Thread: Some thoughts - razor weight, and skin stretch

I can count on 2 fingers how many months I've been shaving with a straight razor. Against the advice of my brother, who's used a straight for years, I went cold turkey (but used the old razor for touch ups in the beginning).

I've shaved with a 6/8s full hollow blade and a 5/8s full hollow blade and can shave a lot cleaner with the 5/8s blade.
The 6/8s blade was new, and shave ready - the 5/8s is a Robeson I bought off of the site - and shave ready (great purchase, I gotta say).
I can get a very smooth shave out of the 5/8s - just as good if not better than the safety razors. I can get that good on the easy parts of my face with the 6/8s, but otherwise, the shave is just less than the 5 o'clock shadow.
I'm wondering, if the shave is better with the lighter blade because the lighter blade doesn't require as severe a skin stretch?
Any thoughts on this? Both blades pass a hanging hair test.

-Bryan

I don't think it's an issue with the size/weight rather than either the edge or the technique. I stretch my skin the same no matter what the weight or the grind and since my skin is rather sensitive, I stretch lightly -- especially going across the grain.

What sort of routine and pass(es) are you using?

Not sure, but I don't think it's got anything to do with skin stretching.

What kind of edge variety might I find in razors?
Reason I say skin stretch -
I notice that when I stretch to the same extent - say at the jawline - the 5/8s slides right over, but the 6/8s will grab some, unless I pull in addition to contorting my face.
I didn't think about edge difference - both pass a hanging hair test, so I figured they'd be relatively equal.
As for technique - I do two passes overall, and a third just around my chin. I do the chin only pass first, then neck, right face side, left face side - and then for the second pass I do them all, and do this across more than against the grain.

It's either a technique issue or the 6\8 isn't sharp enough. If it's the latter then that's a simple fix: touch it up. If it's techique then it should be just a matter of practice. You might have to play with you angles a little bit.

seems like the 5/8 fits your tecnique better at the moment
have you tryed using one blade exclusively for 5-6 shaves?
as the one you develop a feel for always will be the best at that time

Originally Posted by hunleycrew

...both pass a hanging hair test, so I figured they'd be relatively equal...

IMHO, you're wrong. Again, this is my opinion. The only test I rely on and would suggest is the shave test. If they both pass the shave test - one full stroke WTG (with perfect technique) on your sideburn that easily cuts the whiskers with no tugging or pulling - then I'd say they both have a good edge. Otherwise a touch-up on a barber hone or pasted strop is in order.

My real guess is your technique isn't great yet, which is totally normal. There is a difference between a 6/8 and a 5/8 and when everything is new the difference can have a larger effect on the shave. You said the shave is good on the easy parts but not the tough curves. That's your answer right there, my friend.

Hope this helps.

I think you are dialed in with the edge of the 5/8, but not quite dialed in with the 6/8. The shave test is the ultimate test.

If I was in your situation, I would be giving the 6/8 some passes on my pasted strop to fine tune that edge to give an outstanding shave.

Pabster

I've started using the 5/8 only for this week, following janivar123's suggestion. All good, and I've put paste to a strop for the 6/8 - next week, I'll give the 6/8 a go, and see if technique has developed enough for both razors. I'll give the 6/8 several shaves and reassess.

Thanks for all the responses -
Bryan

This is what i think.
if your blades are shave ready and in fact you are shaving easy locations on your face same(no differences between 5/8 or 6/8) you do have size problem.
You are unable to use 6/8 as easy as 5/8 on your neck area etc.
To find out this
There is 2 ways.
1 try to shave with 8/8 blade and see you will have same or more problem
2. try to use 3/8 and see you are getting a lot better in hard reachable places.
As soon as you have done any of them it will tell you the answer.
GL