Thread: The W&B Wedge - Shave Ready

So received my new W&B wedge...wow - what a difference a wedge makes....much heavier blade, can see why they call it a wedge.

Sad thing is, I fell for a rookie mistake, I've never trusted anything that say's, "shave ready" unless it comes from Classic Edge, Phil does a great job. I tested the razor on my arm, off went the hair.

So had to have a shave and against my better judgement, it really didn't feel shave ready, went ahead and for the first time had a terrible shave that left my face red and sore, and stubble all over my face. After all this time I should've known better.

Also, having never used a wedge before, this probably added to the destruction.

It definitely seems to be a different technique to using a wedge, just got back in, and am going to some reading on the forum with regards to shaving with a wedge.

Ohhh and BTW, decided to use the Cat O' Nine Tails Bay Rum Aftershave (you know, the "feel the burn one"), and this time I felt the burn big time.

Any thoughts on shaving with a wedge? Is there any difference?

Thanks!

LESS FEEDBACK. sorry that just came out of the crowd. I have a tendency to ad more pressure to get sound out of it I think. The wedge is more of a feel and no hear for me. Use the force > but not as much.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

LESS FEEDBACK. sorry that just came out of the crowd. I have a tendency to ad more pressure to get sound out of it I think. The wedge is more of a feel and no hear for me. Use the force > but not as much.

Thanks - that makes sense, I wonder if you'd feel electricity through that thing (haha)...the blade is a great heavy lumbering piece of steel ;-), was surprised how heavy the blade is in comparison. Also the fact that it wasn't truly shave ready also rained on the shave parade.

But yes, the wedge seems to be a completely different beast, will take time to tame it....

I find there is a subtle difference in blade angle. It could also be that because of the big blade it seem like a different angle. I didn't groove on them at first. I do like the half hollow. However the 1/4 and near wedges are number one son's blade of choice, so I shaved with one every time I honed a razor for him to use, and eventually found them very nice on occasion and often keep one in my rotation. Like the rest of the blades it's time and sharpness. Sounds like your sharpness is questionable. If it shaves your arm in theory the bevel is good but maybe not much for a polish. Check it with a loupe and if it isn't smooth and shiny I'm sure Phil will fix that.

They shave like any other grind if they have a good edge but it is a different experience. Like you noted next to no audio feedback and very heavy compared to a full hollow. With the blade being heavier than a full hollow you may find you have to adjust the pressure on the blade to the lighter side a bit. You might have to play with the angle a bit too.

I am sure Phil will fix up that edge nicely for you. Seems like there are 2 components to a good edge, sharpness and smoothness. You can have a sharp edge that is harsh and hard on the face. Created a couple of those when learning to hone.

Bob

A wedge is as good as any other razor, just different. As BobH has said, the weight of the blade does all the work. There is no feedback on the strop or the shave, but there is something about shaving with something that old that is kinda cool.

I have a few wedges and they are great shavers. Having used hollows for some time, the feedback is nice. At the end of the day though, I think they all shave the same. Some have said the wedges don't flex while shaving, but if you flex a hollow then you are using too much pressure.

Originally Posted by Grazor

A wedge is as good as any other razor, just different. As BobH has said, the weight of the blade does all the work. There is no feedback on the strop or the shave, but there is something about shaving with something that old that is kinda cool.

Thanks! As I mentioned, not too familiar with wedges, when you say, "old", are wedges traditionally vintage blades, this one, with the original coffin box, is defintely an older blade. Any idea how old this one is:



Thanks!

That's a real gem and I know you'll enjoy it.

+1 on low feedback, light touch and shallower angle. I recently made the short jump from a full hollow ground razor to a half hollow and a wedge. Both razors felt heavy and I doubted they were doing anything; they were doing plenty - just quietly.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

That's a real gem and I know you'll enjoy it.

+1 on low feedback, light touch and shallower angle. I recently made the short jump from a full hollow ground razor to a half hollow and a wedge. Both razors felt heavy and I doubted they were doing anything; they were doing plenty - just quietly.

Thanks for the info.

Just finished using the styptic pen, for the second time, after scratching and causing the nick I got yesterday shaving with it to bleed again. This is the first significant nick I've gotten SRS, and I now have a band aid on my face!

Well, guess we all have to have first blood!

And being after three passes with the wedge, I now know, 18 hours later look like I've not shaved. I think that my determination that the razor, although advertised as, "shave ready" was in fact not.

And what bugs me is, I should've known better!