Thread: The great experiment

Must be change week!

As originally planned, I picked up my 6/8 Ralf Aust, but while I was stropping it, a fairly new "old" one of mine, a Hess Stainless small-ish 5/8, that I bought on the classifieds a few months ago caught my eye. I decided to switch up and use that one.

My first shave Monday was a little touch and go, but Tuesday, I kinda got the hang of the little guy, and got a pretty good shave. I did get a little razor burn on my neck, but I think it was too much "hand" instead of letting the razor get the angle it wanted.

I also switched soaps to a Barrister and Mann sample I got some time back, and it was super.

Here's the razor.

Yeah, that 42 Hess wedge is of a similar profile as Richard's CMon wedge. I shaved exclusively with that type for 2 years straight.

Hard to beat the 'modern grind' wedge for smoothness and control, I think! Dang! I have a few left.
Need to hone them up soon!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yeah, that 42 Hess wedge is of a similar profile as Richard's CMon wedge. I shaved exclusively with that type for 2 years straight.

Hard to beat the 'modern grind' wedge for smoothness and control, I think! Dang! I have a few left.
Need to hone them up soon!

That was part of my adjustment issue, Tom. I was treating it like a hollow grind, which it isn't, but feels like in the hand after using the heavy guys. The pivot pin also needs to be tightened, just a tad, so I kinda squeeze the razor too tight to compensate.

Be careful on the tightening, Harold. Those scales are (sadly) prone to cell rot in some instances.
It just usually will not show on the stainless blade. If the collars sink in and it is not yet tight, it may be fixed, but unpinning is necessary, JMO.

I'll look it over carefully first and maybe just leave it alone and cope with it. I love the scales.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I'll look it over carefully first and maybe just leave it alone and cope with it. I love the scales.

No cause for alarm. It may just need repinning. If it's loose, it should be tight! JMO

Harold48 & Sharptonn you just taught me something. I have been treating a stainless Hejestrand like a full hollow, and hating the shaves with it. I will treat it as a wedge and change my angles. Thank-you for pulling it out and sharing.

Well, now that I've been reminded again (told you I was forgetful, Tom) that the Hess was a small wedge, I grabbed it this morning and went at my face again (3d time this week), fortified by newly awakened knowledge.

After stropping, then lathering with the Barrister & Mann, I had a great 2 pass shave, no irritation, no pulling, no problems, and I was able to maneuver the razor to places that are harder with his bigger brothers, like under my nose and below my chin. with now problem areas. Love it! The experiment and learning continue!

Having shaved successfully again today with the Hess 5/8 wedge, I decided to treat myself, in spite of past advice from Richard , and use my heaviest and one of my top 3 favorites, this W&B FBU. I'll be stropping it up tonight and giving it a cruise or two around my face tomorrow or Sunday, depending on my mood, and the whisker challenge I want to give it.

Round 5

I finished up round 5 earlier this week having with five consecutive shaves with a 7/8 Wade & Butcher wedge. The razor was a gift from a friend who had finished it on an Escher. This grind is really close to a true wedge.


Like my other wedge, this razor is a fairly quiet. It mowed down the whiskers with little noise and little feedback. The first time I shaved with it I left a couple of marks on my face-those red lines where you apparently break the skin but you don't bleed and you don't notice until hours later. However, the shaves were all smooth and mostly comfortable. Stropping was okay. The scales were a bit thick and felt awkward during stropping. As I said during round three and four, I've really come to like the vintage steel finished on an Escher.