Thread: W. Taylor 7/8 thanks to SRP

A while back I asked if a 7/8 was significantly better than a 13/16. 13/16 was the largest blade I had tried and was wondering if the extra 1/16 was worth the premium they seemed to bring. Like most things related to wet shaving, the consensus was basically that it depended on what you like. Kinda thought that would be the answer but, worth an ask.

A short while later SRP member Boushie messaged me about a 7/8 he was going to get shave ready for the BST and was wondering if I'd be interested in first dibs. Well, I'd been thinking of sending one of my blades out for honing to see how my skills compared (I've found my edges acceptable, but thought they could be better). Now I was being offered a shave ready 7/8, for oh...1/2 second...Yeah I was interested.

Another short while later he sent me a few pics. A W. Taylor Corporate mark 7/8 near wedge with a smiling toe and just the right amount of patina stared at me from the screen. I couldn't reply fast enough.

Wound up with four days off this Memorial weekend (a sincere thanks to all who have and are serving ). So, after a late sleep and a breakfast of smoked pork shoulder hash-browns it was time to get rid of four days growth. Oh my...(imagine George Takei's voice)...what a shave. Tried a couple of XTG passes on my cheeks and wow, haven't been comfortable with that pass, but this was just inspiring. Almost tried an ATG pass, but decided not to press my luck (my skill, not the blade). What a start to the day!

So does 1/16 of an inch make difference? Yes, but IMO not much. Does my honing need improvement? Yep.

Thanks to Boushie for the chance to get a great shaver, really appreciate it. Enough of my rambling, here's some pics.

Very nice. I really like the border on the tang stamp.