Thread: Tips from the guys who like small blades...

Hey Guys,
I just received two blades from one of our members the other day. One was a Frederick Reynolds around 6/8 and the other was a Henckels Platinum 4/8. He sold them as "not" shave ready, but honestly, they were quite sharp and probably could have shaved right off out of the bubble wrap.

Anyway, I cleaned them and even though it was quite late by the time I got home, I still wanted to try one of them. I really wanted to try the Henckels because I have never used a small blade, but since it was 2 AM, I thought it would be better to go with the Reynolds to be safe. I cleaned the blade, and got out the Guanxi hone, and gave it about 50 passes, then took it up to the strop for another 50 passes. I took it for a spin, and man, I love this razor. Pretty close to BBS on the first pass. Finished up with one of my best shaves ever, even though it was quite late, and I was tired. The blade felt so smooth cutting through the whiskers.

So, after such a great shave on Thursday, I decided to try the Henckels last night. Gave the blade the same treatment. Didn't test it after I stropped though, but went straight to the shave after the strop. Same prep work though. Man alive, it was totally different. Some areas were great. It was really easy to clean up the mustache and sideburns, and the blade was very maneuverable. But for the most part it was really harsh, uncomfortable. Blade was jumping around and it seemed like I had to do about 5 passes to get a BBS on even my cheek areas.

Anyway, I thought maybe it had something to do with not letting my beard grow out enough, so I went and grabbed the Reynolds and did a couple of passes with it. After that, I remembered why I was so excited to be able to shave again. That blade still felt like a knife cutting through hot butter.

I put the Reynolds back down, determined to try and make the Henckels work, but just couldn't get the same feeling. I have read that a small blade takes a certain finesse and a more skilled hand. As such, I am wondering if there is any advice from the guys who like/use small blades. What do you guys do to get them to work for you? Different angles, different motions, more pressure, less pressure, will it always take more passes, etc?... I really like the feel of the small blade, just don't like the shave I am getting.

Sorry for the long post, but really looking for any advice you guys can give. Thanks in advance.

I have had good shaves with small blades and vice versa. Henckels are good blades usually. Maybe it was not ready for the Guanxi hone yet? It may just need some more honing, starting with a lower grit size and working your way up the grit ladder.

I have the same issue with a Henckels, it's so small and light, I think I'm not honing it correctly, they are great shavers according to everyone here, but I can't get mine perfect, have only tried once to hone it, I should try gain later today

I can't say I do anything differently when I shave with a smaller blade. I often go from a 6/8 blade to a 4/8 or 9/16 the next day and get a great shave every time with no appreciable change in technique. In fact, I think my overall best razor is my little Globusmen #37 4/8 which has given me a fantastic shave every single time I've used it and has never cut me, or caused me any problems at all. It also gives me no problems while honing and if I could get another one I'd leap at the chance.

Might be what Kees said, OTOH, thinking about the difference between a full hollow 4/8 and what I assume is a 1/2 hollow .... being it is a Sheffield I think the weight and stiffness of the blade may have made a difference. As you mentioned the smaller blade is easily maneuvered but the larger Sheffield has more momentum and probably no flex.

I think the Henckels is not sharp enough yet. The Platinum is a superb shaver when the edge is right.

I have a 5/8 Frederick Reynolds and a 5/8 Henckels '15', both that I acquired from fellow members. I bought the Henckels because I had heard what good shavers they were, plus the price was right, but to be honest not that impressed, the FR out performs it. Don't get me wrong, the Henckels is a fine shaver, but the dancing twins need to take some dancing lessons from FR. I too have noticed the difference in weight of the two, the Henckels being lighter, and does jump some. The German steel seems to be a bit harder than Sheffield also, have had problems getting them sharp but once they are sharp they are great shavers. I'm going to try polishing the edge some more with balsa/chrome ox to see if that helps plus some extra passes on leather strop.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I have taken it back to the hones. Starting at 15 strokes on the 4k/8k Nortons, I ran through the pyramids. I think took it to the Guanxi Stone for about 100 laps. 50 passes on the leather strop. Guess I will need to wait a couple days to get some reasonable growth to try a shave test.

I hope it was the fact that it wasn't sharp enough. I really like the feel of the Platinum in my hands and the ease in which I can get to those hard to reach places.

I am worried about it being too light, though I don't think I necessarily have a heavy beard compared to most on here. That said, I still think the jumping and skipping would decrease if the blade was heavier. I guess I just need to get this thing REALLY sharp so weight doesn't matter.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

I too have noticed the difference in weight of the two, the Henckels being lighter, and does jump some. The German steel seems to be a bit harder than Sheffield also, have had problems getting them sharp but once they are sharp they are great shavers. I'm going to try polishing the edge some more with balsa/chrome ox to see if that helps plus some extra passes on leather strop.

Like you, I find the German steel harder and more harsh for the shave. I think maybe the Henckel's is sharp enough now that I put it to the hones again. However, I still feel it needs that extra polish on the edge so it doesn't feel so harsh. Maybe it is the harder steel and the Sheffield steel just polishes up nicer, I don't know. Keeping my fingers crossed for my next shave. I don't want to put this one in the back drawer just yet.

It is pretty widely accepted that a heavier grind is a more forgiving grind...

This of course being with all things (sharpness) being equal...

The heavier grind plows through where a hollow grind can flex...

Now saying what I just said you would think,"Why even make full hollows"
Because full hollows flex they actually can give you a closer and more comfortable shave, BUT you have to learn how to use them....Even more actuate is saying that you have to use then with a more confident hand...
My advice use the one that works best for you then re-visit the smaller full hollow again in 2-3 months...