something i noticed

[gunmonkey]

Tell me if you all think i am crazy but i think my razor with a wider blade (from spine to cutting edge ) gives me a much more comfortable shave and it requires less passes to get a shiny smooth shave. I noticed when i used the 50 year old Tanifuji Cape 1000 that my father in law sent me from japan. I have several razors including a Dovo 98 stainless that are high dollar razors but they are all 5/8 and this one is both wider and the spine is much much thicker. i have been shaving with a straight razor on and off for the last 20+ years and this is the first time i can honestly say that i thought that it was the design of the [razor that was making the difference in the comfort of the shave not the soap or how long it had been since i had laid it on a hone to touch it up. Am I out of my mind or have i just found that i need to sell all of my razors and go with larger ones
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[Legion]

It could be the larger razor. Different people prefer different sizes.

It could also be the steel, honing, or several other factors...

[Kentos]

Is this the first time in 20 years you went with something bigger than 5/8th? For some bigger is better, to the point someone here has a 9/8th behemoth scraping away their chin hairs. I also seem to get better shaves with heavier
spined, wider blades...however I lack your experience.

[Seraphim]

Perhaps it's the size.

Perhaps it's the fine Japanese craftsmanship.

Bottom line:


You need to buy more razors!!!!!

[Woodash]

Given the same grind, I'd say that the larger blade gives more flex. That may be it.

[gunmonkey]

Is this the first time in 20 years you went with something bigger than 5/8th? For some bigger is better, to the point someone here has a 9/8th behemoth scraping away their chin hairs. I also seem to get better shaves with heavier
spined, wider blades...however I lack your experience.

Yea this is the first larger blade i have used i always figured the larger blades were harder to manipulate ... now i have my wife spending her last few days in japan scouring the shops near her parents house looking for another one just like it so she can bring it back to me. one of the guys on here had 4 of them he was selling but i missed out. i have looked all over the net and i cannot find another one anywhere

[gunmonkey]

Given the same grind, I'd say that the larger blade gives more flex. That may be it.

that is exactly what my Father said... plus the finish on the blade is a mirror polish so there are no grind marks left on the blade to give it a "wavy edge"

[Luc]

I find a bigger blade easier to use myself but in the end, with proper technique, you should get as good shaves using either!

[sanfranciscian]

I certainly have nowhere near the experience you have and my only foray into the 5/8 class blade was when i was starting out but at that time i found the 6/8 and larger were my only option. I think a lot of it has to do with the big meatier shank that i prefer in my hands. I just recently picked up a 15/16 razor and I am quite smitten. I really owe it to myself to revisit the 5/8 size now that my skill set has become solid. though i will find it hard, but not impossible to keep an open mind.

Ian

[kfralin]

I don't find there is anything inherently superior to a larger blade, although I do tend to prefer them myself. The bottom line is if it is properly honed and stropped, it should shave well. That being said, the quality and craftsmanship of that Cape is exceptional and as such it should be a great shaver!