How to use wedge razor

[JoeyGargano]

Hi,

Can anyone give me the benefit of their experience of shaving with a wedge. Are there any nuances in technique different to that of using a full hollow.
I acquired a John Wragg hollow on one side only (is this what's known as a single wedge?). I've restored and honed it to the point of a test shave but have never used one before.
I'm also curious about wether you can shave with the flat side out, it says LH on the tang.
As an aside does anyone know anything about the manufacturer, I have been unable to find out very much other than they were a Shefield company.

Joey

[singlewedge]

Thanks for the moniker. Nope. That is a microtome. Used for specimen slicing in labs and hospitals.

They work great and shave just like a normal str8 just put the flat side to your face.

Did you use a 3 stroke on the concave to 1 stroke on the flat method for honing?

[JimmyHAD]

I bought a microtome when the seller only showed the hollow side in the photo on ebay. Turned my lemon into lemonade. Here is the post explaining what worked for me. YMMV.

[JoeyGargano]

Wow!!!!
This site never fails to impress the wealth of knowledge out there.
Didn't know there was such a thing as a microtome?????
Talk about new learning. To singlewedge all I did was a 45 degree x pattern 1k/4k/8k norton then to yellow belgium circa 70 laps water only no ratio (please enlighten). To be honest the thing was in pretty bad shape and realy required a regrind. however I persevered and removed a snot load of metal from the wedge side, still hollows left at toe and heal not on cutting edge (considered breadknifing at one point).
There was some real brown temper spots evident and this I think has distorted the blade ergo wide bevel at toe and heel.
All said and done it does pass the HHT and just begun to smooth out on the thumb pad test.
I'll have to become left handed if the hollow must be on the outside.
Do you know anyone who would want to regrind this baby, do you think it is necessary??

Joey

[singlewedge]

PIctures will help. THanks.

[JoeyGargano]

Hi singlewedge here are the pictures. (hope I've uploaded ok).

Sorry about quality, but you can get an idea of distortion from the wide bevel on ends of blade and hollow spots on flat side.

Might turn out to be a lemon if it's lost it's temper, will have to see if it can hold an edge. The ambitions for this blade were only ever for it to be a worker and to increase my rotation rather than be a looker.

Joey

[Johnny J]

Hi,

Can anyone give me the benefit of their experience of shaving with a wedge. Are there any nuances in technique different to that of using a full hollow.

To answer this part of the question: if you have a very heavy beard as I do, the heft & weight of the wedge plows through all obstacles while allowing you to keep a light grip on the razor. With a full hollow, I have to exert more finger-pressure to control it, so I'm a little more likely to nick myself. I can do just as good a job with a hollow, but I prefer the feel of a wedge. The price you will pay for this is that wedges are significantly more work to sharpen.