Thread: Are wedges easier on the skin?

I just finished my second shave ever with a near-wedge. First time was about two weekends ago when I was testing a few razors that I had honed. I really thought I messed up the edge because it felt so different. Wanted to find out for sure by using it exclusively one time before I went back to honing it again. It feels silky smooth going across my face and the edge was plenty sharp.

Does anybody else find wedges to be softer when shaving? I've been using several various hollow grinds, at least four of which have been honed by professionals. This is a Kinfolks Wedge that I cleaned and sharpened myself and it feels very different than all my others. When I talk about how it feels, I mean during the actual shave. The end result is the same as my other razors, it's just the during part that feels softer.

I prefer a hollow ground. I love the sound...

But to each his/her own.

Originally Posted by commiecat

I just finished my second shave ever with a near-wedge. First time was about two weekends ago when I was testing a few razors that I had honed. I really thought I messed up the edge because it felt so different. Wanted to find out for sure by using it exclusively one time before I went back to honing it again. It feels silky smooth going across my face and the edge was plenty sharp.

Does anybody else find wedges to be softer when shaving? I've been using several various hollow grinds, at least four of which have been honed by professionals. This is a Kinfolks Wedge that I cleaned and sharpened myself and it feels very different than all my others. When I talk about how it feels, I mean during the actual shave. The end result is the same as my other razors, it's just the during part that feels softer.

I don't notice much difference except from the weight of wedges. Generally they are heavier and require less pressure. I guess that could result in being easier on the skin.

Because of the grind they feel totally different. I don't think one is easier or not on the skin or performs better. I prefer hollow grinds because you get feedback.

Some just like the feel of a Wedge over all the hollow types. It does feel cool for me to let the weight of the big razors do some of the work with the help of gravity.

In the end, what matters the most is did I get a kick butt BBS shave!

Pabster

I think the answer to that problem is based on two things. First your skill level, you can get a smoother shave with a little less technique with wedges and heavier grinds compared to full hollows. Having said that you could dull one real quick if you abandon good technique. Many of us with heavy beards find heavy grinds easier and smoother than very hollow. I shave now almost all the time with wedges, but once in a while I will use a very light razor just to keep my skills up and make sure I don't get bad habbits.
mike

Originally Posted by Kingfish

I think the answer to that problem is based on two things. First your skill level, you can get a smoother shave with a little less technique with wedges and heavier grinds compared to full hollows. Having said that you could dull one real quick if you abandon good technique. Many of us with heavy beards find heavy grinds easier and smoother than very hollow. I shave now almost all the time with wedges, but once in a while I will use a very light razor just to keep my skills up and make sure I don't get bad habbits.
mike

This is the key and I agree. Heavier grinds are more forgiving than full hollows. You can use more pressure (though you don't need to) and you will be less likely to get a nick. I imagine it has everything to do with surface area. While still only one part of the blade (the very edge) does the cutting, with a wedge, the metal around the edge also touches the skin giving you more surface area. And as we know from science class, more surface area = less pressure.

Am I way off here? I'm just going by feel but it makes sense. With a hollow grind, just that edge is gliding across your skin.

I think I'm going to agree too. the skill level with a full hollow, and for me smaller blade, needs to be good. especially if you're not doing that long relaxed shave but the getting ready in the morning whip it out shave.

I too prefer wedges, which is interesting since I don't have one right now. I think that shaving with a wedge takes it's own technique too, at least large wedges. the weight is there, so not only do you not need pressure, you need negative pressure if that makes sense. to keep it from having too much cutting pressure. I also find that a second pass isn't as easy on the skin as with a hollow.

I think the reason a hollow takes more skill, for me at least, is that I am giving it that pressure, so the angle, direction, amount of pressure, all has to be perfect because there is that force behind it.

I'm really wanting a big wedge though.

Red

I still prefer shaving with a razor that is not a full hollow, all else being equal

I find myself preferring hollow blades although I have what I consider a heavy beard (I won the town's award for "fullest beard" in the beard growing contest last year. Ahh the placid life of the small town Wisconsin!) and I don't consider myself particularly skillful. I do like blades that have more heft. Examples would be my Bismark, Renaissance, Revisor 6/8 shoulderless, 6/8 Dovo Fritz Bracht, etc. I kind of let the weight of the razor do the work and I worry about providing the stretch and angle.