Thread: Wedge Razor

Probably been asked a million times but will a wedge razor be of more use (cut the hair easier) on gray hairs than hollows Full or extra hollow? thanks Vern777

Ummmmmm.......

When it comes to whisker thickness and toughness..... A lot variables come into play.
I suppose a near wedge would have more heft to it...... And the thinner the blade, the lighter it is.
I think it all really boils down to technique and edge sharpness IMO.

If the edges are equally sharp it should not make a difference, at least it does not for me.

Bob

Thanks for your reply, the reason for a wedge to me is the lower elasticity you would find in the thinner hollow blades. The more stiffer wedge blade kind of makes sense as you say more heft as well. Sharpness is certainly an issue but the last razor I bought was from Lynn Abrams a Dovo 5/8 Prima silver steel (a new purchase) with a very nice edge on it. I also have an older Boker Edelweiss 5/8 with a good edge on it. Thanks again for your reply, I may try a wedge if only for my own clarity and if I do I will report my findings the this board and again thanks I value the information you gave me.

I find a wedge 'more forgiving' to poorer technique than a hollow.
I am on a full or extra hollow 7/8 + kick ATM - and loving it

Thanks for your reply, at my age forgiveness may be a blessing.

It is a different shave from full hollow to a wedge. The wedge is certainly the quietest of the blades. As has been said if the edges are the same it is all about the hand.

I feel like wedges are more forgiving not because of edge sharpness differences, but something about a full hollow when working around my chin or jaw line will catch and dig in to my skin whereas the wedge will roll straight through. Can't help but think it's because of the flexibility of a full hollow blade but I don't know for sure.

For me the thicker the blade the more forgiving to technique it is. the thinner blades for me tend to hop skip or jump if the angle is wrong which leads to a colorful shave. If the edge is sharp and the angle is right then the shave should be about the same but it's very hard for me to keep the angle to the face perfect. Of course the heavier the beard the more resistance the razor will have and the more feel you will have with a very hollow ground blade. Now all this is just my opinion and i have been know to be wrong once or 1K times lately.

Folks have this notion you need a specialized blade to match a beard type. That's nonsense. A proper sharp blade whether a 4/8s hollow or a meat chopper will shave equally well no matter the beard. Now you might prefer a certain blade because of the way it feels and that preference might cause you to use it differently but that's you not the blade.

Keep in mind back in the day barbers didn't keep specialized blades in the shop. Everyone who came in was shaved by the same few blades which were mainly 5/8s and 6/8s hollow grinds and they all got equally good shaves.