Thread: Heavier Razor = Easier to Use???

Okay guys,

I finally had my first self administered straight razor shave the other night, and I found something very interesting. First of all, I could not wait for my soaps and creams to get here, so I just went ahead and used the can goo that I had on hand. I laid out several razors that I have purchased over the lat couple of weeks and began.

After getting out of the shower, I applied the warmed canned goo to my face. Then I picked up my Wagner Jung "Silver Steel" 5/8 extra hollow razor and started shaving. It took me a while to realize that I needed to increase the angle that I was holding the razor at, but once I did that things went a little easier. I also tried a couple other 5/8 hollow ground razors that I had laid out with about the same feel and results. Then, I pulled out a no name, 13/16 hollow groud razor that is much heavier than the others, and all of the sudden I was shaving like a pro(comparatively speaking).

Now, this razor isn't the sharpest razor of the lot, but it was by far the easiest to shave with. Is this because of the heavier grind? I think I may be starting to understand why so many of you like the bigger heavier razors.

If it helps any of you to evaluate the scenario, my beard is very tough and wirey. After two shaves with a Mach 5 or a Fusion refill, I have to throw them away.

Any help you boys can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I think the heavier beard may have something to do with it. I for one really like 5/8, but that's just me.

I believe that I good shave can be had with any sharp razor. That said, it is also dependent on your technique. As I entered into the world of straight razors I found, after lots of attempts, that I had a heavy hand at shaving and that my angles needed tuning. Once I acquired the skills my shaves improved. Now I've got a bunch of straights of varying weights, sizes, grinds and points. I've grouped them into similar makes and attributes and try to shave through all of them throughout the year. I get great shaves from the lot but I have noticed that when I make a drastic change in grind and or weight of the razor it takes me a while to adjust my technique to suite the tool at hand.

My guess is that the heavier blade is more in tune to your current approach to shaving. If you only had one razor your style of shaving would evolve to the tool and your shaves would improve. That or you would give up. As you are starting out in this new approach to shaving you may consider sticking with the same blade for a few weeks to compensate for it's characteristics and focus on your technique to obtain a BBS shave. A rapid rotation between blades will get you there but it will take a bit longer. What works best with one blade may be slightly different with another of different grind and size. It all depends on how much you like change and how well/quickly you adapt to it.

Enjoy the journey and good luck!

p.s. good shave soap an/or shave cream will make a big difference. You may find that brushes will vary in technique also.

There is definitely a tendency for beginners to prefer the heavier razors, but this is much less pronounced among experienced straight razor shavers. Sharpness counts for much more than mass or rigidity, but mass and rigidity help compensate for a lack of technique, experience, and confidence, and this is of great help to the newbie. This is not the only reason someone may prefer them, but it does seem to be a factor for their extreme popularity among relative newcomers. There have been an awful lot of guys that dissed the little full hollows as inferior to the heavier razors for months and then with a year or so of experience under their belts wind up trying some little 5/8 Solingen and fall in love.

Originally Posted by mparker762

There is definitely a tendency for beginners to prefer the heavier razors, but this is much less pronounced among experienced straight razor shavers. Sharpness counts for much more than mass or rigidity, but mass and rigidity help compensate for a lack of technique, experience, and confidence, and this is of great help to the newbie. This is not the only reason someone may prefer them, but it does seem to be a factor for their extreme popularity among relative newcomers. There have been an awful lot of guys that dissed the little full hollows as inferior to the heavier razors for months and then with a year or so of experience under their belts wind up trying some little 5/8 Solingen and fall in love.

This is true of me (except the dissing the little full hollow razor part). My favorite everyday razors are my 4/8 Puma and a couple of 5/8 and 6/8 razors. I enjoy using my bigger ones still too, but the little razor just glides across my face with much more ease than my bigger razors (exception being my 8/8 RW with absolutely perfect balance which could be my only razor and keep me happy).

I concur with Joed. Well said and really hits the mark.

You will need to shave and shave to find what technique works for you. There are some many unique curves to each individuals face that there really is no right or wrong. There is more of a comfort zone. I used a rounded point straight when I started and that is what I was most comfy with. When I went to a Square point I had some issues with a couple of nicks here and there. But that was more because of what I was use to. Size was 5/8 and that what I liked more because of what I started with. As you shave each time you will gain more comfort and learning of your faces hills and valleys and the areas you need to work on.
I will say that in the beginning I never felt that if I was not sure of an area I would simply go over it lightly once and after shaving I would go over that area with a regular bic razor. It's not sin ... not when you're starting. It will help you prevent razor burn, nicks/cuts and frustration. My jawline by my ears was my danger zone if you will. I would carefully BUT smoothly go over the area and each time was like a practice run till after just a few days I had a feel for the razor going over that spot and it was as easy as shaving anywhere else.
For size of the razor Ill tell ya it is all about how well it was honed and how well it was stropped. Of course the good soap lathered up nice and hot makes that blade glide My little duck dwarf shave so smooth it was like I was 10 years old again.... And my Dovo will do the same. Its fine tuning your technique to your face.

After typing that all out I am left sitting here saying to myself that its about everything you do when you shave with a straight !

I assure you though, once you find the happy medium you will forever be smiling at the end of each shave !

PLUS you get to acquire more crap in the bathroom then your significant other !!!

I think in the end that straight shaving my be an area in life where size does not matter.

I think that bigger, heavier grind razors feel easier to shave with, but I had the same experience as the others - once I got more into straight shaving, I ran back to my full hollows! The only quarter hollow I've got left is my Le Grelot, I don't think I could ever sell that one

Since I have posted this thread I have been reading all around the forums about different size razors. What I have found is that anytime someone mentions that a bigger, heavier razor worked better for them, or was easier to use, they were told that it was because their technique wasn't up to par yet. I must say, this has me puzzled a bit.

So, am I to believe that all of these custom 7/8 and 8/8 wedges costing $600-$1000 are being made for newbies with bad technique ? Something just isn't adding up here fellas.

I admit, that I am obviously a rank newbie with only one shave under my belt, therefore I am certainly not in any position to argue with the pros here, but can there not ever be a situation where a heavier razor worked better because the face/beard type called for it??? Or, is a bigger, heavier razor only more comfortable to those with poor technique?

I am probably going to get flamed for this, but I'm not buying it. Convince me.

I promise I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ guys, I just don't get it. Those big razors are were made for somebody, and I am having a hard time believing it's only for newbies and guys with bad technique.

As a beginner I started with a hollow dovo. Soon after I ordered a Wapienica which is a 1/4 grind. I instantly took a liking to it and it became my favourite of the 2. I then got a 6/8 Wade and Butcher which is an even heavier grind, and preferred that even more.

I bought various other razors and tended to prefer a heavier grind than a more hollow, my frameback being the exception at the time, as I think all who have one can agree it gives the best of both worlds.

Anyway some 6 months later I read a post by Seraphim which I remember was called 'A hollow apology!'

This post outlined that one requires a certain type of skill to get the most out of a full hollow and how he indeed preferred wedges and/or got better shaves from wedges until he realised this.

I took my 6/8 Thiers Issard and used steeper angles while lighter pressure and found that it gave a better shave than I had previously been able to attain.

Its not necessarily the grind or width of the blade, its the users experience and technique.

Of course sharpness, stretching, type of steel can too make all the difference in the world, but the comparison is ceteris paribus, which is Latin for 'all things being equal.' So in a fair test, ie, 2 reputable brands, both shave ready one wedge and one hollow can in my opinion provide the same great shave.

Though Ill always love the way a wedge wipes hair off my face silently! Nothing to me beats that

EDIT

Those big razors were originally made in Sheffield for barbers use. I have a 19th C Wade and Butcher 8/8+ that states 'for barbers' use.'

People (and myself) like them as sometimes it is easier, as yes they are heavier, but also they can accumulate more lather and consequently do not require rinsing as much.

I also have a 3/8 though and several 5/8 hollow grinds, all of which are light, nimble and elegant and compare very differently to larger blades and wedges. The reason I have such variation is I like to have selection and choose what I am in the mood for (as well as a bad case of extreme RAD).

Also, an important note Ill add is that different grinds/sizes suit different beards - for example if I have not shaved for 3-5 days, then a wedge or large hollowish grind is preferable. However, a wedgey grind is not always great for me if I am to be clean shaven every day and a hollow will sometimes suit me better.

Those Mastro Livis and other 600 -1000 dollar razors you speak of - well they are for the rich and for the dreamers like myself! I wouldnt advise a Newb to get one - would u give a learner driver a Ferrari!?

They are heirloom pieces and works of art. Novelty also. Macho as can be, yet equally as elegant. One day.......

During my first few weeks, hollow ground razor felt way scarier to handle than a heavy blade.

Today, there is only one blade I "fear" - a very heavy 8/8 1/4 hollow Wostenholm. Restecp!