Thread: Wedge razor advantages and disavantages of size?

Originally Posted by jmercer

I found a DD Satin Wedge in fairly good shape and am in the process of cleaning up first. Can't wait to try it. I can see the big difference in edge flex comparing it to a DD Dwarf. The Boker has less edge flex than this Satin Wedge.

What degree of wedge here, quarter or near?

Always been hard for me to judge the difference. This might help though The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Always been hard for me to judge the difference. This might help though The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library

Bob

I have checked that out and thought it is more quarter. I am looking for more definitive answer than my guess.

Originally Posted by jmercer

I have checked that out and thought it is more quarter. I am looking for more definitive answer than my guess.

Quarter would have been my guess too.

Bob

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Wedges are quite varied, I really like them all, from old heavies to modern-grinds from the 50's.
No flex, nor give. Require an ever-changing angle during a shave. Seems much more higher angle is needed as well, generally.
More strokes per shave as the blade does not conform to the face. After a bit, you learn to conform the face to the blade!
Great thing to learn on as well. Not easy to destroy on the strop, predictable in nature. Fun to use!
They all seem to have a thing in common. They LOVE the strop!

Love me some wedges!

Tried the higher angle today with much better results. Used a lot of short strokes to help with changing angles. It is un-forgiving with deep creases not stretched enough. Har!

Next time I'll be using a slicker soap/cream to help with the higher angle. I'll be perfecting "Shave the Lather" with the higher angle now.

Thanks for the tips everybody. I can handle this now.

Originally Posted by jmercer

Quick note, one of first I cleaned up before I knew to follow the edge with smile in spine.

Does a slight smile in wedge razors edges make it more user friendly since it doesn't flex than a straight/flat hollow edge that can flex?

i guess with a tough beard & poor technique, you might say a wedge could be more user friendly but a good full hollow properly sharp & used virtually flat on the face will do the same job.

On defining wedges , all razors are ground on rotating wheels & the diameter of the wheel determines how hollow. I have not seen a razor that was flat ground unless it was excessively honed that way so what people call a "true" wedge is just a worn razor. So all wedges & 1/4 hollow razors are hollow ground. If someone can show me machinery that was used to flat grind razors I'll accept the "true" wedge theory.

I think it was a reply Neil Miller made in one of the long threads on wedges. IIRC he speculated that the only way to grind a true wedge was to grind it on a single horizontally turning grinding stone. That is only spec though.

Bob

Originally Posted by jmercer

I'm interested in getting a wedge razor. What are the advantages and disadvantages in small 3/8s up to the bigger 8/8s?

I know the bigger ones can be like tanks and just plow through beards and wedges don't flex much if any.

Any personal insight would be greatly appreciated.

Lots of great advice in front of me.
My personal insight is heavy wedges or near wedge razors do not flex very much
and as a result they seemed to hone and strop easier for me.

They are also slightly softer steel that responds to almost any hone (generalization).
A touch-up every Saturday was needed for my favorite when other razors shaved
for months.

Many have been abused by knife sharpeners and require work.

Then one day I stumbled on a very fine ground Robusto(?) astoundingly fine ground
with a very very thin grind to the blade. My then new 12k hone and a hint from
the old guys here to use a very light touch on the hone AND on the strop.
I found I had an edge was as sharp as any Feather DE blade but smoother.

The additional weight makes shaving seem easier too.

Good or bad they will teach you.

If you have a good one enjoy the heck out of it.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

i guess with a tough beard & poor technique, you might say a wedge could be more user friendly but a good full hollow properly sharp & used virtually flat on the face will do the same job.

On defining wedges , all razors are ground on rotating wheels & the diameter of the wheel determines how hollow. I have not seen a razor that was flat ground unless it was excessively honed that way so what people call a "true" wedge is just a worn razor. So all wedges & 1/4 hollow razors are hollow ground. If someone can show me machinery that was used to flat grind razors I'll accept the "true" wedge theory.

I don't know about the specifics of manufacturing straight razors, but is there a reason a wedge couldn't be ground on something like a 2x72" belt grinder (e.g. a KMG), like knife makers typically use these days when making flat ground blades?

Granted, I think that belt grinders like that are a relatively new invention so I can't see any historical razors being made like that, but aside from that I can't see any reason why it can't be done.

Originally Posted by Blank

I don't know about the specifics of manufacturing straight razors, but is there a reason a wedge couldn't be ground on something like a 2x72" belt grinder (e.g. a KMG), like knife makers typically use these days when making flat ground blades?

Granted, I think that belt grinders like that are a relatively new invention so I can't see any historical razors being made like that, but aside from that I can't see any reason why it can't be done.

If you have the skill I guess you can make whatever you want but how would you hone such a thing?
Razors are honed with 2 contact points on the stone, the edge & the spine, because they are hollow ground, be they on a 36" wheel or a 2 " wheel.
Flat ground blades, ie knives are honed with only edge contact so not really what we're talking about here.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

If you have the skill I guess you can make whatever you want but how would you hone such a thing?
Razors are honed with 2 contact points on the stone, the edge & the spine, because they are hollow ground, be they on a 36" wheel or a 2 " wheel.
Flat ground blades, ie knives are honed with only edge contact so not really what we're talking about here.

Personally I'd hone it by using a piece of tape on the spine to give it a tiny bit of lift, like some people on here recommend to avoid spine wear. An alternative would be to just go with a zero grind blade, although that would indeed take a long time to hone and be very inefficient.

But still, fair point on the honing, although from the wording of your post I thought you were just asking about the grinding itself and not the honing process too.