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So I decided to try the other end of the grind scale and bought a wedge by A. Wilson & Son, up until now all the razors I own are full hollows.
This next bit may seem like a really dumb Newbie question. Do I need to use any different kind of method when using a wedge instead of a full hollow.
Thanks in advance gents.
No difference in the technique at all. The same edge is doing the cutting. It wont flex at all when you are shaving with it. Extra and full hollows do but if they flex you are using too much pressure. I found them to be better shavers when I first started but now they all shave the same. My favorite size is a 6/8 round tip hollow, I like the feedback.
As far as I am concerned, no difference at all. Besides what you may like better, a wedge is as good as an extra hollow. It certainly need a slight different technique, but it however does it great job.
Then it comes the way it feels on your skin and this, too, is a matter of personal preference. They simply feel different and give different feedback during shaving.
I think most of the difference (for me at least) was the difference in feeling to my hands. The difference in weight (heft) lead me to try and shave with more or less pressure. This should be resisted. The same pressure is appropriate even though the blade weight may change and gravity may seem to offer more assistance with more massive blades;)
Shaving-wise, the heavy grind seems to tolerate pressure. That doesn't mean its a good idea to use pressure - they shave wonderfully w/out. They also tolerate a wider cutting angle. I'm not familiar w/ the blade you mention, but its a myth that heavy grinds have no feedback. How they're honed makes alot of difference. Experimentation is ongoing, but even the heavy sheffields have found they have a voice. The question now is can they keep it. 8/10 blades in my rotation are heavies. I love them - but only if they give feedback. Those owners of the Robert Williams SRP special can tell you that they're quite capable of feedback. Others are too. I tend to grab a heavy when I'm lazy or have less time than normal. The shaves are friendly, not fussy, and able to mow the heaviest timber without breaking a sweat. The other end of the grind spectrum is capable of the mowing, but would be a bit more demanding of technique.
Great thank you for the help and info. I hope one day I can gain enough correct knowledge that I can be as helpful to someone here as everyone has been to me.
So far I love my 5/8 dovo olivewood with stainless inox blade and my 13/16 ERN both with round tip full hollow, best shaves i've ever had, but that's also my problem that's the only type i've tried.
The A. Wilson & Son is a 6/8 square point wedge so looking forward to trying it. Will have to wait though as its just about to go in the post to Neil Miller at The Strop Shop for honing.
Thanks Pinklather,
As always a fountain of excellant info and advice from first hand experiance.
This A. Wilson & Son is a 6/8 square point Sheffield and is a lot heavier in the hand than my full hollow ERN or Dovo. Haven't shaved with it yet as its going out for honing.
Hi Ivo.
It really does make me happy when I can be of help.
I think you'll be *very* happy w/ the edge when Neil gets done with it. 'Last few times I looked, the only strops Neill had on the site that had *real* (flax fiber) linen were on his high-end strops. He used to have "linen only" strops for about 35 pounds (euros?). I was fortunate enough to get a lovely (and long) piece of his linen, and its the first fabric component I've been impressed with. If he offers them again, I'd consider getting one.
On helping others - you'll get your turn. I was a slow, headstrong beginner that made every mistake imaginable. If it was expensive - I make it several times. The guys here have been so patient and kind to me I can't thank them enough. Trying to honor their kindness by doing what I can only seems right.
'Hope you just have a wonderful time learning. Outsiders (non-str8 users) can think we're strange, but we're loving our shaves - and they're not. :) Enjoy, my friend.
FWIW, I've found that the overwhelming difference between shaving with a full-hollow razor and shaving with a half/quarter-hollow|(near-)wedge is that with a full-hollow my "technique" is dedicated to avoidance -- avoiding that inevitable cut; while with a stiff(er) grind it's all about "method". This also holds true for square/spike points -- for me, they're "avoidance" traps; but not so with French/oblique/round points.
The wedge gives me less, if any, noise or sound feedback as it shaves, as compared to the full hollows. The shaves are equally good though.
Yep..no feed back on the strop or with the shave
I have honed modern custom wedges and stub-tailed Sheffield wedges. I get feedback on the hones, the strop, and on the beard.
I'm at a loss as to why others report the opposite. They have a slightly more subtle language than a singing extra hollow, but they definitely speak....that said, I have not tried them ALL;)
I don't have any true wedges just a couple of near wedges, a very slight concavity to the blade, and there seems to be minor slight differences to my full hollows. Both are nearly silent when shaving, seem to tolerate more of an angle when shaving and I leave the strop slightly slacker when stropping them but still get feed back from them while stropping.
Bob
quote "I get feedback on the hones, the strop, and on the beard. They have a slightly more subtle language than a singing extra hollow, but they definitely speak...."
Mine sings, but subtle like you said. Sotto voce bass of the wedge vs. tenor of the hollows.
I've used the identical comparison, Berthold. 'More subdued, but still unmistakeable.Thx.
Quoted for excellence.Quote:
Originally Posted by Berthold
I find that using a wedge makes me use more 'deliberate' movements because of the additional weight of the blade.
If I wave it around like my hollow grinds I inevitably give myself a little cut - just additional respect for the blade is needed
Just revisiting an old thread. Now shaved a couple of times with the above wedge after Neil at the strop shop did an excellent job honing it for me and wow what a great razor I can get much closer 1st and 2nd passes, when compared to my full hollow Dovo. I suspect that maybe because of me lacking experiance and total skill will the Dovo.
It also despite the extra weight it seems much easier to strop properly and I love the way after i've been at sea for a week it will munch through anything.
A razor with a sharp and good edge always makes a difference. What makes an even more huge difference is to keep the edge at its best. Yes, a good and experienced hand while shaving and stropping - of course, while honing, too - but a dull razor will not get you anywhere.
Then you still have to consider the anatomy of your face and characteristics of your beard: they are all equally important factors, not matter the hollow.
It is great to know about your achievement: keep on doing the right job! :tu
I'm glad this thread came up , I got a 7/8 J Rodgers a while back and the first time I used it, it nicked me pretty good and has me cowed a little to the point that I haven't used it since. After reading this thread I'm thinking I inadvertently was using too much pressure because of the added weight of the blade. I'll have to try it again as it is a beautiful razor. Can't be having more problems or they'll be calling me scarface:D