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

Hi everyone ! This my first post. I've been shaving with Open Comb DOVO DE razor for 7 years. Recently I purchased a DOVO straight razor 5/8 half hollow, survaived my first shaving with a few nicks The difficult part was the mustache area.

I'm just wondering what are the pros and cons of 4/8 razor vs 7/8 or Half Hollow vs Extra Hollow ?

Well the size for one. Beyond that you'll probably get different answers from different people.

Welcome
Personal preferences.
Some people loves 8/8 some 5/8 most used.
I remember i had old blade was huge one i was barely keeping on my hands very heavy blade. Someone bought it and i got email from him .he said he loves? hmmmmmmmm seems like axes darn. But he loved. this is just example

It seems that some people favor smaller blades for detail work, but like the others have said it's mostly personal preference.

I have used 4/8, 5/8, and 6/8 and everything from full hollow to quarter hollow.

One thing I will say is that I prefer my quarter hollow for its ability to plow through my coarse beard. General consensus seems to be that the stiffer grinds don't flex as much and are better for a coarse beard. With proper technique though, I'm sure you can shave with anything.

Keep in mind that I'm a n00b too, I just managed to snatch several very different razors from an antique store to go with my new Dovos.

I like my full hollows ok, but I like my quarter hollow better.

I haven't used any of the big 7/8 or 8/8 razors, but have heard that some of them can be heavy enough that just the weight of the blade causes too much pressure. Doesn't stop me from wanting to get a meat chopper.

Welcome to SRP.

Blade size is mostly personal preference. A large blade can hold more lather so needs to be cleaned off less often. But it can also block your view sometimes. Neither is a big deal.

Full hollows sound great, you can hear every hair being chopped. But they also need a bit more skill to get the best out of them.

Everyone seems to be giving good info so all i'l do is say WELCOME

Welcome to SRP. Check out the SRP Wiki here for tutorials on shaving, stropping and honing. Also a killer razor data base with great photos. IMO a 5/8 is a nice size particularly for starting out. If your working around a beard a 4/8 is handy but a 5 would be preffered if your shaving your whole face.

I like everything from 5/8 to 8/8. The larger blades are like driving a truck and the smaller ones like a sports car. Once you become proficient in straight razor shaving you can try different sizes and grinds and decide what you like. Other than that it is strictly each individuals personal preference.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I like everything from 5/8 to 8/8. The larger blades are like driving a truck and the smaller ones like a sports car. Once you become proficient in straight razor shaving you can try different sizes and grinds and decide what you like. Other than that it is strictly each individuals personal preference.

Well said. I'm just gonna throw out there that my first blade was a 4/8's and you can definitely still shave with it. However, I'm moving on, but I'll still keep it as a trimmer.Definitely easier to do details stuff with a smaller blade.

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

Size 6/8 = Easier to keep flat on the strop for a newb (very, very important), dead center on the size chart so you can decide which direction to go on your second razor.. has some heft for those less than confident first strokes, and still easy to handle....

Grind Half hollow = Again dead center on the chart so you can decide which direction to go after your first razor... Heft for newb shaving yet has some flex for comfort....


Round point = Hey it is a little safer anyway not a lot but every little bit helps at first...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

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

Size 6/8 = Easier to keep flat on the strop for a newb (very, very important), dead center on the size chart so you can decide which direction to go on your second razor.. has some heft for those less than confident first strokes, and still easy to handle....

Grind Half hollow = Again dead center on the chart so you can decide which direction to go after your first razor... Heft for newb shaving yet has some flex for comfort....


Round point = Hey it is a little safer anyway not a lot but every little bit helps at first...

+1 on this one.

Regarding the grind, when I started I was a little worried about this, as I thought I'd want "one" razor. My first razor was full hollow, my second was 1/4 hollow, and my latest is 1/2 hollow-- turns out I like them all, they all feel different when I shave with them and the contrast is nice.

So I'd say start with a full hollow (seems to be the most common), and plan on a "contrasting" razor for #2.

-Chief