Thread: Tough Beard = 1/4 Hollow or Wedge?

X is probably right (usually is). But I think when it comes to the chin and neck, technique is highly individual and harder to transmit in an online forum. Everything I know about honing, stropping, and basic shaving technique I learned from this forum. (X gave a technique for ATG in the mustache area – works great and I still use it). Ask a question you get an answer that 9 times out of 10 solves the problem.

Not so with the chin and neck, however, in my experience. There it's just trial and error, lots of red spots, and finally an epiphany or two that no one else could have led you to. I finally found a 30-degree south-by-southwest sloping XTG stroke from my right cheek to the middle of my chin that somehow shaves closer than a ATG stroke in that area and causes no razor burn. It doesn't work on the other side; there I have to dry a spot to the left of the matching area, pull the skin much more taut than usual and do a single ATG stroke. Similarly, I've found that an inch-wide band of growth at the lower part of my neck has a subtly different grain from the rest, and that if I start with a S-N pass just on that band, then do N-S for the rest of the neck area, I don't get any spots. No way is this shit the same for anyone else. The grain and whorl of the hair around the mouth and neck is just too idiosyncratic from person-to person, so even if your technique is very very good you might have a little more yet to learn about your face.

Well X certainly deserves alot of credit but don't give him too much or he'll just get a swelled head around here.

I think sharpness is number one because no matter the technique or blade type dull is dull. I think technique is number two, remember an experience race car driver in a VW Beattle could drive the trousers off some novice in a ferrari. I would put blade type as number 3. Much of the difference in shave quality is more a matter of the characteristics of certain grinds and weights of the blades which in experienced hands can be an advantage or disadvantage. To me different grinds are just differences in feel in the end they all shave the same.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I would put blade type as number 3. Much of the difference in shave quality is more a matter of the characteristics of certain grinds and weights of the blades which in experienced hands can be an advantage or disadvantage. To me different grinds are just differences in feel in the end they all shave the same.

I stand corrected and deeply humbled oh wizened and ancient master ... (very ancient)

X

Well... your Wapi is a wedge and some refer to it a single concave 1/4 hollow. The point is that it is a stiff grind with little flex. Some people with heavy/tough/wirey/problem beards prefer the stiffer grinds such as wedge, 1/4 hollow.l/2 hollow, either single concave or biconcave. I am one of those guys.

I do agree that sharpness is the most important characteristic but I will not say that a 5/8 full hollow grind will shave a thick-tough-wirey beard as well as a stiffer grind. That is something that each person has to decide for themselves. Judge for yourself.

There are two things that make a big difference in my shaves
1. Beard prep
2. Patience


Just my two cents,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Well... your Wapi is a wedge and some refer to it a single concave 1/4 hollow.

There are two things that make a big difference in my shaves
1. Beard prep
2. Patience

Thanks to all for the input!

Randy,
I had my suspicions that the Wapi was not a full hollow and that that fact had some relevance in the shave for me. Sure, sharpness and technique (experience and expertise) have an overwhelming effect on the shave. I sure as hell noticed it when I first tried honing the Morley and dulled the bejeeeses out of it Once I figured out how to hone it up again and was passing the HHT and all. I received the Wapi and honed it as well, my technique had not changed between the next two shaves, just the razor from the Morley FH to the Wapi. I will say that the Wapi steel on the hone feels much different than the Morley Solingen steel does. Could be the grind, but the steel feels softer somehow . But the shaves are better, too.

The Wapienica steel feels similar to vintage Sheffield steel, which is to say it's on the soft side but easy to hone, and feels gentle on the face when you're shaving.

my wapi gives me a shave that is as smooth & forgiving as my Maestro is the grind on the wapi a 1/4 hollow ?

Originally Posted by mparker762

The Wapienica steel feels similar to vintage Sheffield steel, which is to say it's on the soft side but easy to hone, and feels gentle on the face when you're shaving.

+1 on describing the Wapi

Sharp -
Randy mentioned that he considers the Wapi a 1/4 hollow wedge. I will have to defer to him and his experience. I did notice the difference between my full hollow and the Wapi's blade, however.
Definitely seemed different in several ways from the FH.