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I've been straight razor shaving for maybe 5 years, have roughly 25 razors of different makes, models, eras, grinds. I find the wedges give the best shave by far, and I'm getting a friend into it and he likes the wedges as well. Why are most 20th century razors hollows and basically all current production? On this forum do most people really prefer full hollows?
I do not believe there is preference one way or another. There is more than just the grind that enters the equation when it comes to preference. Face feel, heft, size, looks.
I just feel like there is a lot bigger following for wedges than the inventory would suggest. Or maybe if wedges were more common more people would experience them and find they prefer them?
With all the enthusiam & none of the experience or wisdom, I started by choosing looks & to a lessor extent - equally uniformed assessment of 'friendly' or more 'safe'.
Having a pronounced bias towards function, I now buy Ergos & that usually has me noticing the heavier grinds, though usually not the full wedge. The heft is assuring that it won't easily be moved by face friction w/ a heavy beard - blowing the blade angle & likely some flesh. It also sits heavier in the hand, so the tactile/feel of how its positioned or oriented is less ambiguous. They're certainly more tolerant of blade angle & pressure, and do just fine w/ proper no-pressure technique.
Now the next guy will feel different - his 'fit' to the ergos, beard, hand-size, finger sensitivity will favor a different configuration - but finding the config your hands & face like gives alot of satisfaction.
The smaller amount of available heavy grinds usually means that many never get to try a satisfying heavy grind. That was why I was thrilled when Scott opened Portland Razor.
Whatever your taste favors in ergos will likely result in consistent satisfaction. Its one reason I urge members to get together w/ each other & try each other's gear so you don't have to go broke buying & selling to find what you like best.
That is why a few members conducted "The Great Experiment". They exchanged different straight razors, different types. You can find it here:Quote:
Originally Posted by pinklather
http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...xperiment.html
Myself, I can shave with a hollow ground or a wedge but because I have more of a coarse beard, I prefer to use a wedge. They have less flex & they cut the hair off with such ease when honed & stropped right. Some razors you need to get used to in order to get the shave down really good. That is what they were doing in the "The Great Experiment". They would use a certain razor for a week & each day they would post their findings in the shave, how it went, any issues & so on.
As far as newer razors mostly being hollow ground, a wedge is still available which I'm sure you know if you buy a custom. I got myself a Koraat & it is a beautiful 8/8 wedge but Ulrik will make them with more of a hollow grind if you want. I love the feel of it also. That is just one example but there are others who will make a wedge or should I say near wedge.
Everyone has a preference. If full hollows weren't used then they wouldn't make them. Plus if you think about it there is more labor and precision in a full hollow so if wedges were all that people wanted why spend the time and money to make them.
I will disagree with you on they give the best shaves. Any edge that is honed properly will cut the whiskers, the hair don't know what you have in your hand. A lot has to do with your shaving technique and or how comfortable you are with a razor. My favorite razor is not my favorite grind, but it feels great in my hand and takes the hair from clean, it's a full hollow
Yet Most of my customs I have are 1/4 hollow, it's preference only. Tc
I wonder if for some (such as myself) the shave is 50% mental. By that I mean hollows and wedges both cut well if properly honed, but there's just something about the looks of a big Sheffield chopper that makes me drool. I think many agree with the looks of the choppers, especially if custom razors are any indication. Plus I'm a sucker for any tool over 100 years old, and the older the razor the more likely it will be a wedge. Maybe in my head I just want to like them more?
I prefer a heavy grind. I like a nice big blade right around 8/8ths. As far as shaving goes my favorite is a 6/8ths near wedge 1820ish George Wostenholm. I have razors that I don't shave with that often but I love the looks of them. It is 100% all personal preference nothing more. I have not seen one but we should do a poll on preferred grinds.
It's all just preference. I am an everyday shaver with no facial hair. Ie mustache, goatee etc I prefer full hollows because they give better feedback on such short stubble, are more nimble and maneuver better around the lips and nostrils. I have wedges too and get just a good a shave but it takes a few extra minutes. Fine on the weekends but not workdays
CrownCork I think I'm the opposite of you, if I grow my beard out the full hollow works ok on the longer hairs, but the wedge does better on short stubble. Actually the wedge is better on both, it's like the heft just powers through with less resistance. Maybe it's mental though.
When the Germans perfected hollow grinds in the late 19th century the wedge was quickly on its way out. The hollow grinds pretty much took over. Just as the safety razor pretty much took the market from straights for the general public. Unless I'm badly mistaken I think that by the mid 20th century the primary market for straights was pro barbers. Hollows were a lot easier to hone ......... and still are.
Look at the current catalog of most razor companies, outside of customs, and they are 5/8 round points with 6/8 round points next in the pecking order. Certainly pro barbers are no longer the market for them, and the only thing that has kept straight razor companies viable is the straight razor renaissance of recent years. With all of that said I prefer wedges, half hollows and quarter hollows to full hollows.
I could see a day where all my FHs are gone and I have nothing but heavier grinds. Once they are honed touching up is no biggie when necessary and I prefer the feel of the shave I get with them.
I also like the shave and the way a heavier razor feels in the hand. 1/4 hollow or heavier for me. Now after saying that let me say this. There is a deference between full hollow grinds. I have some that are full hollow that shave like a 1/4 grind and some that feel way to flexible. Now if the angle is right it doesn't matter to the razor . If it's honed right it will shave good. But I find that a little heavier thicker blade is more forgiving. As far as what is more popular now well it may be that the hollow and extra hollow is almost all that you can find unless it comes from someone who makes those special blades. Boker and Dovo and a few more all i've seen is extra hollow. It would be nice to see more 1/4 hollow out there.
A wedge or a full hollow will do the job if honed & stopped right so what it all boils down to is personal preference.
I pretty much like them All. Some days I like the sound of a full Hollow erasing stubble, others, the no flex of a Wedge going through heavy beard with ease is Happiness.
After learning some about Honing, and that learned on Old razors, I really appreciate an Razor that Holds an edge, is easy to sharpen and shave with, practical use I guess of a precision ground, Heat treated tool.
I really wish Dovo or somebody would produce an affordable, functional round 5/8 wedge... I love my dubl duck Satin Wedge for most of the shave, but I just don't need the typical spike point on most wedges, and prefer the round point of my Dovo Inox for certain areas. Even a round-ish barber's notch would be better than a spike point for me.
Mute the tip. Tc