trimming around my goatee and some places on my neck. I agree, I feel I have good control with the 4/8s. But I also have larger, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 and 6/8 in rotation and I enjoy the constant contrast in handling between the different sizes. I'll tell you tho, weepers don't come from larger sizes. I don't care the about the size, its my momentary lack of concentration that causes the nicks and weepers. And they don't have to be sharp points either.

I have a 5/8 Ralph Aust and a 3/8 (I think) Pabst & Kohler. Although still new to this sport, I am currently favoring the P&K. It seems to be easier to control than the RA, and not quite as bloodthirsty.
Of course that could be due to my questionable honing skills, too.

I have a couple 4/8ish blades of different grinds that aren't in my rotation per se but get used to get a couple hairs right at the base of each side of my nose. I usually bring one in to compliment a larger blade that I am not as comfortable with that close to my nose. Other than that, I have a small kinfolks wedge that I used frequently before my RAD really kicked in....its now in the drawer unused for months

Chris

I have a few 4/8 in my rotation (all ducks). When I first pick them up I think, " ahh do I really want to use this", but you know what ? I never get a bad shave out of them.

I have a NOS Soderen fauxback in a 4/8. Have to admit, I have been thinking about selling it, but this thread makes me wonder if I shouldn't give the smaller razors a chance.

My best shaver is a 4/8 Bengall.
I much prefer the smaller razors.

Find small blades difficult to hone and strop. Size, balance, ??

Not my cup of tea,3 x 4/8 suits me fine tho.