Thread: W&B's Edges Are Weak (IMHO, of course)

Originally Posted by ndw76

Thank you for talking down W&B. Can you please keep this thread going until prices drop and I can buy a couple more?

I had my suspicions along these lines as well....


Aside from all the fuss, Pumas and Dorko's are nice looking razors, but edge retention? Maybe not all they are cracked up to be....



Back on-topic: I guess you can't have it all. Soft steel may not hold an edge as long as "hard" steel, but the Sheffields certainly feel super-smooth on the face. The newest TI's ("hard" steel) have been reported by some to give a somewhat uncomfortable shave.

So, you pays you money, and you takes yer chances....


P.S.- I stil say my W&Butchered holds it's edge forever and a day, so I am not in any way agreeing with the opinions held above.

I don't want to insult anyones technique, but I alternate in rotation some very light hollows in my main stable of wb wedges. It is easy when you get use to shaving with a wedge to go at it with abandon, and I could wipe out almost any blade with one shave if I do that. It is very easy to get relaxed about technique cause the things just plow through heavy beard. That is just me your milage may vary.
M

Originally Posted by JMS

...And not a word from Glen?

Glen is not qualified to have an opinion on shaving with these razors, honing them yes, shaving them no....
I just don't like wedges they don't agree with my face, I test shave them once, and they are off and running...

Now I do own a very nice W&B Special that holds it's edge just fine, but that is my one and only in the rotation... Matter of fact I only have three Sheffield's in my rotation I have a 6/8 Bengal hollow that was one of the first razors I bought when I stared back still one of the smoothest edges I own. I have a Custom Restore 7/8+ Wostenholm hollow that is a great shaver and the W&B Special.....

As to honing them, most of the fuss is the previous wear, you have to sort through a multitude of spine and bevel angles then finally you get a clean shot...
I have only honed a very few that looked to be NOS, or Near NOS, and they hone just as fast as any other razor, and had nice, even, small, bevels...
Now I will say that many of the older ones have some grind/warp issues that need to be worked around... I think what I am realizing as I continue typing is that perhaps the issue is honing them and not the edge itself... Perhaps some of you that have W&B's that Lynn or myself have honed could jump in and say whether the edges hold up... Dwessell would be a good one he has at least three that I did for him...

Other than my two choppers, I not fond of W&B, for almost all of the reasons listed, although I do admit the softer steel seems smoother on the face.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I had my suspicions along these lines as well....


Aside from all the fuss, Pumas and Dorko's are nice looking razors, but edge retention? Maybe not all they are cracked up to be....



Back on-topic: I guess you can't have it all. Soft steel may not hold an edge as long as "hard" steel, but the Sheffields certainly feel super-smooth on the face. The newest TI's ("hard" steel) have been reported by some to give a somewhat uncomfortable shave.

So, you pays you money, and you takes yer chances....


P.S.- I stil say my W&Butchered holds it's edge forever and a day, so I am not in any way agreeing with the opinions held above.

Didn't you do a side by side comparison with a Sheffield under your microscope and find it to be superior to other blades. I seem to remember a thread on it. I have no problems, and have a dozen or so vintage W&B's.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I had my suspicions along these lines as well....


Aside from all the fuss, Pumas and Dorko's are nice looking razors, but edge retention? Maybe not all they are cracked up to be....



Back on-topic: I guess you can't have it all. Soft steel may not hold an edge as long as "hard" steel, but the Sheffields certainly feel super-smooth on the face. The newest TI's ("hard" steel) have been reported by some to give a somewhat uncomfortable shave.

So, you pays you money, and you takes yer chances....


P.S.- I stil say my W&Butchered holds it's edge forever and a day, so I am not in any way agreeing with the opinions held above.

Fuss or not, my Puma 222 holds its edge just fine. I'm not able to comment on the longevity as compared to other Germans because it's newer, but I can say that it's lasted longer than the one W&B that I have left in my rotation.

To answer the question about which grinds, I've had full hollow, about 1/4 hollow (which is what I have left) and near wedge. I think Kingfish is onto something re: bevel establishment. If it could be made wider, perhaps it would hold up better. I wasn't really impressed with the wedge I had (just sold it).

I have three w&b's that I got from Glenn.. All three have shaved great.. And about a year later are now just at the point where they need to be rehoned.


dw

I just wonder how individual beard toughness comes into play here. I've not noticed W&Bs becoming dull sooner and certainly not any of the Pumas I have. Maybe I could just put milk on my whiskers and get the cat to lick them off.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I just wonder how individual beard toughness comes into play here. I've not noticed W&Bs becoming dull sooner and certainly not any of the Pumas I have. Maybe I could just put milk on my whiskers and get the cat to lick them off.

I think this is huge factor. It took me a long time to develop a good enough technique to compensate for my heavy beard. Softer steel is more vulnerable from my experience.
M

Can't speak for W&B's but other Sheffields in my rotation hold a lovely edge.