Big Old Sheffields: Wedge vs Hollow

Every time i reach for a razor to shave with out of my box of goodies I reach a bit of a conundrum. Wedge or Hollow?

I personally love the way an old wedge just seems to eliminate all in its path. The weight of the blade alone is so substaintial that it seems the make the whiskers jump from their root as the blade approaches, as it terrified to resist. The weight of the wedge also give an incredible balance on the straight away with a hand feel i just love. In the words of Judge Lummus "No better shaving device was ever made than and old sheffield wedge".......

But then there is the hollow ground razor. As much as i love a massive wedge it's hard to ignore the fact that most people who shave with a straight shave with a hollow ground blade. I would say based on my observation the vast majority of people tend to favor a full hollow to a heavier hollowgrind; furthermore it seems that wedge grind razors became obsolete to the hollow ground razor by the end of the 19th century. Hollow ground razors to me are like a porsche where as a wedge is like a Hemi 'Cuda: the hollow ground takes the turns and and cuts it close where as the wedge it just pure muscle, taking it all out as it goes along.

Heres mine side by side, What do you think about wedge vs hollow? let see yours!!!


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I love all of the full or extra hollow razors I have, but I tend to like the 1/2 or 1/4 hollow blades alittle better except for one extra hollow that I have that shaves like a 1/4 hollow. I also like shaving with near wedges that are 6/8 or smaller. The bigger ones just don't do it for me as much. That is saying I still haven't got used to using a big, heavy razor yet. I have a tendency to use more pressure than is necessary with the bigger ones. If a shoulderless razor of any grind fell into my lap I would love it. Most shoulderless blades seem to shave differently to me. These are the biggest blades I have a 7/8 near wedge and a 13/16 1/2 hollow and they both shave beautifully, but I find myself using more pressure than I need to at times. I need to get used to using such a heavy razor.

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Once they learned how to do hollow grinds they made wedges obsolete. Most didn't want a big heavy clumsy meatchopper when they could have a precision instrument. Even Barbers stayed away from them.

Of course they are always holdouts and they continued to make modified wedges and these razors had their fans to an extent.

Of course these razors are now extinct along with their users. It's hard to find anyone who will admit to using one of these artifacts.....Har Har.

I like the Porsche vs Hemi 'Cuda comparison. :)

In the end it's simply different weapons in your arsenal. My Sheffield razors are either full hollow or wedge, nothing inbetween, but I love using them all.

I think it depends on whether the Porsche is a 914 or a 917. I'd go with the lather, I mean latter.

Full hollow for me.

I like them all. In the mornings i have the same issue, Extra Hallow or True Wedge. Always a tough call there all so lovely to shave with.

I like the 1/4 or 1/2 hollows. I don't seem to cut myself as much. The full hollows always draw blood on me.

I like a little heft to my razors. Wedges just seem to fit me.

It's a real toss up. Most of the time I shave with full hollow's and then I break out the Sheffield steel and woah. Awesome smooth shave.

W&B 7/8

Attachment 119328

Joseph Smith 9/8 Chopper (restored and rescaled by myself)

Attachment 119329

W&B 7/8 American Eagle (rescaled by myself)

Attachment 119330

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Once they learned how to do hollow grinds they made wedges obsolete.

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I wonder how much ease of sharpening a hollow ground razor had to do with the demise of wedges. At any rate, I enjoy shaving with both.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course these razors are now extinct along with their users. It's hard to find anyone who will admit to using one of these artifacts.....Har Har.

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This is true ...... SRP members, send your wedges to me and I will dispose of the anachronisms in a safe manner ! Don't thank me, that is just the kind of guy I am. :deal:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is true ...... SRP members, send your wedges to me and I will dispose of the anachronisms in a safe manner ! Don't thank me, that is just the kind of guy I am. :deal:

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I'll take any that dont get sent to Jimmy. I'll even cover shipping costs and make sure they get "laid to rest" properly. ;)

Kinda like my Grandpa at a chicken dinner: "I like the breast, and all the rest!"

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is true ...... SRP members, send your wedges to me and I will dispose of the anachronisms in a safe manner ! Don't thank me, that is just the kind of guy I am. :deal:

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Hey hey now! What about my wedge disposal system. You always have the fun. :boohoo:

I like them all. Yes, each grind presents a different shave experience, but all give me a nice BBS face when they are dialed in. I have a damn near full wedge, 1/4 hollow, hollow, a full, and singing hollow that is so thin, it sometimes feels like a piece of paper, but is hard, wicked sharp, and smooth, as are the rest of blades.
Attachment 119475Attachment 119480

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Originally Posted by jodypress

Joseph Smith 9/8 Chopper (restored and rescaled by myself)

Attachment 119329

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on the discussion of barber notches, that one looks like it was made to be opened one handed, perhaps with a shirt pocket as some have suggested.
interesting.

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Originally Posted by ezpz

on the discussion of barber notches, that one looks like it was made to be opened one handed, perhaps with a shirt pocket as some have suggested.
interesting.

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Could be. Those aren't the original scales. I acquired the Chopper with these scales:

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMAG0331.jpg

I received the scales when I purchased the W&B American Eagle but felt that they didn't suite the blade.

So my first attempt at some restoration started with me hand sanding the blade back to a nice state.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMAG0337.jpg

I tried my hand at making some scales in Camel Bone (really not the best material for first time restorer) and just felt that it didn't suit the blade.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMAG0349.jpg

I'm still not totally satisfied with the scales on the Joseph Smith Chopper and might give it another go of making some in either blond horn or Olivewood.

I love the scales on the W&B American Eagle though.

Both shave superbly though.

I haven't yet shaved with my Joseph Rodgers wedge as I haven't the money to have it restored for a couple of weeks but my little HB&H, although not heavy or a wedge, has a very stiff blade. It's what I like to think of as a decisive razor. It makes the decision to cut whiskers and doesn't think twice about it.

My dovo special leaves the odd rough patch which needs going over.

I am looking forward to giving the wedge a crack.

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Originally Posted by jodypress

It's a real toss up. Most of the time I shave with full hollow's and then I break out the Sheffield steel and woah. Awesome smooth shave.

W&B 7/8

Attachment 119328

Joseph Smith 9/8 Chopper (restored and rescaled by myself)

Attachment 119329

W&B 7/8 American Eagle (rescaled by myself)

Attachment 119330

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Good lord, I am such a sucker for scales made of woods, I am such a fan its crazy. I have no problems at all having every razor i own wedged between some great looking wood :) those are amazing, your very lucky :)!!!!

I don't like these threads because I can't currently afford these types of razors :(

Yes you can. Rice and potatoes are not only affordable, but filling. Get your priorities in order man. :p

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Originally Posted by regularjoe

Yes you can. Rice and potatoes are not only affordable, but filling. Get your priorities in order man. :p

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That sir, made me LOL :D