Thread: Why recommend 5/8?

I'm very curious on this subject. I may have more hand eye coordination than most, having shaved maybe 50 times with a straight now but as stated before my first razor was a DD 15/16. I've tried 6/8, even 5/8. As a matter of fact, as far as my experience has went, the smaller the blade the more often you are whittling whiskers and washing your blade. I'm addicted to my 17/16 Wade and Butcher and am very excited to move up to 9/8 and even 10/8. If anyone has noticed I'm also in search of an 11/8 custom. Is it just preference, or is there a real reason for recommending that people start off tiny other than margin of error? Hope I don't step on any toes here. This is not meant to be little anyone that prefers the smaller blades, just satisfying curiosity.

Just easy to use and a lot of times not as expensive.

It's the middle of the road kinda thing.

Not too small, not too big, not too heavy, not too light, not too expensive, etc.

Easy and not too complicated to learn how to strop and maneuver around on the face with the size.


I personally prefer to shave with 5/8s and below.
I enjoy a 6/8 and up as well; but will not choose one if I had to pick one size.

It's a personal preference thing as anything else in the end, it's just a starting point for recommendations.

I never recommend 5/8 as I prefer 6/8 and 7/8.

Im with Kees as far as 6/8 to 7/8 is my pref. But as said, 5/8 is more of a middle ground. Easier to learn with. I learned w8th a 4/8 and then picked up a 5/8 and though it was big. Guess its just what you get used too.

Start off Tiny? The problem is you like humongous (har har).

2/8s is tiny and 3/8s is tiny but 5/8s is the standard size. It's what classic barbers mostly used (that and 6/8s) and gives a good maneuverable razor and you can keep your hands firmly on it.

When you start out that's what you want. Eventually you can decide what you prefer to use once you got the basics down.

When I was younger barbers still did straight razor shaves and you never saw them use a large blade, 5/8 were the norm. Barbers are businessmen and why use a more expensive too, larger razor, when a 5/8 will do the job nicely for less cost.

Today that philosophy still makes a lot of sense for a beginner not wanting to spend a lot of money before they know they will stay with the sport. Would I recommend a 5/8 to a beginner? Sure they work as good as anything else.

Personally I prefer 6/8 and don't really care much for the larger razors althought I do have them. I think people are just kidding themselves if they think they need huge razors but as a preference that works.

Bob

As you know, with bigger heavier razors, it takes a bit more experience to handle them properly.
Starting with a 5-6/8, the razor is lighter and much easier to "handle".

I also prefer the bigger blades 7/8-10/8, but I also love the shaves I get out of my 5-6/8.

Was just curious, I can see how a smaller blade is easier to maneuver but I also feel the weight and size of say 7/8+ gives a longer, smooth single stroke. Makes a shave so easy. And stropping in particular is much easier to me with a wide blade. May just be me and how I learned I guess.

I'll agree with the longer stroke with a larger blade. But it is best for beginners to use short strokes to get used to this style of shaving.
As to stropping, some practice with a butter knife to gain muscle memory. And BAM that's about a 5/8 right there.

Yes, to each their own and we all do learn differently for sure.