3/8... why isn't smaller better?

[GreekGuy]

The one nice thing about small blades is they are incredibly cheap. Most guys won't touch anything smaller than 5/8. Prices generally rise exponentially with size on vintage razors

[turtle]

I recognize that Geo

How is it getting along with your other razors?

i WANT that gotta...

It's a sweet one too....

[Pkrankow]

I rather like my 4/8 blades. I haven't tried smaller yet.

Phil

[Earcutter]

Dang Turtle, you got to throw that blade in my face every chance you get don’t you lol!! Love that short 6/8.

Anyway – 4/8’s. I have both larger and smaller blades, but have become a strictly 4/8 and under kind of guy. I absolutely love my “smaller blades.” That said; According to me - and only me lol : )

I really think it would be much easier to learn on something larger. Sure a 4/8 will get into tight spots more easily, but you HAVE to be acutely aware of the angle. It’s easier to keep an angle on a larger blade than it is to keep one on a smaller one. I remember the first time I shaved with a 3/8, I was shocked at how easy it was with the slightest movement of the hand to change the angle of attack as it were, from a 30 to a 90 lol. It was kind of spooky.

Now the other advantage a larger blade has over a small one is its weight. The extra “heft” of a larger blade is great in that there is very little guessing of pressure needed. One of my larger blades will just glide over my face on its weight alone. This has never been the case with my 4/8’s. They just weigh nothing, and I need to apply pressure if even slightly to produce some glide.

So with all that said, you might wonder why I shave with 4/8’s then. Well once you get to know them they just whip all over your face and like you guessed - get into all those tight areas with ease. It really is a personal choice but know that when you get a “smaller” blade down – boy are they a pleasure.

[Doc226]

How is it getting along with your other razors?

They are playing nice. My razors are very welcoming of new ones, I taught them well from the start.

[fccexpert]

At the risk of offending some: Because using a teenie-tiny razor makes you look like a sissy. Really, that's it, the shave quality is the same as long as the razor is sharp and you use the correct technique.

[global_dev]

someone needs to point out to me the tight spots that everyone keeps referring to? where are they? why would a 3/8s edge be any more easier to get into an area than a 6/8s or 8/8s... maybe my face does not have these deep hollows, but by no means is my face full on flat...

I am pretty nimble with a 8/8s and having held, honed and stropped camerafliers 3.5/8s i wasn't too intrigued to try it out..

i know Joel on occasion has chimed in for appreciation of the smaller blades for getting great shaves, but if i'll be surprised if the results i get from an 6/8-8/8 would be considered lesser.

[Pkrankow]

I cannot shave my neck with 6/8. My 5/8 give me trouble with my neck too. My 4/8 are BBS with minimal effort.

I am, well passively I guess, looking for a 3/8 blade and a 2/8 blade from a quality maker (at a low price). They exist, and were made in those sizes at one time.

Phil

[erudolph]

Is the problem too many nooks and crannies?

I cannot shave my neck with 6/8. My 5/8 give me trouble with my neck too...

Phil

[Earcutter]

At the risk of offending some: Because using a teenie-tiny razor makes you look like a sissy. Really, that's it, the shave quality is the same as long as the razor is sharp and you use the correct technique.

YOU CALLING ME A SISSY?? : )

I cannot shave my neck with 6/8. My 5/8 give me trouble with my neck too. My 4/8 are BBS with minimal effort.

I am, well passively I guess, looking for a 3/8 blade and a 2/8 blade from a quality maker (at a low price). They exist, and were made in those sizes at one time.

Phil

I am getting a 2/8 up and running - when I have it mastered I'll be glad to let you give it a go to see if you like it. Remind me in about a month.

[brother cavefish]

i am looking for a 3/8 lockwood bros SR, i had one in my hands for dirt cheap it was bent and i tried to straighten it , crap it broke

[Earcutter]

i am looking for a 3/8 lockwood bros SR, i had one in my hands for dirt cheap it was bent and i tried to straighten it , crap it broke

Oh man... :(

[Pkrankow]

Is the problem too many nooks and crannies?

I have a problem of my hair goes sideways away from my throat, and the angle is very funny. The hollow of my throat does not help with anything. I contort, skin stretch, etc, and find a smaller blade can do the job a whole lot easier.

I am getting a 2/8 up and running - when I have it mastered I'll be glad to let you give it a go to see if you like it. Remind me in about a month.

Very generous of you. I may try to remember this.

Phil

[cameraflier]

I am, well passively I guess, looking for a 3/8 blade and a 2/8 blade from a quality maker (at a low price). They exist, and were made in those sizes at one time.

Phil

did you see this one?
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...33-FS-3-Blades

[fccexpert]

YOU CALLING ME A SISSY?? : )

I am getting a 2/8 up and running - when I have it mastered I'll be glad to let you give it a go to see if you like it. Remind me in about a month.

No. I just meant that some here seem to think that you need to use a big blade to be a man. As I said, the shave quality is the same for any size razor.

[honed]

No. I just meant that some here seem to think that you need to use a big blade to be a man. As I said, the shave quality is the same for any size razor.

I've shaved with anything from a Heljestrand 3/8 to a CCK 32/8 Chinese cleaver & in the end it's the edge that matters.
A 3/8 is certainly capable of shaving you just as good as any other good quality/well-honed razor.

The only real drawback is as mentioned that they only hold a few passes of lather at the time.
Also, they need some more concentration when honing & stropping, below 4/8, at least for me, it becomes easier to loose the right angle.

But as far as shaves go, they are just as good.
And you can pick a pristine vintage one up on the bay for less then $50

[noahpictures]

My first 3/8 is Wheat Sheaf wedge with pressed horn scales. I can't wait to hone and shave with.