Thread: Problems with small light blades??

I think JimmyHAD used to have a signature that quoted and "Old Barber" saying something about holding the razor very loosely. I used my Barber's Deluxe again this morning and tried a very light grip on the tang with the scales between my fingers adjusted to balance the blade. It worked like a champ. I got a A+ shave. I still think it is less forgiving than the heavier blades, but I think I have it figured out.

Thanks again for your comments.

Originally Posted by coloshaver

I've been at this awhile and have about 20 razors in rotation. I have a harder time getting a close AND comfortable shave with my lighter, smaller and thinner blades.
....snip....
I still get good+ shaves with the small ones, but I get GREAT shaves with the heavy blades.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Any thoughts he asks... well some days we would all jump in.

In this case I find the reverse was true for me and now I think I know why.
At this point they are darn near equal.

A heavy blade hones differently. A wedge hardly flexes
and tolerates an uneven heavy (dare I say novice) hand
while honing.

I have a 7/8 Robusto that is so finely ground that the first 4/8
is almost as thin as a DE blade. It does not tolerate any heavy
or uneven hand while honing. But when treated smooth and
evenly from 1k to 13k --- Gosh it gets nice.

Thin and short 4/8 blades the lack of depth makes it difficult
to apply the same pressure at the edge that I do on a more
common 5/8 or 6/8 razor. It is after all an angle and lever thing.

So back to the hones. 5x on 1k as light a touch as possible,
15x on 4k as light a touch as possible, 25x on 8k a light as
possible rinse clean twice at 10x and 15x (x is hone strokes up+back=1)

OR use your own tricks: circles, ... what ever works.

I've graduated to a 6/8 half hollow and find it much easier to use. It seems to give better control on the face and on the strop. I love the size and heft; big blade for big hands. It's forgiving for a newbie.

Originally Posted by jbtusa

I've graduated to a 6/8 half hollow and find it much easier to use. It seems to give better control on the face and on the strop. I love the size and heft; big blade for big hands. It's forgiving for a newbie.

That's exactly my point. The heavier the grind the more forgiving the blade is of technique. Not to say that there's necessarily anything wrong with starting out that way - whatever gets you through the night. It's just that once your technique gets better the full hollow blades you once didn't favour will all of a sudden shave very well.

While reading through this thread, I thought about all the comments. I can shave fine with a smaller blade, just prefer the larger. Nothing to do with the shave, just prefer the feeling in my hand.