Thread: Wedge v. Hollow: technique issue or beard issue?

I have to agree with English and the other posters. Sounds like the razor isn't sharp enough. I don't think technique would be an issue if you are getting good shaves with the wedge. I shave with both wedges and full hollows and those in between. I have to be more careful with a heavy wedge then with a lighter full hollow. Maybe it's just different strokes for different folks but that is my experience.

I run a 4-blade rotation and 3 of them are full hollows. The biggest difference I've noticed over the last month of running this rotation is the angle. I go a bit shallower with the full hollows (less than a spine-width) and get fine shaves.

Yes, wedges seem to require a slightly different angle.

If the OP is using the same angle for both, even if the full hollow is sharp it may be doing more scraping than the wedge = discomfort, and also hang-ups

Personally - I get great shaves from both, but I have not used a wedge in a long time.

Cheers
Ivo

I agree with the majority. I think the full hollows make you very aware of weak spots in technique that the heavier blades mask with their dampening bulk. I think you have to be a little more precise with technique when using the hollows - it has to be keen, of course. I used to prefer heavies for this reason, but came to appreciate full hollows as I improved. I still enjoy both, but use full hollows more often now.

Try mastering a full hollow shave, and then see if the wedge shave improves

Jordan

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I know I've said this many times but I'll say it again anyway because it lays to rest the "I need such and such a size or grind to get a good shave with my beard type" attitude.

If you went into a barber shop in the 1940s or 50s when barbers were skilled with using straights to give shaves and did it on a daily basis you would see 5/8s and 6/8s hollow grinds....

And as I've mentioned a few times already, I don't think it's necessary to assume that every barber's customer in those days could expect a comfortable shave each time either. Just because they all used full hollows doesn't mean that they were always the best tool for the job does it?

Originally Posted by jnich67

I agree with the majority. I think the full hollows make you very aware of weak spots in technique that the heavier blades mask with their dampening bulk. I think you have to be a little more precise with technique when using the hollows - it has to be keen, of course. I used to prefer heavies for this reason, but came to appreciate full hollows as I improved. I still enjoy both, but use full hollows more often now.

Try mastering a full hollow shave, and then see if the wedge shave improves

Jordan

Sorry but if I get out with a smooth face with no nicks I don't care what I use..

Since I don't think anyone else has, I'll give you a technique tip that helps me out when using a lighter razor.

You have to hold the razor more firmly. You still let it barely touch your face with no pressure on the facial skin just like normal. With a lighter razor be it a full hollow or just a 3/8 blade you have to provide more of the stiffness and "cutting weight" to the edge, then the razor mows through the hars the same way a heavier one does. The heavier razors just get more of their "cutting weight" from either gravity or the force you must use to control their mass, with the lighter ones you just have to do this deliberatly.

By the way two of my favorite shavers are a 6/8 brick and a 4/8 full hollow, these both have silky buttery feel to them and give BBS equaly as well, they just out perform most of my other razors no matter what the size.

Originally Posted by RichZ

Sorry but if I get out with a smooth face with no nicks I don't care what I use..

I agree to some extent, but you can do the same with a DE or a Trac II for that matter - and I don't think we'll catch you with either of those very often

Jordan

SILKY BUTTERY FEEL. There you have it summed up in a nutshell. At the end of the day, for shaving, that is all that really matters.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Personally, I believe it is a technique thing. I find I have to be much more careful with my technique when shaving with a full hollow. I think it is due to the flex and the finer edge.

I don't shave with full hollows often (none in my rotation), but it would be a good way to check how my own shaving skill is coming alone. A skilled shaver should be able to shave with any (normal) shave ready blade.

PS. I hope your post means the razors I've sent you are shaving well.

Indeed they are!