Thread: Could it be a wedge is the best way to learn?

Looking back over my first 100+ shaves it seems to me a wedge is the ideal tool to learn to become a better shaver. Unlike a hollow ground the wedge provides little or no audible feedback. The feedback is purely tactile. Use too much pressure with a wedge trying to hear the shave, and you will feel the burn! I have developed a much better sense of touch, especially in problem spots using a wedge. The maintenance of a wedge is shall we say, challenging. I'm still getting my Wacker wedge in top honed condition. It is a challenge, but I've learned a lot about honing with a wedge!

Conversely, for me, shaving with a full hollow now is really easy (almost as easy as a DE) and the maintenance is very simple. If I did it over again, I would do my first 25 shaves with a full hollow, then switch to a wedge and stay there until I'd mastered it.

Well said I completely agree.

I recently acquired a couple of wedges to restore. Once I get them done, I'm looking forward to learning a wedge.

I have two wedge's (wade & butcher battleship and a Red imp wedge), when shave ready they are a dream! but they are stubborn to hone! I am probably going to send them out to be done professionally once I can afford it lol

Originally Posted by medicevans

I recently acquired a couple of wedges to restore. Once I get them done, I'm looking forward to learning a wedge.

Now that I'm getting used to wedges, I think there's no better feeling than shaving with a great wedge. I look the smooth, heavy feel of a well honed wedge.

I just got a 160 year old Wade and Butcher full wedge. I'm going to send it out to be restored and honed, but I'm really looking forward to shaving with it. This thing is HEAVY!

I think it depends on you. I found that a heavy grind was more forgiving of poor technique that would make a full hollow jump, skip, and bite. Not that one is better than the other for a starter, though; it depends on your personality. If you want something that will force you to shave properly, go full hollow; if you'd rather get good shaves sooner but not be forced to the point where you'll get great shaves, then a heavy grind will do it. At least, that's how it was in my hands.

And if you really want a challenge, pick up a "long grind" - the faux framebacks that have blades as thin as full hollows. Man those things flex like no other.

I think a 1/2 hollow 5/8 is an ideal 1st razor. Not too big for under the nose, hollow in chin, hollows on neck - and not too flexy for beginner technique. After your technique improves, I think a full hollow or extra hollow shaves nicer. The extra sound leads to a lighter pressure automatically in my experience. I think some extra hollows are too flexy for extra coarse or extra thick or extra swirly beards though - at least until you have a whole lot of experience. Shaving with a more flexy extra hollow definitely improved my angles and direction I approached certain patches of stubble on my face. The technique that yielded very close shaves and no irritation with a full hollow yielded irritation and extra close shaves with the extra hollow. A couple of weeks later, my technique had improved, and then the extra hollow was irritation free too (and the shave was a little bit closer). Unfortunately, any small mistake in angle or approach path leads to flexing which causes irritation. So I decided full hollow was best for my thick shafted and swirly beard

I honestly don't think it makes a difference!

The best way to learn is get a decent well honed blade, a good strop plus some decent soap and a brush and stick with that kit for a good few shaves until you're used to them. Only then start adding new and different blades.

Eventually you'll be able to swap things around as you like!

From the total beginner...

I probably have 20 shaves under my belt. 19 of them with a full hollow ground W&B. 1 with a wedge W&B (today). It was like night and day. With the full hollow, I cut myself quite a bit, felt alot of pulling because the angle wasn't right or I hit a particularly thick part of my beard. With the wedge it was like wiping shaving cream off my face with a squeegie or something. No pulling... close shave... bliss! Before you ask... yes, both were professionally honed and shave ready (thanks Sham). I am happy that I have the experience of the full hollow ground razor under my belt, and I will go back to it eventually to test things out, but until I perfect my technique, I'm sticking with the wedge and would suggest that any beginner start with one also.

Myles

The great thing about this art form is everyone has their own road! A lot like the secret to success....there is no secret, it's different for everyone!