Thread: Wedge razor advantages and disavantages of size?

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.

Like full hollows you won't know until you try. I have shaved with the 9/8s down to the 4/8 and learned that my sweet spot is in between. I don't care for 4/8s at all, probably because with my thick fingers they are hard to control with those skinny tangs.

The big razors, wedge or FH, are all right but I prefer 6/8 or 7/8 max. Just as I discovered I prefer 1/4, 1/2 hollow, or wedge to full hollow, A 5/8 is also on the small side, but I can shave with them, and really like some particular razors I have in that size.

The very large ones are like driving a pickup while the 5/8 is like a sports car in comparison. That's just me though ........ YMMV.

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!

I've been wanting to try a wedge but haven't found anything in my price range. It'll have to wait awhile as I'm between jobs now.

I love my wedges! As mentioned they don't give and require more effort, but I find they shave better for me. I have sizes from 4/8 to 8/8, and the 5/8 is about perfect for me. It's easy to strop (smaller ones are not) and not unwieldy on my face. You can pick up decent modern (ish) ones off the bay for around $20 and fix them up!!

For me they kind of shave by themselves, mostly due to they're weight I suppose. Definitely like driving loaded pickup as opposed to a little car.

I want to try one too. I have been eyeballing the near wedge Esbjerg-Koorat on SRD.....Nice....

I have shaved with several different wedges. Some wide, some not so much. I prefer them to have a little width, 6/8 or better. I find the smaller blades don't hold much lather, and I like to make a big mess and get a lot of lather built up on my face. Other than the holding lather they all shave about the same, as long as the hand can make the small adjustments.

I have an older Boker 387 5/8s 1/4 wedge that's prompting the question.

The stropping of smaller ones is good to know. I have trouble enough with my 5/8s but I'm getting better. So far anything bigger than 6/8s gives me trouble under my nose.

I'll try the higher angle next time too and following the contours better. I need to better understand what I have before going too far. Pushing seventy my face is getting gnarlier than ever. Har!

I like that "they shave by themselves".

Large heavy wedges are silent killers,,,as your mowing down whiskers on the right side,, the left side whiskers have no idea what the heck is coming,,,,