Does size and grind matter to you?

I am a rookie shaver that started off with two smaller sized, 4/4 and 9/16, full hollow ground razors. Along the way I picked up a few more vintage 5/6 and 6/8 razors one of which one appears to be 1/4 hollow ground. I have found the larger sized ones to be easier to shave with but the 1/4 hollow being the easiest to use and giving the least harsh shave. Anyone else found the heavier grinds to be this way? I was looking at current manufactured blades and very few seem to be of a heavier grind.

Bob

Yes, size makes a matter to me, grind not so much.

I prefer razors 6/8 or larger, anything smaller than that I feel like I'm shaving with a toy :)

Some days I fancy a wedge, other a full or extra hollow, it all depends on the mood.

Razors with a heavier grind is in general more forgiving to angle and such, this is probably why you feel it gives a less harsh shave :)

Im a fan of the mid sized razors 5/8, 6/8. Anything larger and i have a hard time shaving under the nose and getting in under the chin.
Grind doesnt matter to me.

5/8 and 6/8 for me. If I have the choice, I care about the straightness of the grind more than the grind profile itself as long as we're not getting into wedges. The weight of the razor makes a bigger difference to me than the particular grind. Obviously, thicker grinds a lot of time are more weight, but there are some thinly ground razors that have a lot of weight in the spine, too.

Nothing less than a 6/8. Larger is better. Grind doesn't matter.



Mick

It doesn't matter much when all you want is a clean shave.
That said, most of us develop a preference after a while. Me, i like 'em big and hollow:)

I enjoy the shaves I get from all of my razors regardless of the size or grind. With my large hands I find it easier to hone and shave with 5/8's and larger but when the 9/16's and 4/8's come into rotation I still get great shaves but I have to pay more attention to the angle. I wear glasses and shave w/o them so it's a bit more of an effort to keep the correct angle. I need to watch the angle of the scales to my face as it is a larger target to see than the small blade angle. Of all of my razors I have less 4/8's than other sizes by a large margin. The majority of my razors are hollow ground 5/8's because they are more prolific in the local shops. Finding a 5/8's or larger locally is always a treat and I have found a good number of them.

I prefer smaller blades, anything between 4/8 and 6/8. Bigger than that and it starts to feel cumbersome. I also strongly prefer full hollow grinds - wedges feel inflexible and cold on the skin.

"Right now" I am hooked on 6/8+ super/singing hollows. About the only blades I don't care much for are smaller than 5/8 or true wedges (from the honing aspect).

Ask me in a few months or next year and I'm sure the answer will differ...

Thanks Zephyr, I thought that was going on with the heavier grind bring more forgiving of angle used and therefore less harsh a shave. I still like a heavier razor so a hollow 6/8 with a heavier spine. like my new Revisor, works well too. The better you get a shaving the less size and weight seem to matter from what I have read so far. Yea, finding anything bigger than 5/8 locally is a challenge here too.

Bob

I am a 4/8 and under guy. Which works out, as they are cheap compared to anything larger. :)

Like most others - I didn't set out to like them small, it just sort of happened. I find them faster and easier to handle.

As for grind - I have them all but vastly prefer a extra hollow.

I am kind of jealous of those guys who whip through a collection of all sizes and grinds... Seems that would be fun!!

I'm kind of like Joed, I'm reminded of Will Rogers famous old saying, (link) he never met a man he didn't like and I never met a razor I didn't like. I do prefer 5/8 and up because I too have large hands/thick fingers. Twenty years of doing ironwork will do that. I like full hollows alright but prefer stiffer grinds if I have my druthers.

Bob, I'm w/ Joed and Jimmy - mostly for the same reasons. You mention likeing a razor w/ some heft. I think you'll find that preference stays with you for some time. A beefy shank for large hands is a natural, but heft in a spine moderates motion, not unlike target equipment (archery, air rifle) - the serious target gear is often heavier. It moderates any twitch or shake, keeping it in smooth motion, rather than more eradic. All my fav shavers are beefy, though I have a few light/small ones. I also found the length of the cutting edge matters. For me - 2.75" is about right. A little bit of smile to the edge seems helpful in the concave sections of the face.
If you have the opportunity - see if you can hook up w/ a member(s) that will let you try their gear. That way you can experience the difference in size/grind/steel/profile without going broke buying and selling them all. If you travels take you near the Portland, OR area - give me a hollar.

Pinklather

Know what you mean about a little extra weight steadies things down a bit if it is in the right place. Unfortunately I am about 400 miles from the nearest members so I'll just have to go broke, worse ways to go broke though. Fer sure if we ever get to the Portland area I'll give you a shout, thanks for the offer.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

I am a rookie shaver that started off with two smaller sized, 4/4 and 9/16, full hollow ground razors. Along the way I picked up a few more vintage 5/6 and 6/8 razors one of which one appears to be 1/4 hollow ground. I have found the larger sized ones to be easier to shave with but the 1/4 hollow being the easiest to use and giving the least harsh shave. Anyone else found the heavier grinds to be this way? I was looking at current manufactured blades and very few seem to be of a heavier grind.

Bob

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The only grind I'm not particularly fond of is the wedge because of the feel. In fact, if I were characterize what a shavette is like, it feels more like a wedge. I also like rounded edges because with sharp points I have a tendency to strike oil. Size-wise, the large ones are heavier in weight, have more force, and therefore do more of the work. Since I have pretty much mastered the straight razor, I enjoy the smaller ones (5/8) because they're lighter and more agile.

4/8 and under, earcutter, that's unique, surely? Size and grind certainly do matter to me; mainly because I want a range. I'm the sort of person who feels a seven day set, no matter how 'perfect' would be boring. I like how a full hollow sounds. I like a 4/8, but as I use the heel a lot for edges, I find me thumb gets in the way. I'm currently looking for a 6/8 or wider to fill that niche. I understand how one can get to want to stick with one type, but for me I do want a range. I also feel for me they have different strengths and weaknesses...

Being a rookie shaver another thing I think I am finding is that the Sheffield made razors don't seem to give as harsh a shave as the Solingen ones even if size and weight are the same. Think I'll wait on using the 4/8 ones till I have better technique and can hone a better edge and see if then I can get as decent a shave out of them. I see no other reasons why the smaller ones should not work as well too.

Bob

Bob,

As you can see from these posts, it's very much personal preference. I like 5/8th's and up. 6/8'th's being the sweet spot for me. The bigger heavy blades are fun to use as well. It's all good.

Harsh shaves has a lot to do with honing, Size and Grind, not so much IME, YMMV. Sheffield steel is legandary, and it's also hard as hell when it comes to honing IME. I swear I've had a few you'd think were diamond coated.

8/8 and bigger, and near wedge and wedgier

Had a wedgie once and it wasn't much fun ace.

Bob

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

4/8 and under, earcutter, that's unique, surely? I understand how one can get to want to stick with one type, but for me I do want a range. I also feel for me they have different strengths and weaknesses...

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:) That's about as polite a way of being called an odd-ball as I have ever heard, and yes... I have heard, and continue to hear it often LOL! (Assuming that's what you meant lol) But alas, it's how things fell into play for me.

Range is good - great in fact! For some. As so many find the little ones awkward, ie. you and your thumb, I find the the larger sizes cumbersome and slow. Which is kind of too bad in that I find larger blades way more aesthetically pleasing.

That said, I am new to it all, and though I have given the larger ones a go in the past - I will not rule them out in the future. I personally feel that a larger blade, is easier to use when someone begins this fine sport... of course there comes a point where we hit diminishing returns on both ends of the spectrum :) For example threading and axes lol!!

All said and done though, when it comes to people getting started - I am with carlmaloschneider. Range is good, and one of life's "spices." Give them all a go if you can!!

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Originally Posted by BobH

Had a wedgie once and it wasn't much fun ace.

Bob

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I beg to disagree! There is nothing quite like shaving under the nose and the "fools pass" with a heavy 11/8 blade. Those aren't really that hard to pull off, but they do require one's attention. Knowing each shave has the potential to be your last is fun in itself.

ace

Sorry about the misunderstanding. It was my weak attempt at humor. This is what I meant Urban Dictionary: wedgie . I am sure you are right about the big heavy 11/8 blade types though.

Bob

Well I am kind of with earcutter. I would be lost without my little 4/8. Although I always use 2 razors for a shave these days. I always had trouble with my right to left ATG stroke on the right side of my neck. (left side is fine)But I found that using a short 4/8 allows me to get the job done nicely in this area. Having said that, I use 5/8 or larger for all the rest.
I also find a 4/8 a little harder to strop and hone.

Oh i also use 4/8 for those nasty ear and nose hairs, (which remind me I am getting old.) although it is deliberately ground to a very narrow point at the toe to allow easier access.

Apparently you shouldnt even stick cotton buds in your ear, let alone razor sharp steel, but I have never had a problem with it.

I dont know if any of you have ever tried it. It works for me. I dont recommend it for "earcutter"though :)

I think it was JimmyHAD who posted something about "razor type to beard type" was very widely known when straights were popular..I have 1 hollow ground blade..its good and lightweight..easy to maneuver..but I also have a full wedge..VERY heavy and only the lightest touch to whack off whiskers is needed..both blades are 6/8 but my full wedge gets spots my hollow blade tends to miss..and both blades are very well honed and shave ready..YMMV

Like most of the guys....I'm a little fickle when it comes to size/grind...they're all good. If pressed i would go with a 7/8. Hollow to quarter hollow please.

6/8 to 9/8; 1/4 hollow or heavier grind preferred. I still enjoy several 5/8" (especially the vintage C-Mon). One is even a singing grind...

I have 5/8 to 7/8 razors all hollow ground. I have never tried a wedge. I like and use them all. The stiffer grinds are a little easier to use but full hollows are OK if very sharp. The 5/8 are nimble but require more attention to angle.

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Originally Posted by sheajohnw

I have 5/8 to 7/8 razors all hollow ground. I have never tried a wedge. I like and use them all. The stiffer grinds are a little easier to use but full hollows are OK if very sharp. The 5/8 are nimble but require more attention to angle.

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Just made a little peace with my 4/8 after this mornings shave. Your comment about full hollows needing to be very sharp is a telling comment. I spent some time yesterday refreshing the edge for the first time in 4 months. I was a little worried about my skill level with hones only having got them a week or so ago and did not want to mess up an otherwise good razor. The 4/8 was my first razor and I must have dulled it quickly. Anyway not the greatest edge but it gave a smooth comfortable close shave. So the smaller blades are now back on the list of users. Today's chore will be to hone the other small one to confirm that my problem with the small ones was dull edges. Still like the larger heavier blades slightly more though.

Bob

Refreshed the little SSA blade and it too shaves well now. Is true those little full hollow buggers needs to be sharp.

I like 6/8 that is a 1/4 or 1/2 grind but as has been stated variety is a good thing. I have and enjoy full hollows but my beard is really tough. If there is a lot of growth it is a PITA to us a full hollow. I can hear the edge literally catching on some hairs and the edge will deform and give me spots that are just short of razor burn. I also like the weight of a 1/4 hollow, just feels like I am holding a tool instead of a disposable. This topic is really a personal preference thing.


Take Care,
Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zephyr

Yes, size makes a matter to me, grind not so much.

I prefer razors 6/8 or larger, anything smaller than that I feel like I'm shaving with a toy :)

Some days I fancy a wedge, other a full or extra hollow, it all depends on the mood.

Razors with a heavier grind is in general more forgiving to angle and such, this is probably why you feel it gives a less harsh shave :)

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I second that I use 6/8 and 7/8 exclusively. Occasionally I have a old Dovo 5/8 that I shave with it really does feel like a toy. Also I think the wider blades lend themselves to more proper stropping and honing.

I started off with a full hollow 5/8 and it worked just fine. As I discovered my beard was quite thick/coarse, I went for a 6/8 and then decided a wedge or half wedge was good for me. Then, I discovered some 6/8 or 13/16 full hollow and found that these shaved just as well. I currently have three full hollows and one quarter grind razor which is superb on days I have a little extra growth. You can't beat a nice quality razor from the past days, as these take a superb edge better than anything made these days. So to me it doesn't matter on the grind.

+1 for 6/8 or 7/8. I use 1/4 grind. My beard is steel wire and the 1/4 grind cuts through it.

I love them all! All sizes, all grinds! :-)
Anything from 4/8 to 8/8 (17/16) is just fine to me, as well as wedge grind to extra grind. And that's for a reason: every size and every grind allows you different shaving techniques and different results.
Both size and grind contribute to the weight of the blade, therefore to the way you use it.

I have not tried nearly enough to know, but at this point I feel as though bigger is better.