wedge for newby

is there any reason for a newby not to start out with a wedge?
also, are they much more difficult to hone?

thanks

There's more metal to take off yes. I'd think a wedge would be a good place to start. From the advice I was given on mine(check out my thread on Wedge vs. Hollow), it seems wedges are a bit more forgiving and go through thicker hair better. They may be a bit harder to find at a low price, but that all has to do with luck and timing really.

I think someone starting out should pick kind of a middle of the road razor like a 5/8s or 6/8s in a hollow or part hollow size and then you can go larger or smaller to a full or double hollow or back to a wedge. Of course you can start anywhere you want but a wedge is not an easy razor for a rookie to hone and they are usually big and heavy unless you buy a double duck satin wedge. Large razors can be a bit more difficult to maneuver around your face. Once you are experienced you quickly adapt to anything but for starting out I would say start with some thing more conservative.

I got mine for $5 on ebay, and it's the best deal I've gotten.
I like thick metal. While the hollow grounds' mini-'plinks' sound cool and feel gratifying in the feedback of the shave, there's something quite awesome about a smooth silent sweep that feels like you just effortlessly squeegeed loose hair from off your face.

To me, easy to hone, I just keep it at a 45 degreee angle (blade flat, but turned 45 degrees, that is) and it's easy as any grind.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think someone starting out should pick kind of a middle of the road razor like a 5/8s or 6/8s in a hollow or part hollow size and then you can go larger or smaller to a full or double hollow or back to a wedge. Of course you can start anywhere you want but a wedge is not an easy razor for a rookie to hone and they are usually big and heavy unless you buy a double duck satin wedge. Large razors can be a bit more difficult to maneuver around your face. Once you are experienced you quickly adapt to anything but for starting out I would say start with some thing more conservative.

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+1, I honed 6 big, heavy and very old wedges last week. They can make you start talking to yourself before they come out right. I do not recommend starting out with a lip loper. The conservative route will give you a better chance starting out.

thanks all for the feedback. i just purchase my first razor today, a 5/8 hollow ground boker. when i get some more cash though, i think i may try to invest in a smallish wedge. does anyone have experiences with small wedges, or is the idea behind a wedge to be big and heavy?

also, do you hone wedges differently than hollow grounds? is there already a thread on this?

thanks again

The only small wedge I'm familiar with is the DD Satin Wedge which is small and light but shaves like any other wedge but without the huge size and weight which is what many will tell you is what makes a wedge but the DD proves that wrong.

technique wise you usually hone at a 45 degree angle but its a real investment in time because you have to remove alot of metal. The DD is an exception because of its small size. I think there have been quite a few posts on this subject. Check in the razor forum and hone forum.

I'm a fan of the smaller wedges ... 5/8 and smaller DD, bowdin, red imps... they mow through the beard just like the big ones without the huge mass of metal...

I have a couple of 5/8 wedges on my bench right now for restore. They will do the job and they handle nicely.