Thread: A Frameback or a wedge?

I'm thinking of a new razor, if for no other reason than that RAD is getting its ugly claws in me. I've been using a Wapi almost exclusively lately...and I like the feel of the blade. It's nice and stiff, and it sweeps through the hairs like the reaper's scythe.

I've been looking at different styles, and I've decided that I want either a more "wedgey" blade (no more than 1/4 hollow) or a frameback; aesthetically, they both appeal to me much more than hollows, and I like the stiffer feel of a less hollow blade. Comments about Framebacks have led me to beieve that the shave is somewhat similar to a wedge; and I have to admit, I prefer the look of the frameback a bit more.

Is there anything that would make a wedge a much better buy than a frameback? Either in regards to maintenance or shaving?

The major differences I have noted are:

- unless you get a big old sheffield frameback (which are getting hard to find) most framebacks are swedish. While the profiles may be similar, the swedish steel is harder than that of a sheffield wedge. It takes a very keen edge but is less forgiving of lapses in technique.

- the framebacks get the desired width of the spine needed for the honing angle from the frame (duh), and the tang is usually thin. Depending on the size of your fingers, this may take some getting used to. One way to minimize this is to get a bigger (6/8 or larger) swedish frameback, or again, a larger sheffield frameback.

Both types are great shavers. A concave grind sheffield may be a good "compromise" in form factor, and are very, very good shavers to boot.

Just my 2c.

Framebacks feel more like full hollows than wedges to me when it comes to the shave. I find them less forgiving as well, and agree with Ray that a concave ground Sheffield can be a good compromise

Personally I find very little shaving difference due to grind between a III (Wapi) and a I (wedge) on the Henckels chart, but nobody would have been able to convince me of that until I had tried!

You really have no alternative but to buy one (or more) of each. I mean a frameback and a wedge. Then once you have tried a Sheffield frameback you should really get a Swedish frameback to give that a fair chance. It's not RAD it is for the sake of honest experimentation.

From an aesthetic point of view, nothing is easier to get shiny than a wedge. Somehow, to me, framebacks look better left alone with their original patina. That's likely a rationalization, as I've never been willing to try to sand into that crease where the spine meets the blade in a frameback.

I have been thinking about the hollow vs. wedge blades recently because my sympathies were shifting quite dramatically in the past three months.

One of my first razors was an extra hollow one and I had big problems shaving with it without cutting the heck out of myself. Then I got a 1/4 hollow Wostenholm wedge which felt like a miracle. It was much better for my bad angles and poor technique. But as I was getting better and my shaves were getting closer, I discovered the bliss of hollow ground razors. I cannot get as close shave from a wedge as from a hollow razor today; and I nick myself far worse with wedges. I guess I have to improve my technique more to get my "wedge skills" on par with my "hollow skills". Wedges do not forgive me any mistakes.

My 2c...

In use both a frameback and a wedge perform in similar manner. A big English wedge has a heft to it that is pretty cool. A big wedge is usually harder to sharpen than a typical Swedish frameback. They both have a mystique about them, there is definitely a cool factor. There is no blade flex with either one I guess a frameback feels a bit more maneuverable. Other that the heft and ease of sharpening I think the choice is aesthetic.

A nice 5/8s American made wedge is one of the ultimate shaving tools in my book. They are not much to look at, but I like the way they shave. No cool factor, just pure utility.


Charlie

I find true wedges a bit tough to hone. Quarter hollows, no problem though. Ask yourself if you want to experience this challenge before deciding.

X

I have stopped using my framebacks for shaving. They are easier to sharpen than wedges, but I cut myself much more often using framebacks, than with wedges. Unforgiving, for sure! Maybe they require a better technique than I possess, but I have gotten a few too many nicks using them.

Thanks for all the comments. I came very, very close to a frameback (And a beauty she was...just a WEE bit out of reach), but I think I might be picking up a concave grind Sheffield instead. Kind of the best of both worlds thing...at least for the time being. Until, as JimyHAD says, scientific curiosity gets the best of me and I plunge into full razor research mode...

I'm doomed, aren't I?