Thread: Wedge blades today?

Today most razors are full hollow ground, or 1/4 hollow ground. But what about wedges, why aren't they produced today? They seem to bee rather popular among straight shavers, but they are only available in vintage edition ie. no new ones..why is this?

The only thing I can think of that that the investment in new equipment would be greater than their potential earnings. I'm sure that Dovo as a business would have at least investigated the possibility and decided that since they only make what, 150 razors a day, that it just wasn't worth the expense. On top of that, there's no precedent to follow....nobody else is making them so I don't have to worry about losing market share.

you can buy a custom wedge, the price however could be pretty steep

While it is an interesting point that there are no new wedges made since companies used to make them, a vintage wedge is still far less expensive than a new one would be. That alone probably deters companies that are currently producing razors from investing in the development of and equipment for a new wedge.

Most of the wedges were produced at a time when the best way to make a straight was take a chunk of steel and grind it down to a wedge with an edge. They didn't know about hollow grinds. Once you got into the latter part of the 19th century and they started in with hollows they could produce a smaller lighter razor which was easier to maintain and gave good feedback. Most weren't interested in wedges anymore. Its kind of like saying how many people in this day and age would be interested in a car like ones produced in the early 1920s without power steering and brakes and a manual tranny without synchromesh and a hand crank starter. Not too many.

I was told by a guy who sells Dovo razors (among others), that the Dovo management is very not open to new ideas. They produce 5/8 and 6/8 hollow ground razors. That's it. And they show no interest in doing anything else, he told me. He also speculated, that if someone were to place an order for one 1000 razors and pay for them in advance, they might consider going along with a few requests for the production of those 1000 razors... Perhaps.

I believe Theirs Issard is more adventurous and dynamic. At least they recently produced 1/4 hollow razors, and I personally believe 1/4 hollows offer all the advantages of a wedge without the disadvantages. In my opinion, true wedges or nearly true wedges, except for those who find their appearance appealing, are obsolete. They pose all kinds of honing difficulties that only worsen during the lifetime of the razor.

I like those old wedges, for the history they breath, and I also like to shave occasionally with a heavier blade. But given the option to buy a modern heavyweight, stiff blade, I 'd opt for a quarter hollow without hesitation.

Just an opinion,

Bart.

Wedges work well, but require more effort to hone and to keep sharp. Simply, its more metal that you have to deal with. More metal also cost more money. Users want a good shave and easy care. All the hollow types have captured most of the market because they shave well, provide feedback when shaving and take an edge easily.

Wedges will always be available as shavers like variety, but they will be limited. Keep looking, they are around, new and used.

Pabster

Shavingshop.com has a Wacker 1/4 & a wedge straights available

and they are my definite next razor purchase

I have a wedge and it's about to go up for sale. It's an OK shave, but not in a class with a hollow grind.

Thanks for the link to shavingshop.com . Lots of eye candy there!

Originally Posted by Bart

I was told by a guy who sells Dovo razors (among others), that the Dovo management is very not open to new ideas. They produce 5/8 and 6/8 hollow ground razors. That's it. And they show no interest in doing anything else, he told me. He also speculated, that if someone were to place an order for one 1000 razors and pay for them in advance, they might consider going along with a few requests for the production of those 1000 razors... Perhaps.

I believe Theirs Issard is more adventurous and dynamic. At least they recently produced 1/4 hollow razors, and I personally believe 1/4 hollows offer all the advantages of a wedge without the disadvantages. In my opinion, true wedges or nearly true wedges, except for those who find their appearance appealing, are obsolete. They pose all kinds of honing difficulties that only worsen during the lifetime of the razor.

I like those old wedges, for the history they breath, and I also like to shave occasionally with a heavier blade. But given the option to buy a modern heavyweight, stiff blade, I 'd opt for a quarter hollow without hesitation.

Just an opinion,

Bart.

How German of them lol. Find the most efficient, practical thing and run with it. And when asked to change they become stubborn and ask why bother with something less efficient lol.