3/4 inch. 7/8 inch wide razors
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Ehh, I don't think they really go for that much more... but there are caveats, at least with vintage razors (you did mention auctions, assuming vintage isn't a stretch). Sometimes the wider razors do seem to go for more, but it's not even the width per se. For example, the classic W&B 7/8 "chopper" with it's smiley swept apex and spine in good shape will often command a premium over the later W&B "arrow" razors. The earlier razors are older (thus more valuable), some of the oldest specimens predated plastic scale materials (horn, shell, ivory, and bone scales are more valuable), and the overall appearance is more iconic. Width is part of the appearance, so I do think it matters.
On the other hand, take a 3/4" Genco blade in good shape from the early 1900's. It will have a tough time selling for even in the same ballpark as a 5/8" Klaus Tornblom (or probably any Swedish razor) of the same era. 5/8" French razors will often command a premium over the Sheffield razors, even the heavy bladed "choppers," with period and condition being similar. Why? Were the French or Swedish razors that much better? No... I would argue the French razors were no better than Sheffields and the Swedish razors could be, but were not always. No, these razors command a premium because of supply side economics. Sheffield cranked out cutlery back in those days. The French and the Swedes could make razors and knives of great quality, but they simply could not match the output of Sheffield. More razors made in 1890 = more specimens available today in decent shape = greater supply = generally lower prices.
So... higher blade width =/= higher price. There are a lot of other factors at play, at least with vintage razors (which is more of what I know about).
On the other hand, take a 3/4" Genco blade in good shape from the early 1900's. It will have a tough time selling for even in the same ballpark as a 5/8" Klaus Tornblom (or probably any Swedish razor) of the same era. 5/8" French razors will often command a premium over the Sheffield razors, even the heavy bladed "choppers," with period and condition being similar. Why? Were the French or Swedish razors that much better? No... I would argue the French razors were no better than Sheffields and the Swedish razors could be, but were not always. No, these razors command a premium because of supply side economics. Sheffield cranked out cutlery back in those days. The French and the Swedes could make razors and knives of great quality, but they simply could not match the output of Sheffield. More razors made in 1890 = more specimens available today in decent shape = greater supply = generally lower prices.
So... higher blade width =/= higher price. There are a lot of other factors at play, at least with vintage razors (which is more of what I know about).
FWIW, though, I have a 7/8" Wostenholm "Pipe" razor that is a "Chopper" that provides phenomenal shaves. The scales are pressed horn, it's heavy, and I like it A LOT! So I do have an affinity for the larger razors. I generally favor it over my more "dainty" razors. Of course I'm 6'4"... so that may be why.
A lot goes into pricing a razor but keeping all things even. A fili 14 will be more expensive than a 13 in the same condition and model. MK31 Helje is cheaper than a 32 and that one is cheaper than a 33. Seems people prefer larger razors and are willing to pay for them.
Some of those 5/8s you are looking at started their lives as 7-8/8s. Scarcity is also a contributor.
There are a few small practical differences in the shave between 5/8 and 7/8+ which can shape preferences, but I think most of it is simply that big blades are impressive looking, heavier in the hand, and more photogenic. They feel and seem more substantial, they have more presence, thus people are willing to pay more.
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Thanks for the specifics taking the time to help, and I appreciate all the replies. There is a lot to learn. I am new to honing and have finally been able to get a decent shave from a few junk razors I picked up. I have been working with rusted metal knives and scissors since I was a kid. My new hobby is straight razors. I still have a lot to learn. Thanks again
If you look at old catalogs and price lists, the larger blades were generally more expensive when new, too. This is true for currently manufactured razors too. More material = higher price. And a 7/8 blank has a lot more steel than a 5/8 blank.
Comparing razors from different areas and eras is more complicated. Size preferences varied a geographically. The Swedish domestic market preferred 4/8-5/8 razors; the Spanish market preferred 7/8 and 6/8. Big Spanish razors command a high price today for a lot of reasons but from a supply perspective they're not at all rare. Whereas a 7/8 Swedish razor is a rare thing indeed; they just didn't make a lot of them.
For an opposite example, a 6/8 first generation Filarmonica Especial 13 is much rarer than the larger 14. Would the smaller razor go for more money today? Hard to say.
But most of the time, if you're comparing apples to apples, a bigger razor will be valued higher than a smaller razor.
Comparing razors from different areas and eras is more complicated. Size preferences varied a geographically. The Swedish domestic market preferred 4/8-5/8 razors; the Spanish market preferred 7/8 and 6/8. Big Spanish razors command a high price today for a lot of reasons but from a supply perspective they're not at all rare. Whereas a 7/8 Swedish razor is a rare thing indeed; they just didn't make a lot of them.
For an opposite example, a 6/8 first generation Filarmonica Especial 13 is much rarer than the larger 14. Would the smaller razor go for more money today? Hard to say.
But most of the time, if you're comparing apples to apples, a bigger razor will be valued higher than a smaller razor.
I find my larger razors shave with more ease. Seems like the greater mass requires less pressure on my part. I would expect that new razors would cost marginally more for the extra steel. But I can't explain why some of those large Wade & Butcher choppers go for $500. Maybe it is because they are rare? And yet I see so many of them for sale - go figure.
Back in the old days, there were far fewer 8/8 razors made than 5/8" razors. Excluding current production, it is very difficult to find an 8/8 Boker, for example. So an 8/8 Boker from the 40s will usually sell for more than a 5/8 from the same time frame.
Over time, a wider blade might, theoretically, have a longer life-span just because there is more meat on the blade to work with. I don't think most guys on forums are wearing out their 6/8 blades though. A pro barber might see it differently.
The term Chopper became popular for the 8/8 blades way back when, and a lot of guys thought having a "Chopper" was a cool thing, so that fueled a lot of the attention to the bigger blades.
Then there is internet hype - Fils for example. Once they became a 'thing' the prices went off the rails. They were once fairly common in certain areas because no one cared. Then boom - instant 'gotta have it'. A #13 may sell for markedly less than a #14 even though they may be nearly the same size out of the box. A NOS #13 can be wider than a used #14 even though they will both shave the same.
8/8 FBU blades, like the Celebrated W&B sort, they were nearly always a hot ticket, rarity, brand recognition, internet myth, etc. The "For Barbers Only" mark is attractive to collectors because there were fewer of them. A lot of people have suggested that they had different steel and different HT&T but that has never been proven.
Once SOTD photos became a hobby, the larger blades really became the big deal. They look so impressive and anyone addicted to 'likes' wanted a big blade in their edits to impress the locals.
Typically, what drives prices is a melange of terms though. Condition being a main one. Rarity matters too, and most 7/8+ blades are less common than 5/8-6/8. Scale type and material can drive prices big time. Brand recognition is another factor.
My own preference for wider blades has to do with balance/heft and the visual... the form factor of a wider blade is more visually appealing to me. Not 100% of the time, just most of the time. I think 5/8 blades look anemic most of the time but not all of the time. Shapes, lines, grinds, contours, etc... it all adds into the mix of what is or is not attractive and that is important to me. Life is too short to be using a razor I don't like the looks of. I tend to look for blades 8/8 and a bit under.
A lot of the modern 'custom' stuff that is huge, over 8/8 - to me a lot of it looks unbalanced and therefore unappealing. The big wide scales with the banana shape are a distraction to me. So even though those razors sell for big $$, I am inclined to go a different direction.
The moral of the story is - don't sweat what others use or spend $$ on or worry about a razor you like being less valuable than someone else's. Just buy what you like and be happy.
Over time, a wider blade might, theoretically, have a longer life-span just because there is more meat on the blade to work with. I don't think most guys on forums are wearing out their 6/8 blades though. A pro barber might see it differently.
The term Chopper became popular for the 8/8 blades way back when, and a lot of guys thought having a "Chopper" was a cool thing, so that fueled a lot of the attention to the bigger blades.
Then there is internet hype - Fils for example. Once they became a 'thing' the prices went off the rails. They were once fairly common in certain areas because no one cared. Then boom - instant 'gotta have it'. A #13 may sell for markedly less than a #14 even though they may be nearly the same size out of the box. A NOS #13 can be wider than a used #14 even though they will both shave the same.
8/8 FBU blades, like the Celebrated W&B sort, they were nearly always a hot ticket, rarity, brand recognition, internet myth, etc. The "For Barbers Only" mark is attractive to collectors because there were fewer of them. A lot of people have suggested that they had different steel and different HT&T but that has never been proven.
Once SOTD photos became a hobby, the larger blades really became the big deal. They look so impressive and anyone addicted to 'likes' wanted a big blade in their edits to impress the locals.
Typically, what drives prices is a melange of terms though. Condition being a main one. Rarity matters too, and most 7/8+ blades are less common than 5/8-6/8. Scale type and material can drive prices big time. Brand recognition is another factor.
My own preference for wider blades has to do with balance/heft and the visual... the form factor of a wider blade is more visually appealing to me. Not 100% of the time, just most of the time. I think 5/8 blades look anemic most of the time but not all of the time. Shapes, lines, grinds, contours, etc... it all adds into the mix of what is or is not attractive and that is important to me. Life is too short to be using a razor I don't like the looks of. I tend to look for blades 8/8 and a bit under.
A lot of the modern 'custom' stuff that is huge, over 8/8 - to me a lot of it looks unbalanced and therefore unappealing. The big wide scales with the banana shape are a distraction to me. So even though those razors sell for big $$, I am inclined to go a different direction.
The moral of the story is - don't sweat what others use or spend $$ on or worry about a razor you like being less valuable than someone else's. Just buy what you like and be happy.
