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

I like my 7/8 razors for the ease of use. I have thick hands and fingers; griping and using a larger blade is easier than a small blade for me. I have 21 razors in my rotation ranging from 4/8 to 7/8 and as far as their ability to get the job done there is no difference, it is just how they feel in the hand. As for not having to wipe the blade as often I personally find this to be untrue until I get out my 4/8 J.R. Torrey; I shave in sections (right cheek and hand then left cheek and hand ect.) and wipe between each out of necessity so a 5/8 holds all the lather I can get on a section of face.

Now my wife is going to be mad at you for agitating my RAD by reminding me that not all 21 of my razors are 7/8 or larger. I am off to look for another 7/8 C.F. Wolfertz, I would try and find another large W&B but Phrank bought them all. Anyway that's my two cents and as always YMMV.

Originally Posted by Phrank

14/8 !?!?!?!

LOL - you're kidding right? I didn't even know they made them that big!

They are scary looking and unbelievable to hold in your hand. If you love the weight I think that would push the limit. Axes are cheaper :<0)

I have some 8/8 and 10/8 and they give no feedback and just do their job. They seem to be better for when longer beard needs to be mowed down in my case. That isn't very often. "They ain't wrong, their just different" :<0)

My sweetspot is hollow ground 8/8,are far lighter than most bigblades.
Have had bigger but for me they have a downside,A 10/8 rodgers I sold awhile back was sort of over the top for me.
Was a beautifull Razor for sure and rather rare.
But the spine was 5/16 thick and the tang 3/4 wide,very heavy and for me a PITA to strop.

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!

I will add that bigger is not always better in this area for me. If it is going to be big, it must also be geometrically correct. I have used big blades that seemed geometrically challenged in that they were a pain to hone and strop. I'll take a proper 6/8 over an unbalanced 10/8 any day. I will say that I have many 8/8 blades, and the best balanced of them all is a Brian Brown 1/4 hollow. It is just perfect in the hand and on the strop.

Of the lot, I prefer a 6/8.
Not unlike Goldilocks & The 3 Bears

"not too big, not too small, just the right size"

I have one 7/8 blade (Hart Steel) and a couple Bokers in 5/8; I like those as well. Surely prefer the 6/8 though.

For me, the grind is more a focal point. I am finding out that the "quarter, half, full, extra hollow" labels are very subjective, at least by how they feel when using.

Please post all obligatory juvenile comments regarding size and masculine overcompensation here:_________________________.

So far my collection spans the 4/8" - 8/8" range, though I haven't shaved with the big guy, yet. 6/8" seems to be the most natural fit for me...for some reason, I tend to apply too much pressure with smaller blades. And as a newb, I think that bigger blades are easier to "see"; I find that it's easier to keep the angle of attack nice and low...now that I think of it, maybe that's my real problem with the smaller blades. And though it's kind of trivial, I like not having to wipe the blade so often.

That's my take on the practical side of the issue, but there's aesthetics to be considered. Frankly, I think that blades in the 6-9/8" range simply look the best; I like their proportions, and I appreciate how their weight feels in my hand.

I don't think that machismo is a factor at all...I've never even owned a truck, though my Infiniti does have AWD.