Thread: Love for wedges?

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.

Originally Posted by pinklather

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:

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.