Thread: wedge and full hollow

Is there a difference in the way you shave using a wedge verses a hollow blade? I dont seem to get as close of a shave using a wedge. Am I doing something wrong? They both seem to be equally sharp and were honed by different people.

...or you are just one of the guys that prefers a full hollow.

Personally, I'd take a 1/4-wedge any day.

Some of it comes down to preference, and some of it comes down to nuances in technique. Don't get too discouraged -- it keeps the hobby new and interesting -- learning to accomplish another facet within it.

The heavier grinds can feel odd in use compared to a hollow razor; sometimes it feels like they're dragging or studdering. That's most likely a hint that you're missing the optimum angle.

I like the feel of a wedgie (that sounds so bad...) and can't wait to finish a big one I have in the box. While my main rotation is all hollow blades at the moment, I do love the shave from my other wedgie. The shave is very different in how you hold it. It took me a while to get the hold right, than it shaved just as well as my other blades.

the main thing that I am having a problem with is that it doesnt shave as close.

Originally Posted by woody743

the main thing that I am having a problem with is that it doesnt shave as close.

I don't have a wedge, but I do have a 1/4 hollow (as well as a full hollow and 1/2 hollow). My 1/4 hollow razor shaved best when I had a double-bevel set on it (it was, in fact, my best shaving razor). When I initially got it, it was honed with a single bevel, no tape. I'm experimenting now to figure out if it is really the double bevel, or just a steeper bevel (ie, single bevel but with 1 layer of tape) that made it shave so nice. I dinged the edge of it when I was honing the razor and chipped it, and sent it in to a honemeister to reset the edge, so now I have a new "blank slate".

-Chief

I am a newb but I seem to remember reading somewhere that all edges can be sharpened to .5 micron. However, the steel from Sheffield (I'm guessing thats where your wedge is from) is different from the steel from solingen and the US (taking a gander at the full hollows) so different steel could be one issue- one wore out faster, one works better with your beard, etc. There also seems to be a pattern of wedge working better on some beards, hollow on others, though I think its just a matter of technique. But the posts on the forum consistently seem to refer to wedges as for heavy beards that can plow through most of it easily, and hollows for giving you a blisteringly close shave. I could be way off the mark though.

Originally Posted by woody743

the main thing that I am having a problem with is that it doesnt shave as close.

I don't know how far up the learning curve you are, but it may be just be a learning curve on technique (angles, shaving direction, passes,stropping..etc.) Hopefully some wedge owners can chime in and help you out.

I look forward to adding a wedge to my rotation, but I don't think it will be much different from my 1/4 hollow.

Good Luck!

Pabster

If I'm not mistaken, the majority of wedges available are 1/4 hollow, very few are "true" wedges. If holli4pirating is on, hopefully he can add some light to this as he is a "wedge" guy who I've spoken with quite a bit.

Joe

Originally Posted by woody743

Is there a difference in the way you shave using a wedge verses a hollow blade? I dont seem to get as close of a shave using a wedge. Am I doing something wrong? They both seem to be equally sharp and were honed by different people.

Originally Posted by woody743

the main thing that I am having a problem with is that it doesnt shave as close.

I think the problem is that it's just not as easy as saying, "Do X,Y, and then Z to make a wedge razor work for you." Is there a difference in the way you shave with a wedge versus a hollow blade -- YES. If not, you'd be getting shaves as close as your hollow blade (and they are both of comparable sharpness).

Is there any more that you could elaborate on about why it's not getting as close. Does i pull more, simply glide over the stubble, more razor burn, etcetera? These clues may help forum members beter diagnose the issue, and give more refined feedback and assistance.