Thread: Problems with small light blades??

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. I get BBS+ with virtually no irritation with my Wilder, Hill & Sons or Genco Henrys XX, but have some difficulty with my Shumate Barber's Deluxe or Genco Safe Edge - still BBS, but a little more sensitive according to the Alum block. I've honed them all and they seem equally sharp - no pull and effortless cutting. I believe the weight has something to do with it, but my ATG strokes are up - against gravity - so . I'm thinking the small blades may be a little less forgiving of the angle. I have really focused on watching the pressure and try to keep it super light on the small blades.

I still get good+ shaves with the small ones, but I get GREAT shaves with the heavy blades.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

I definitely like heavier and bigger blades, but I think part of that is that I have big hands and I find the smaller blades feel funny in my hands. I can't quite feel comfortable. There are those that prefer smaller blades as well though so it's another YMMV issue.

I have just this week discovered comfortable ATG. Using my smallest blade laid flat against my skin I can finally stroke ATG without skipping and the risk of a cut. I can't get the wider blades to follow my puffy round cheeks well enough to accomplish this feat. Today I tried a Filarmonica 13 and it just wasn't working well. The little, more like tiny, Genco I have with a pronounced smile slid right up my throat and across my cheek. The WTG passes seem to favor the bigger blades I use.

MMHV

From your OP I don't know what you consider small ? I can shave well enough with a 4/8 but prefer a larger blade. I haven't even attempted a smaller blade and don't care to try one. A 5/8 is probably my favorite size though I do fine with a 6/8 or larger. I've got fairly large hands/fingers and find the tangs on the 4/8s more difficult to hold comfortably. Probably why out of a large collection of razors only two are 4/8.

I definitely like heavier and bigger blades but can a even good shave whit a smaller razor

Small light blades can be less forgiving of technique - angle, pressure etc - especially if you're used to big heavy razors. I think most folks underestimate the abilities of small razors, and for whatever reason may end up using additional pressure and passes in an effort to compensate. Providing a small blade is properly shave ready, I think they work best with a shallow angle (they can make angle estimation a bit harder), scything stroke and no pressure. That's pretty much the cornerstone of getting a great shave with ANY straight razor, it's just that small blades require a bit more attention to technique, that's all

I have smaller hands and a somewhat angular jaw so I enjoy the smaller blades. The first time I tried my 5/8 132 red imp I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I think I actually prefer the small blade. I think my 4/8 is my favorite. I'm considering a 3/8 to see what it's like.

I started with a 9/16 and used that for a few months. Then got a few 6/8 razors and for the longest time preferred those. THEN, about year after I started using a straight, my Mom sent me my Grandpa's 4/8 and I used it a few times. and went back to the 9/16 a few times as well for the sake of comparison.

I noticed in the year that had elapsed since starting to use a straight my technique must have gotten better because I noticed very little difference in the quality of shave between the smaller and larger razors (though, the shaves from the smaller razors may actually have been better) With the smaller razors, I have to use shorter strokes and pay much more attention to technique with the 4/8 than the 6/8. I can cut corners (no pun intended) with the bigger razor that I cannot do with the smaller razor.

It's not about the size.....