Thread: Feeling sharp: Wedge vs Hollows

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

I read somewhere on here that wedgier grinds actually require a little higher of an angle...

I've read that, too.


...And the opposite


IMO all the geometry is the same, so it shouldn't matter...


...YMMV?

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've read that, too.


...And the opposite


IMO all the geometry is the same, so it shouldn't matter...


...YMMV?

Oh GREAT!
Could it be my face just "likes" the hollows better?

I am finding that quarter hollow is my goldilocks grind. Still stiff and heavy, but the edge is relatively fine.

I'd explain it as this: Personal experience and preference.

Even reading through everyone's posts, that's the overarching theme.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

I'd explain it as this: Personal experience and preference.

Even reading through everyone's posts, that's the overarching theme.

That is the conclusion I have come to using various grinds, it is all personal preference.

Bob

I've only shaved with a couple of full hollows. Have a half hollow I'm restoring now and can't wait to find a wedge to fix up and shave with as well. What brands should I be looking for when trying to pick up a cheapish ebay wedge? I know the list of good/bad makers, but who makes most of the wedges?

I guess I'd rather hone a full hollow, but I'd prefer shaving with a 1/4, 1/2 hollow or wedge ..... assuming equal shave readiness. There is something about the stability of the heavier grind that I like. I was talking with a honemeister who has been shaving with straight razors and honing them for 30 years.

This topic came up and I told him I preferred heavier grinds and he said, "REALLY ?" I guess it is a matter of personal preference ....... and subject to change at any time.

Also full hollows are easier to get really sharp, as there is considerably less steel to remove. Because of the flex on full hollows, they are more likely to really dig into the skin at a higher angle. The closer to a wedge a razor gets, the more forgiving it is in that respect, so a higher angle is less of a problem. I find that because of this flex it is easier to get a really smooth result compared to heavier grinds.

And there is also more to different steel than just country of origin. I personally find it very hard to tell how steel differs as I'm not a metallurgist and there's no way I could analyze the steel on my razors, but I do notice rough differences.

Just not exclusively based on country of origin, I find there's difference amongst English razors and amongst Solingen razors. Some Solingen razors at some point were made out of Sheffield steel and vice versa as well, I think. Regarding Swedish razors I notice less fluctuation.