Thread: Smiling Wedge Technique

Hello mates,
I have a W&B 7/8 wedge on the way and was curious if the shave technique changes for a smiling wedge. I currently use a Hart Steel 7/8 rounded which I'm starting to shave rather decent with now. When shaving the sides of the face and keeping a somewhat constant 30 degree angle, I can feel the entire edge in contact with the skin, cutting hair.

Looking at the smiling blade, it seems to me the entire razor's edge will not be in contact with the skin. I'm curious if that is true. Also, is there any advantage gained or lost by using a smiling wedge? Thanks.

'Seems to be the case, Gus. Its rare that the entire blade would contact the skin on a straight edge also - unless your face has perfectly flat cheek areas, or you're using more pressure than advisable. The Smile also imparts a bit of angle to the edge contacting the stubble - which is what the advanced strokes 'scything or guillotine' strokes are about. The more radical the smile, the more the blade initiates its cut/shear at a glancing angle to the stubble. While the old barber manuals caution their students about a frown - that it 'pulls', they don't seem to talk about the beneficial effect of the smile. They seem to have more potential for smoothness, IMO.

On the cheeks the width of to swipe will be reduced a little depending on how much smile there is. The big difference, to me, is how they fit into the hollows on the neck, allowing shave directions that are difficult with a straight edge. You won't have any trouble adapting the shave, it's all very natural. With a large smile, stropping is a little different. YMMV

In my experience, any smiling blade is a pleasure to use. I don't really change my technique at all, I let the blade do what it likes, and eventually, at least in my case, you'll learn to feel the difference. I find the smiling blades work best, and feel the best, on the neck area for the ATG pass...either way, like all blades, each is unique and a joy to use.

My experience is that smiling blades are quite easy to shave with. I have some with absolutely straight blades, and they shave fine as well, but they do seem to require a bit more caution.

+1 for the smiling blades being better especially on the neck area in the hollows
I must note I have not ever nicked myself with a smiling blade either, this may just be luck also
Shaved with a John S. Holler Celebrated 6/8" smiling wedge this morning fresh of last nights hones
I do love the heavier blades.
you won't disappointed when honed up right
but yes they are a whole different animal to hone those curves

Just wanted to touch on the idea that the entire edge needs to be in contact with the skin - in fact that is the exception not the rule, at least for me. I might get the entire edge hitting on the cheek area but that's it. Most of the time I angle the razor so that the tip part, or the heel part, or some varying proportion of those parts, are doing the shaving.

So straight edge or smile shouldn't matter. In fact, as people have alluded to, there's been some historical preference for smilers in terms of giving good shaves - I haven't noticed a marked difference, but I do seem to recall reading in some old barber's manuals that they suggest honing to develop a smile over time. I always thought it had to do with making it safer when someone is shaving another person, but maybe not.

James.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

On the cheeks the width of to swipe will be reduced a little depending on how much smile there is. The big difference, to me, is how they fit into the hollows on the neck, allowing shave directions that are difficult with a straight edge. You won't have any trouble adapting the shave, it's all very natural. With a large smile, stropping is a little different. YMMV

Agree 100%. Yesterday I make myself a cut just at the right hollow on the neck with the point of my SR, that is a not smiling one. I guess that if my SR had been a smiling one probably I would be with a cut less in my face.