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What Are The Differences in Straight Razors?-West Coast Shaving
September 5, 2023 West Coast Shaving

What Are The Differences in Straight Razors?

Let’s talk about differences in straight razors and what might be a good straight razor for you. If you are just starting out on this journey to straight razor shaving, it is important to consider 3 major factors when choosing a razor.

  • Vintage vs. New Straight Razors

When you are looking at shelling out upwards of $100 for a straight razor, a used option starts to look pretty attractive. And it can be a wonderful choice as these instruments are made to last. Finding a good restored straight razor is a great entry point. However, you might also need to ask yourself: how squeamish are you about using something potentially used by three generations before you? Some people might have a problem with its “shared” nature. (Even though vintage straight razors can be thoroughly disinfected & sanitized, you do risk some loss to etchings, gold leaf, etc.) 

Do you want to feel the history across your face? Others might love the nostalgia and opportunity to feel a part of something bigger than themselves.

A new straight razor comes with a new razor price tag, which can be intimidating for those just starting out. Also, be aware that a new straight razor might need some additional steps before it is ready to meet your face. A “factory edge” is usually not “shave ready”. You will likely need to send it out for honing. (West Coast Shaving offers most of our new straight razors honed or unhoned -- depending on whether you want a shave-ready edge or the DIY option.) It isn’t recommended that you tackle honing at the same time as trying to learn the techniques of straight razor shaving if you are starting with no experience. Give yourself a break and get it honed by a professional as you get started.

  • Size of the Straight Razor

The size of the blade (i.e. 5/8th, 6/8th, 7/8th inch) is measuring the width of the blade. The most common blade is 5/8th inch. There is a reason for that. It is a comfortable razor to hold, it’s not very heavy, and it is easy to move around the face. That being said, it is a personal preference, just like for DE users. Many wet shavers like heavier razors made out of stainless steel or other materials, and they may be more likely to choose a large size straight razor with more bulk. 

A heavier straight razor isn’t sharper; it just feels different to hold and maneuver. If the grind is the same on both razors, the larger size razor will actually be more flexible (a smaller straight razor stays stiffer). You can feel that difference on your face as you shave. Ideally, you would be able to try out some different razors to get a feel for the weight, maneuverability, comfort, but for most beginners 5/8th inch is a great place to start.

  • Grind of the Straight Razor Blade

The grind is the hollowness of the blade (seen in the cross section of the blade showing how concave the metal is as it tapers to the shaving edge). The more hollow the grind the more dramatic the curve and thinner the blade. 

It takes much more time, skill, and talent to get a straight razor blade to the full or extra hollow state and only the most skilled manufacturing shops in the world are able to do it well. With the resurgence of interest in “cut-throat” shaving, skilled workers/training has not kept pace with the demand for orders. It is often a difficult task to find and keep a top-of-the-line source of straight razors. This also translates into a higher price tag.

The more hollow the grind the lighter it is to hold and easier it is to maintain a sharp edge. 

A really heavy beard might require a wedge, which has more metal and is heavier. It will give less flex, but more momentum. Full hollow might be harder to grind but it is easier to hone. Hollow is more nimble. They are sometimes called “singing” razors because you can actually get audible feedback as you shave.

Quick Recap:

If you are just beginning, the recommendation would be a 5/8th”, full hollow straight razor. 

  • 5/8th” is extremely common, comfortable, and maneuverable
  • Full hollow is lightweight, flexible, and easy to hone

What about you? What was your first straight? What do love about straight razor shaving? Let us know in the comments below.

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Comments

Marco - July 10, 2020

I have read very well your article. And I’m completely not agree what the suggest you give about the choose for the first straight razor for these reason that everyone don’t consider!
1- The ideal with is 8/8 and not 5/8 for the this reason: a larger surface allows us a deeper, a faster ( more blade on the skin) and more precise cut due to the fact that the blade has a greater cutting power and the greater weight above all does not force us to apply pressure! all this translates into less danger, in addition to extending the razor’s life as a result of numerous sharpening
2- A full hollow is not indicated for a start and also for a sesonead in general because we need shap cut not a Knife . More hollow means more sharper and more difficult to control the “pressure” the blad will do on the skin. So in general 1/4 is the perfect size!!! Extra hollow is to avoid in all sense
3- A 5/8 is in general a razor for advancend persons because you have to do a perfect honing, that requires great tecnique ( more “pressure” on the blade ! ) and almost of all the best wetstone in various degree( 1000,3000,10000,,20.000). It is a cost very high that a beginner can’t do for lack of informations and experience! A top wetstone costs 270,00€ and also more!!! Other stone will not have the same effect. We need a top sharpned because we don’t want to cut the skin!
4- A economic or standard razor requires perfect sharpening and will mantein the sharpness for a little time! Cutting less will invite us to put pressure on the skin! So it will be dangerous and we will always have a mediocre beard without that sharpness. That’s the reason people prefer the non straight razor! that give mediocre beard but with zero risks about cuts!!!!

Conclusion: manufactory do mediocre products to really high prices considering their low qualitiy because they know the costs and the lack of experience for a real straight razor would be inacessible for the large part of people! There is no on manufactury proposing top straight razor!! Look at this fact! You have to go for small artisanal factory! And also here it’s very difficult find something good! Go for the web and you will read a lot of consumer with a razor just for collecting but they they can’t shave properly for lack of sharpness of these razors of very low quality ( no sharpness, too small, no instruction about use or honing and so on!!!!) Searching for a top razor is almost a mission impossible! Best regards

myk - December 2, 2019

I’ve been using a Shavette type razor for the last seven years, never thought I wanted to mess with stropping and sharping of a traditional straight razor. Wow I was missing out of the feel and the sound of my new half hollow straight razor, it came shave ready and with a good stropping, shaves perfect. Because of the sharpness of Shavette their was zero learning curve to transitioning to the straight razor other than the fact it is not as sharp and the blade is quite a bit longer. I bought a DE2 and learned how to pull my skin on my face and transitioned to the Shavette after two months later. The only part of straight shaving I would suggest to new shavers is to pactice using both hands with the double edge and pulling your face skin then you’ll be able to get the concept of using a straight razor.

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