I am sure that I am a beginner and am trying to follow the path of least resistance in learning the sr technique. I read on a blog that wedges were probably the best type of razor for a beginner to learn with. OK, I'm game, Why?
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I am sure that I am a beginner and am trying to follow the path of least resistance in learning the sr technique. I read on a blog that wedges were probably the best type of razor for a beginner to learn with. OK, I'm game, Why?
Wedges suck
They're not, any well honed razor of good make is fine to learn with. I have razors from wedge up to full hollow and they all shave just as well as each other.
The best thing to do is get a reasonably priced and well made razor which comes already shaving sharp and learn to use that. The pre-shave prep and stropping will also make much more of a difference to the shave than the grind of the razor will.
Hope thats of some help!
you'll have to ask the author of the blog why he or she wrote thatQuote:
Originally Posted by jebib3
I enjoy shaving with wedge razors so much that I bought several of them. But honing them is often more of a hassle than honing other kinds of razors. especially if sharpening it from a very dull condition
Wedges or wedgies ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Slartibartfast
Different people have different opinions about what type of razor is best for a beginner. When you read that blog, you got the author's opinion. Each person who posts here will share his or her own opinion. But they are all opinions; there is no correct answer. Here is my own opinion:
Which razor would make a good starter razor?
Width – In my opinion, the easiest widths to shave with are 5/8, 11/16, 6/8, and 13/16. There are a few reasons these sizes are optimal. These sizes are wide enough to allow you to easily see the angle of the blade to your face, and maintaining a proper shaving angle is essential. These sizes are easy to maneuver around your face and reach all areas you will want to shave. These sizes are very common; the rules of supply and demand therefore dictate that razors in this size range will be affordable.
Point – The easiest types of points to start with are the “rounded” ones. These include round points, muted square points, rounded or muted oblique points, muted barber’s notches, etc. The reason these points are easier to start with is that the rounding helps reduce the chances you will cut yourself with the point. You certainly can start with a square or spike point, but you’ll have to be more careful of where the point of the razor is.
Grind – As I see it, there are two schools of thought when it comes to grind
-Tough Love: This would be starting wit a full hollow razor. A full hollow grind will flex while you are shaving; this makes it less forgiving of a poor shaving technique. As a result, if your technique is poor your shaves will be poor too. This will force you to improve your technique rapidly, or else you will suffer poor shaves. The downside is that your shaves will probably be poor to start.
-Coddling: This would be starting with a half hollow or “heavier” razor. The heavy grinds do not flex while you are shaving. They also have a greater inertia, so they feel like they “plow through” stubble. As a result, it is easier to get a good shave from a heavy grind, even if your technique is not great. The potential downside, however, is that you will not be forced to improve your shave technique, so your development may stagnate.
Steel – I really don’t think the type of steel matters, so long as you choose a quality razor.
Wedges are cool
There's lots of coverage of the issue w/ new shavers. I did my share. The consensus seems to be that any quality blade w/ a quality edge will do the job well. I think that's completely true. That doesn't mean they're equally easy to learn with. Some have no trouble w/ a flexible full hollow, others need the confidence/friendliness of the heavy grind. The heavy grind can be more tolerant of errors in technique, and they tolerate the use of pressure more than the flexible hollow. That doesn't mean pressure is a good habit. It's usually self-correcting from the resulting razor rash.
If you start w/ a full hollow and find it tough going - you can either keep going, knowing your technique will improve (it will). Or you can get a 2nd razor (don't sell the first) and try a heavy grind. Sometimes the stability and friendliness of the heavy grind will give the confidence to try stretches and strokes that would be intimidating while you're learning. After a bit of practice, you'll find you can do the same stretches and strokes with the full hollow. Now you can enjoy either, and you'll find the heavy grind works just as well, using the appropriate (lack of) pressure.
Stubear said prep & stropping will make a bigger difference than grind, and I don't disagree. I would also ad that an edge optimized for smoothness - rather than ultimate sharp/keenness will also make a bigger difference.
You aren't going to make a wrong choice - 'cause you'll eventually learn to use light or heavy grinds. You''ve also found the best place on the planet to ask these kinds of questions. The experienced guys were extremely kind to me - with all my uninformed questions. Keep them coming, and have a great time as you start down the path. They'll be the best shaves of your life.
from where did you read That?
go with 5/8 or 6/8 hollow ground blade. and good luck
One aspect of the history of straight razors is that hollow ground razors became more and more popular, replacing wedges. The most likely reason is that at the time users started to acquire a taste for hollow grinds. That is not compatible with the theory that wedges are better.
A century ago most Europeans travelled to America by boat, nowadays most take a plane. Are boats better than aircraft?
Blogs usually reflect just the author's opinion. If he doesn't explain why he thinks so it could be just that he is making an unfounded generalization. This is very common on the internet, and especially among inexperienced, or those with direct commercial interest.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebib3
For some beginners wedges are best, for other beginners full hollows are best, and yet for others somewhere in the middle is best. It's exactly the same with the round vs. square point.
There is one thing that is best though - to learn what are the differences, and then pick the type that matches better with your particular level of dexterity.
With the greatest of respect, Kees, does your argument not support the case for disposables?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kees
Yes. I have not yet figured out how to fish from an aircraft. Plus, when travelling by boat one is not subjected to virtual strip searches or pat downs from a fat dude with cheeto breath and smelly hands.
Wedges are an old throwback in straight shaving made when they didn't know any other way. I can't possibly understand who would want to shave via some old fashioned manner or shaving-har har.
Whatever you get stay middle of the road for your first.
It doesn't because it supports the use of an electric shaver. LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by mudfly9
Fishing from aircraft is a piece of cake. You do need plenty of line, a larger reel perhaps, a much longer gaff, and heavier weights. Casting accuracy is diminished somewhat but casting range is largely increased.Quote:
Originally Posted by bharner
Regarding wedges, when you catch a fish while fishing from an aircraft, it can be easily gutted and cleaned with your wedge.
I like wedges but I also like the full hollows and the in between grinds. I think if it is a shave ready blade it won't matter what a new shaver starts with. With all of these analogies I'd like to bring it into the realm of the firearms enthusiast since I am one of them. Some guys like to dress up in period garb and shoot black powder guns while others opt for modern double action revolvers. Still others favor semi-autos and than there is a small minority who can afford to shoot full auto. All good, just what each individual prefers. I enjoy shaving with a good full hollow and they do a great job. OTOH, grabbing a hundred and fifty year old Sheffield wedge and shaving with it is just extremely enjoyable for the cool factor IMHO.
That fact that I may like something means that it is preferred by me but not necessarily better than something else.
The way I decided on my first razor was my rational thinking. I read somewhere (the wiki possibly) that full hollows were thinner which meant you would "feel" more through the blade. This seemed logical to me. Whether it is or not is a different story. I haven't used a wedge yet so all I know is what I have, a full hollow 6/8. I can feel what the blade is doing which has saved me a lot of pain as a beginner. If a wedge does this as well then more power to all straights. I do plan on owning a wedge just to see the difference though. Like most will say, pick something in the middle (half hollow) and start with that. If not, read up on the differences between the type of blades in the wiki and pick what sounds more suitable for you.
I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but i did find when starting out with a straight and experimenting with different types early on that wedges were a more comfortable shave for me. Maybe the heft of the metal counteracts the typical inclination to apply too much pressure. Or the added thickness changes the way you perceive the angle you're shaving whereas a beginner with a full hollow might use too small an angle. Either way, I'd say that anything you read on a blog is subjective material and not to be taken as fact.
I'm still working on getting a fly reel large enough and a long enough line. I tried a 5 gallon bucket but it only held about 15,000 feet of line which rules out commercial aircraft. Perhaps I'll have to stick with puddle jumpers for a while longer. ;)
Please keep in the back of your mind that you just read another 20 Blogs right here :)
Only one of them was correct thoughQuote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Hint: His name rhymes with BlartiFartLast
yeah but until your blog's in the wiki, it isn't trueQuote:
Originally Posted by Slartibartfast
User:Slartibartfast - Straight Razor Place WikiQuote:
Originally Posted by hoglahoo
Attachment 66986
Haha, I bet Lee thought everyone forgot about that one.
I thought mine was a different owl
oh well, no need to dwell on the past
Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it .......:rofl2: I think it was Al Gore said that when he decided not to run again .:idea:Quote:
Originally Posted by hoglahoo
hahaha, I see what you did there, very clever indeed :DQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
