Thread: 4/8 vs 5/8 or 7/8 razor ?

..... I was thinking for this 4/8 blade,

Straight Razor From Thiers-Issard France "Le Petite Francaise" 4/8" - Knifecenter.com

Will it be easier to shave around the mouth ? Or should I get the

Thiers-Issard Straight Razor"Special Coiffeur" 6/8" 1/2 Hollowed Bld - Knifecenter.com

Listen to gssixgun, go for the second option.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

My recommendation for a first blade is always the exact same and I have reasons... ----8<----

Added to the FAQ.

Yep, for a first razor a 6/8s hollow is the best of all worlds with a 5/8s a close runnerup.

Once you get some experience its all personal preference.

Thank you guys for your posts. I will buy the 6/8 blade.

What hones and strops do you recommend for best performance?

Like 4k, 8k and 12k stone - what brand? Strop paste?

Originally Posted by verdel

What hones and strops do you recommend for best performance?

Like 4k, 8k and 12k stone - what brand? Strop paste?

Like shaving, honing has a lot do with personal preference: "Some people get different results with the same hone. Likewise a Norton 4k/8k vs. a DMT D8EE will get you to the same relative place; but most folks will have a distinct preference using one or the other. The point to be kept in mind is that one of those hones will likely fit a person's individual honing style in a way that simply gives them better results." You might find What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki useful (this article is in need of maintenance, by the way, so if any of the experienced honers would like to add to it, please do).

Welcome , I too am a newbie so I'm unsure what my preference is yet.

Originally Posted by verdel

Thank you guys for your posts. I will buy the 6/8 blade.

What hones and strops do you recommend for best performance?

Like 4k, 8k and 12k stone - what brand? Strop paste?

Strop wise pick your budget... Under or over $50
DO NOT buy a strop off e-bay PLEASE most are crap....
Under $50 get the Illinois #827 (there are others out their too, I just haven't personally used them and many don't have linen) For over $50 look at the SRD Premiums and the Heirloom strops....

Hone-wise I would not touch one for at least 3 months, get an idea of what straight shaving is all about, at the 3 month period you are going to need a touch up, buy your second razor shave ready again... Now you have a new bench mark, and it is time for you to touch up your first razor this should be rather easy since it has a bevel in place and you just need to re-touch the edge.... That is when you should be asking about hones, and you might already have started shopping more razors which would tell you what hone setup you are going to need...

All of Glen's advice is great. Heed it well.

Most of my razors are 5/8, but I have one 4/8 and one 7/8. All are hollow ground. Personally, I don't find much difference between the different sizes, but maybe others will. The 4/8 is probably a little easier to handle so it would possibly be a better beginners blade.