Thread: Blade Width

More and more over the last few years we are seeing people buying
larger width blades.....6/8, 7/8 and 8/8th's. It's interesting as alot
of folks start off with either 4/8 and 5/8 blades. Considering that
there are so many awesome 5/8 shavers out there, I thought it would
make a good discussion to talk about why you might like the larger
blades as well as how many you might have in comparison to the smaller
widths. Does anybody use different width blades during the same shave?
Lynn

I have four different 5/8, one 6/8+ Friodur and one 7/8 Filarmonica from Ray. The larger razors handle differently. They really reinforce, for me anyway, using a light tough and letting the razor do the work. I still like my 5/8 for the chin & upper lip, but I've been experimenting with the larger razors to find my groove.

After using a 6/8 or 7/8, the 5/8 just seems, for lack of a better word, "flimsy". I like the additional weight of the large blade, and am more comfortable shaving with the larger blade.

RT

all of the razors I've gatherd thus far are 5/8's... so I cant offer an opinion as to why I've moved to the larger blades yet

But, I can say that I think a "heaver" blade (not so much wider) would be more comfortable for me to shave with. For me it would probably boil down to the over all size and weight of the tang. I've only seen two "heavy" 5/8's that had a larger than usually tang area but if I could get my hands on one I doubt I'd be so inclined for the larger blade. It's not the shave that draws my interest but the weight/mass of the blade in hand. The easiest way to get more mass is to get a bigger razor.

I use a range of sizes. I started with 5/8 and then fell in love with the 7/8 blades because of their cutting efficiency. I do get galss smooth results with one pass on the cheeks. I also like the way they lay on the strop as it makes for fewer mistakes. Lately I have been going back the other way though. I REALLY like my 5/8 Friodur and of course my Wonderege. I have yet to prepare two razors for one shave unless I am testing a hone job. I think it makes sense though and will give it a try one of these days. I really love having a choice of whatever suits me for that day. If I am in a bit of a hurry, the 7/8 or 8/8 are my go to blades.

I like big women, I like big blades...

Just more "meat" to hold on to!

I kinda agree with the "flimsy" feel of the smaller blades. For me it just feels like they could break at the wrong type of touch.

I only have one 6/8 blade and to me it feels like shaving with a credit card on a popsicle stick. I'd like to try a 4/8 or 3/8 just to see if they manuever any faster around my face. I use my arm motion to shave so the added wieght of a 6/8 just doesn't exist, comparitively speaking. I like the 5/8 because I "know" it. When I"m flashing a straight around my face to shave I gotta know the exact width of the blade and a 6/8 really slows me down.

I use 3/8 through 7/8's. For me I usually like the bigger heavier blades but for a next day touchup where the beard is not to heavy a nice smaller blade gets the job done nicely.

Originally Posted by dawill

I like big women, I like big blades...

Just more "meat" to hold on to!

I kinda agree with the "flimsy" feel of the smaller blades. For me it just feels like they could break at the wrong type of touch.

You forgot big guns?
Big cars? Yes I'm one of the few that appriciates the "boats" of the 60's-70's

I should clearify that I feel like I have to "hold on" to my razors. The tang is too small, too thin, too light and too bloody slippery! So a more massive tang would just be more "sure" in the hands. This makes me a little less graceful

If I were to apprentice under the "Maestro" one thing I would do differently is apply checkering to the tangs, much the same way there is checkering on the hammer of a pistol. A large 26-28 l.p.i. pattern with the tips smoothed over would make a very comfortable "grip". It would have to be cut prior to the hardening however...

I use everything from 4/8 to 8/8s but probably prefer either the 5/8 or 6/8. I find the larger 7/8, 8/8 to be too big and heavy. The 6/8 to me has the best of both worlds good weight yet good maneuverability and feedback.