Sureley the extra 2/8ths or so of steel on the blade doesn't make that much of a price difference but it seems that straights with big blades are so much more expensive than those without.
Why are wide straights so much more expensive?
- Thread starter johnmrson
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I don't know the real answer but if I had to guess I would say one reason is b/c there was not as many made. High demand, low supply.
They do work better! 
I have yet to try a bigger straight (although I may end up getting one from Luc) but there do seem to less of them in the antique shops I visit.
Are you trying to get one off my hands again?
I might have something else for you soon...
As far as vintage goes, up until recently thiose big meat choppers could be had for very little but I guess demand has pushed the prices up. As far as new ones go unless you go custom thare aren't many made.
My thought is that it is more difficult to forge those blades...
I'm going supply and demand also. Current production razors are pretty much impossible to get larger than 6/8 as far as I know and even then there are few of those.
Dovo doesn't make 7/8, but the difference between 5/8 and 6/8 is $5-$10. TI also charges $10 for going from 5/8 to 6/8 and $70 from 6/8 to 7/8.
The newly finished friodur blanks are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.
Mostly supply and as usual a lot of hype.
The newly finished friodur blanks are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.
Mostly supply and as usual a lot of hype.
I think it isn't problem to get 8/8. Revisor makes them and are available. Some of guys here have them.
I think that this is a good point. I met a fellow at the SRP get together in Birmingham UK who had a custom 8/8 made by Mastro Livi. At first Livi said he couldn't do it because the blanks he used didn't have enough metal. He eventually solved the problem by making the spine narrower than normal and providing a metal sleeve to slide over it to provide the correct angle for honing.
Rarity and age.
Most 8/8 razors tend to be oldish (125-150+yr old) Sheffields. So finding them in good condition is a bit uncommon.
Also novelty. The look good and people want to try big razors. While you might have a few thousand different models of 5/8" FH to pick from, theres a few dozen 8/8" FH at best.
Shaving? Other than the ability to need wiping a lot less and feeling different in your hand, I've not found any advantage over 5/8". I like having 6/8, 7/8 and 8/8 for a change, but they don't shave any better than my 5/8's do. I'd say 4/8 is a bit more hit and miss. I've had 4/8" I liked the shave of and ones I didn't. I tend to prefer a slightly thicker grind at 4/8" whereas I like hollow grinds best above that.
Most 8/8 razors tend to be oldish (125-150+yr old) Sheffields. So finding them in good condition is a bit uncommon.
Also novelty. The look good and people want to try big razors. While you might have a few thousand different models of 5/8" FH to pick from, theres a few dozen 8/8" FH at best.
Shaving? Other than the ability to need wiping a lot less and feeling different in your hand, I've not found any advantage over 5/8". I like having 6/8, 7/8 and 8/8 for a change, but they don't shave any better than my 5/8's do. I'd say 4/8 is a bit more hit and miss. I've had 4/8" I liked the shave of and ones I didn't. I tend to prefer a slightly thicker grind at 4/8" whereas I like hollow grinds best above that.
So does this mean that in reality there is no functional advantage in having a massive razor, and it's just supply and demand for something cool, old and rare that keeps prices up?
Regards Grant
Regards Grant
That's about it, IMO.
Mike
Edit: That said, I do generally prefer larger razors. Smaller ones can shave just as well, but I like the feel -- the heft and the intertia -- of larger blades. My favorite shaver happens to be a 7/8 Joseph Elliot.
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+1 To "Slice of Life" Even rarer is a big vintage german blade. I have one and its not going anywhere.
F. Herder 15/16 Spanish Point 1/4 Hollow
F. Herder 15/16 Spanish Point 1/4 Hollow
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