Thread: Thickness and Width

Originally Posted by gflight

I have been researching and I get the impression that a 5/8 or 6/8 is more forgiving for a first timer. The 6/8 has more heft and the DE I bought a few weeks ago was the short heavy duty Murker 34 so I am leaning toward a 6/8. Is this valid and would there be other reasons to go heavier vs lighter or vice versa?

I haven't seen anything about length of the cutting surface, what implications could that have for a beginner? I did read the info on round points and think that is in my best interest.

personally found for my very coarse and thick beard a heavy grind work best and a bigger is better. Having said that though I have only used three different razors. I would go with a 6/8 as it is in the middle. As for details I wouldn't pay much attention and would use a shavette as I normally do

I'm still learning all this and so far the biggest difference for me between the 5/8 and 6/8 is when stropping. I find the 6/8 much easier to strop than the 5/8. But then again, my stropping sucks so take that for what it's worth

A wider blade will be easier to strop if you are excessively torquing the blade. If you eliminate most of that torquing, then the 5/8 will be just as easy as the 6/8.