Thread: Spin off from the blade width posting

Do larger blade widths (6/8 or larger) strictly work better on heavy beards or do they also work better on coarse beards? My beard is not exceptionally heavy, but I have been told by my barber, who has given me a shave once, that it is pretty coarse. Therefore, do larger blades improve the quality of a shave for coarse, but not necessarily heavy beards? Or is the quality only improved with a very keen blade of any razor -- like a 5/8 or even maybe a 4/8 razor?

Thanks,
Rob

Well within that question lies the secrets of the universe.

I think that its part psychological in that when you see this massive blade you just know its going to devastate that heavy growth after all how can a puny little 4/8s possibly do the same job?

In my experience as they say sharp is sharp. I've had 4/8s cut through several days of growth like butter but that big boy just seems to be asking for the job.

Is the big blade better? Everyone will have an opinion on that question and everyone will be correct. If you believe bigger is better it will be and if you believe the smaller one is just as good it will be also.

I think there's a certain amount of feel involved in this. I don't think bigger blades necessarily cut better, but the feel of the blade in your hand may be more appealing to some than others.

Perhaps there's a difference if your beard is much heavier or something, but I wouldn't know. My beard is average, but I sometimes like the bigger blade just because it's heavier in my hand, not because it does a better job.

I think, all things being equal, they work better on both. A heavy beard has the same challenges as a course beard and vice a versa. I think the wieght of the 6/8 is important, but I have difficulty honing and using the 6/8 so I still prefer 5/8 because sharp is critical to the process. I can imagine someone liking a 6/8 for the cheeks and a 4/8 for the "goatee" area, since it is easier to manuever. But until you try a 6/8 for yourself its hard to be sure. I tried one and didn't like it but most guys love them. Since they are the preferred size of everyone here I think they are always worth a try.

The grind of the razor is more important for dealing with heavy beard than it's size. Full hollow grinded razors are more sensitive and provide more feedback, and are more sutable for light beard. 1/2, 1/4 and hollow grinds offer more stability and dont flex as much, making them better heavy beard cutters. I prefer the second type...

Nenad

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciated your comments.

Rob

If you have a coarse beard then that will deflect the full hollow razor more than it would a wedge grind. I would start with a wedge grind or at most a half hollow grind. The minimum size would be a 5/8ths just to be on the safe side. A 6/8ths would be better. No matter what you chose the razor must be as sharp as it can be.

Just my two cents,

I'd have to agree that sharp is sharp and no blade width can change that. The only other truth is that the larger/heavier blade will feel like it's cutting with less effort, generally due to the laws of inertial momentum, "a body in motion ...", while a smaller/lighter blade will seem more manoeuvrable around the tight corners.

How hollow? I only use full hollow razors so far so I can't answer that.

X

Originally Posted by randydance062449

If you have a coarse beard then that will deflect the full hollow razor more than it would a wedge grind. I would start with a wedge grind or at most a half hollow grind. The minimum size would be a 5/8ths just to be on the safe side. A 6/8ths would be better. No matter what you chose the razor must be as sharp as it can be.

Just my two cents,

Randy,

I'm not sure what you mean by wedge grind, full hollow, or half hollow grind. Could you please explain them in more detail? How can I tell what my current razors are? Is it a visual thing? Thanks.

Rob

I have a pretty thick and heavy beard. It also very course. I have one 6/8, several 5/8, some older and sharpened down 5/8 (9/16), a few 4/8 and one 3/8.

I am still on a learning curve so I am not an authority, just expressing my experience.

I like the 6/8 the least, the 5/8 are good, the 4/8 are slightly better and the 3/8 is not my choice, but I do get a descent shave. My choice is between 5/8 and 4/8. I also like the softer steel that I have found in some, but not all older razors.

As I get more experience, I am sure my opinion will change. I would like to hear from others how the learning process has developed for them.