Thread: The Closest Shave

Here's a pic of it from last year. It is post 94: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...y-21st-10.html

I have a couple that work well for me in the BBS Dept., 1st, my Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8th's
and 2nd, my Newark 'Electric' 4/8th's, very nimble little minx, I must say!!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

You have to consider some of the wedge grinds out there have been old, rusted, badly honed relics that have been restored.. The grind is the last thing that influences sharpness. Your skill level & how the edge is honed plays a bigger part & as has been said many times, the steel.
I have honed & tested a few wedges that gave me an equally close shave to other razors. I choose not to own one as I find them heavy & clumsy but some of the smaller ones have made me think twice.
You are lucky to have a good razor that is no doubt well honed but your stubble has no idea what grind it is.

How does one measure sharpness? Well, one informal measure might be the ease with which the razor cuts hair, and if that's how you measure, then I agree, the grind is not a factor. On the other hand, it is my experience and belief that the closeness of the shave on final passes has a lot to do with blade geometry, and in this regard, I think the grind possessed by the Klaas presents a distinct advantage.

Yes, the big wedges can be unwieldy but are fantastic if you want to quickly dispatch with several days growth I always use them on the first pass and go to hollow grinds for the second and third. If you want to try an amazing smaller sized wedge, I can strongly recommend any of the Sheffield "Medium Size Hollow Ground" styles. They are, of course, not hollow ground by today's standards; they are really wedge (though not "true" wedge) grinds. I have the 4/8 version manufactured by Joseph Allen, and while it doesn't cut as close as my Klaas, it may be my most comfortable shaver.

Originally Posted by GringoMexicano

BTW, what's the grind on those Mappin & Webbs?

They are considered "bellied hollow", which adds a lot of stability to the blade IMO. And being 6/8 they have a bit of heft, which is nice as well.

Bellied Hollows are fantastic blades,have quite a number of them,never understood why so few makers used them.and more did not.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Bellied Hollows are fantastic blades,have quite a number of them,never understood why so few makers used them.

Agreed. I have a Robrson bellied hollow and it fells like no other type of grind. Wonderful shaver.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Bellied Hollows are fantastic blades,have quite a number of them,never understood why so few makers used them.and more did not.

Likely due to the skill and additional time required to make them.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

They are considered "bellied hollow", which adds a lot of stability to the blade IMO. And being 6/8 they have a bit of heft, which is nice as well.

I'd be into seeing some pics if you have any..

Originally Posted by Theseus

Here's a pic of it from last year. It is post 94: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...y-21st-10.html

I stand corrected, your Bismarck is not of the same geometry...

Originally Posted by GringoMexicano

I'd be into seeing some pics if you have any..

Is not easy to see as the belly is very subtle,see the two ink marks on the toe and the tang end, connect them along the edge of the blade,you can see the belly in the form of sort of a ridge.
Is almost something you cannot see by casual observation.