Thread: Thickness and Width

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.

When I started I found 6/8 to be much easier to use. YMMV

Most razor edges are around 2.75". This seems like it would be too long but in practice the length helps as you are only dealing with one end at a time since your face is mostly convex.

Great amounts wind up being personal preference. Either will make a great first straight how ever the key is making sure that it comes shave ready is of the utmost importance. It is often handy if you get one that hits high on your cool scale as well, it helps to keep you going if you hit a tough spot on the learning curve.

A wider blade will hold more shave cream which means less rinsing.

Just kidding, but not really, they do hold more cream, but I shave half my face and switch sides so it does not matter.

The little bit more weight of the blade may be a bit easier to learn on, it is much more personal preference, than anything else. I think grind may matter more than blade size.

Historically the most commonly manufactured blade size was the 5/8, so many of our shaving forebears got by with that size just fine. Recently there seems to be an overreaction to the bigger is better concept. Don't make the mistake of ruling out all of the great options at the 4/8 and 5/8 sizes.

I started with a square point instead of a round point and went on to slice my face quite a few times.

Luckily I'm not scarred. My beauty is preserved

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 saw a 5/8 I liked already, go figure...

I won't rule them out. Now the 4/8 I dunno...

Originally Posted by Utopian

Historically the most commonly manufactured blade size was the 5/8, so many of our shaving forebears got by with that size just fine. Recently there seems to be an overreaction to the bigger is better concept. Don't make the mistake of ruling out all of the great options at the 4/8 and 5/8 sizes.

Edit: Should I be thinking about grind? Don't you lay tape across the back and that will be your angle when sharp? (I don't plan to sharpen myself in the next year or so)

Not sure about the lefty thing when shaving other side. Maybe I will try with the DE...

Originally Posted by Euclid440

A wider blade will hold more shave cream which means less rinsing.

Just kidding, but not really, they do hold more cream, but I shave half my face and switch sides so it does not matter.

The little bit more weight of the blade may be a bit easier to learn on, it is much more personal preference, than anything else. I think grind may matter more than blade size.

Electrical tape protects the spine from wear during honing. This is particularly important when starting out, as you are more likely to make more passes on the hone as you develop your technique.

I wouldn't worry too much about grind. Round point, 5/8 or 6/8, and you'll be set.