Thread: Thickness and Width

As normal for me I went way off base and learned with a Parker Shavette. Instead of all the advice of doing your dominate hand cheek I did my complete face. I think my profile pic was from that day. But I'm still here and now have two straights. My first proper one was a 4/8 from Whipped Dog. Matter of fact I just used it this morning and got a wonderful shave from it. I also have a 6/8 Col Conk Dovo that still has the factory edge on it.
Now do I prefer one over the other? I think the 6/8 would be easier to learn on for the simple fact that it would be harder to roll into a bad angle. The blade is wider and easier to tell the angle on. So if I was starting out now and knew what I do now I would go with the 6/8.
I hope this helps a little.
Cheers,
John

I think that the advice given pretty well covers it, choose a quality brand that you like the look of, I have or have had/used razors in sizes from 4/8 to 17/16 mostly with rounded or slightly muted points, I have also tried various grinds.
Personally I now have a 5/8 or just over, a 7/8 and a 17/16, they all shave well but differently, the 2 smaller razors are much easier to shave with than the larger one, but that one is still fun to use.
I prefer thinner grinds to wedges and smiling blades to straight blades.

I honestly don't think you will see a huge difference between the two sizes assuming that they are the same grind.
Pick the one you like and persevere with it, don't fall into the trap of buying a pile of different razors until you are comfortable with the one you have and have an idea of what you would like to change. You might get advice to buy a second razor as a back up for when your main razor is out to be honed but I would just use the D/E that you have in this circumstance.

I suggest that you practice your stopping technique prior to getting your razor it will make life easier for you. As a practice tool all you need is something like a butter knife and a belt. You can also use a layer or two of newspaper in a bulldog clip, if you pull the paper out of the clip you are stropping with too much pressure.

Thanks much for the info. I am honing in on my preference...