Thread: Really Big Razors - What's the Appeal?

6/8 to 7/8 1/4 hollow for me. I have one blade at 9/8 and it's heavy, shaves great but I have to say my hand gets a work out when I use it. Also as Walter said, my hands have never been steady either so the 6-7/8 size range calms thing's down. They all work as was said, but the added weight is like power steering over a lighter blade.

Originally Posted by ace

I have them from 9/8 through 14/8. They're just more fun to use. I have no problems at all shaving with them.

I seem to remember a 3 stooges episode where the straight razor was used. Your "Curly" picture reminded me of that!

Rather than the "large" aspect, I tend, for myself, to find appeal in the weight.

I alternate on a daily basis between small and light blades and large and heavy blades.

In the first case, I tend to "direct" the blade in the direction where I want to shave, in the other case I merely let the weight do the trick.
Much like working with a lightweight vs heavyweight DE.

Still, the blade wiping part is a plus

My two cents

I'm guessing there must be a cool factor. Kind of like when I go to cities and there are people driving around in giant 4X4's. The closest to off road those trucks get is an unpaved parking lot. So there must be some cool factor. I don't see a big change in shave quality for one size to another, you are right about the less wiping. I have to confess though, I have several big blades. I got them to try out and restore. They are nice blades but do not offer anything a smaller blade does not. It's all about what floats your boat, the cool factor. I think most of us are just having fun and not many of us are into this for the practical solo....

Guess it's one of those personal preference things.

After I purchased an 8/8 Revisor from the Classifieds here, it was no looking back. A 5/8 feels like a toy in my hand now.

For me, everything about them works, I love the aesthetic, I really like being able to see the blade clearly and easily, and the feel of the weight of the steel against my face completely works for me. I find they strop much easier for me, and again, with the big blades, you can really see what you're doing and where it's going - ultimately though, like everything, it basically boils down to personal preference. Same with the fact I prefer the spike points, really don't like round points, they're my least favorite! LOL

Having said that, I guess I'm at extremes, while I love the big blades, I'm equally enamored with the French and Swedish frame backs, the Thiers-Issard #69 and the #19 I have are awesome, while the 13/16 W&B frame back I have didn't really do it for me...just personal taste in the end.

For me it is all what you get used to and prefer. 8/8 is my preferred size at this point. Everything from full hollow to near wedge. It's just what my hands are used to moving around on my face.

I'm not sure it can be said with certainty that big blades attract more appeal than mid-size blades,,,if that is what you are trying to say.

I have both , but shave with mid-size full hollows most of the time.

But,,,

If there are 2 razors on the table to choose from, both NOS, one full wedge Wade & Butcher & the other a hollow Filarmonica ,,,I want the W&B,,,can't really explain it..

If I could choose between a Cadillac El Dorado convertible & a mid size BMW,,,give me the Caddy.

Not really the explaination you were looking for, I'm sure,,,but some things are hard to explain, I guess,,

The choice is really not that hard, when looking at them both, side by side,,

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm not sure it can be said with certainty that big blades attract more appeal than mid-size blades,,,if that is what you are trying to say.

No, not that. Just trying to learn what the appeal is for those who like them. Me, I tried and missed the magic. It sounds as simple as, "One man's meat...".

For me I like the big blade because of the weight. Since child hood my hands shake a little, and with the weight of the big blades I have no issues in honing, stopping, or shaving they really work for me. BUT my first purchase of the Big W&B was because I thought it was cool !!!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I'm not sure it can be said with certainty that big blades attract more appeal than mid-size blades,,,if that is what you are trying to say.

I have both , but shave with mid-size full hollows most of the time.

But,,,

If there are 2 razors on the table to choose from, both NOS, one full wedge Wade & Butcher & the other a hollow Filarmonica ,,,I want the W&B,,,can't really explain it..

If I could choose between a Cadillac El Dorado convertible & a mid size BMW,,,give me the Caddy.

Not really the explaination you were looking for, I'm sure,,,but some things are hard to explain, I guess,,

The choice is really not that hard, when looking at them both, side by side,,

Hirlau - you always deliver a great laugh, not only some fantastic humor, but pretty much gave a coherent case for the big blades at the same time.

Thanks again!