Thread: Wedge v. Hollow

I just wanted to put up a quick post, as a noob, about my recent wedge experience.

I shaved with a couple hollows, and they were comfortable and smooth. Then I tried a wedge (quarter hollow actually) and it was even more comfortable and smooth. I noticed I had to take a bit more care as it seemed a little less forgiving. However, the smoothness was well worth it.

I've heard a couple people suggest that people with heavier beards might have greater success with wedges. It certainly seems so for me (so far). A little blood the first couple times, but now... Nice. This morning I had a bloodless, BBS shave.

The down side is the odd compulsion to continually touch my face...

Again, its so nice having y'all and this site as a reference. It has helped so much. Thanks again!

I like the heavier grinds too. While I can shave with a 5/8 hollow, I really enjoy the feel of a 6/8 size or larger with a 1/4 hollow grind.

The compulsion to continually touch your face is common.

Good to have you in the forum. Enjoy the journey!!!

You should try all grinds and all sizes and then focus on what you prefer. You can get a great shave from any quality razor no matter the size and grind or your beard type.

I have a pretty heavy beard and have used and enjoyed the results from hollows for quite a long time. When I discovered this site, I read often about how the wedges were better for heavy beards. I have been tempted to try one but my shaves are not wanting for anything else right now. Who knows? Maybe one day I'll give a wedge a try. I'm a little worried that if they are that good, then I will have to replace my entire 3-razor rotation.

I'm glad the medium hollow is working out for you (I'm assuming you're posting about the one I sent you). I'm not much a fan of full hollows; I think my favorite grind might be 6/8 half hollow, but I preferr to err on the side of fuller grinds.

The vast majority of my razors are full hollows or quarter hollows. The only exception is my W&B which is half hollow.
I'm on a transition period now. I got a TI half hollow on the way and I'm hunting for a wedge to restore.
Maybe al the folks start using full hollows because the "starter" razors are more like that and then some make the transition the half hollows or wedges.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You can get a great shave from any quality razor no matter the size and grind or your beard type.

In my experience I have yet to get a great shave from any quality hollow ground razor, but I still have to admit the possibility that my technique has only favored the heavier ground razors. I get better shaves from my lowest performing wedge than from my best performing hollow.

Over the last couple of years (since discovering this forum) I have gone from a 5/8 full hollow to ,Half hollow 5/8 & 6/8, full wedges 5/8 ,6/8 7/8 -singing ground blades 5/8 6/8/7/8 & 8/8 . custom made Meastro Livi 7/8 Thiers Issard 6/8 & 5/8 singing blades plus 5/8 half hollow ,Japanese Tosuke razors ,which I never truly got the hang of & now I am back to 5/8 full hollow again.Its been an enjoyable & interesting evolution . But at last I just may have found out what works for me .
One of the main things I have discovered is how to keep my blades sharp ( Many thanks to the other members here whom are so generous wiht their knowledge & a Massive thanks to Lynn for his truly excellent DVD . everyone who is interested In the straight shave & are looking to a short cut should get hold of a copy of this .In my own humble opinion).
Also the Rad is incurable & there is always another maker to try out .Enjoy .Paul

My favourites ATM are my W&B 7/8 wedge, 1/4 hollow le Grelot Badger and Blade LE (also available from Rasurpur.de and full hollows Puma 6/8 and Filarmonica No 14 (almost 8/8).

You got to try them all, sell what you no longer use (or collect them all).

I like better the feedback i get while stropping and honing from the full hollows but in my case of heavy-coarse beard i get better shaves with the wedges,with a wedge like a red imp132 or double duck satin edge i get bbs with one pass and small touch ups, specially hard parts like my chin become very easy with a well sharpened wedge....the only drawback in my experience is that these wedges i just mentioned are square point and i i have gotten a few NASTY cuts from them.
As you were very well advised the best thing is to try them all and see what works for you, remember to be carefull with the weges square point, respect them.