Thread: Hollow ground and wedge difference

Wedges are, like, cool!

A word on wedges - not all will feel the same. The Sheffields seem most common. Preferences for steel vary alot. I just tried my first Swedish near wedge this morning, and it was heavenly. 'Best shave from a swede yet, and possibly better than the wacker for me. I've tried 4 sheffield wedges, near wedges, etc. and my face doesn't like them. 'Doesn't make them bad at all - many think they're the ultimate in blades. Your face and preferences will make themselves known over time.

The thing I want to suggest, is that if you continue having issues w/ shave closeness w/ the W & B. Don't conclude wedges are all like that. Many say wedges are silent - give no feedback. This is not true of my Wacker, and now the Swede (Helleborn). They just sing bass instead of soprano. You may wish to use the google map page to look up members near you that might be willing let others try their gear. You can offer yours to try. If you get near Portland, OR, you can come by and sample anything in my rotation.

I'm loving the 1/4 grinds (non-sheffield) and the extra hollows. You'll find what you like best & have many smiles and great shaves as a result.

Enjoy the journey, Don.

Like you, I started with two razors: a wedge and a hollow. For me, the wedge seemed to work, and the hollow just...didn't. So I mainly used the wedge, for quite a long time. After a while, I tried the hollow again, and somehow magically I got a great shave. The only thing that happened in that time was that my technique improved (shaving, stropping, and lather-making). Now I have a bunch of razors, some wedges and some hollows (mostly hollows!) and all shave very well. Is there a slight difference in how I use each razor over the other? Probably, but so small I couldn't explain it. It all just takes practice.

I suspect that for each individual person (their hands, their face, and their beard) some razors will be "easier" to start out on than others. Use what works for you. Once you are more comfortable with the whole shaving process, then you can venture out and try new things, and you will likely not be disappointed.

I have only a handful of straight razors, but they all vary in grinds, size and steel. So the wedge is just another slightly different razor in the group. They all shave well when honed correctly and I enjoy shaving with all of them.

Pabster

Originally Posted by Streetprowler

I never tried a wedge - aren't they more difficult to maintain? Especially honing?

Depending on your hand and hones a wedge can hone up
better because it does not flex as much as some
of the full hollow blades. Eventually is will not mater.

They will also feel very different in your hand and
on your face especially at first. A full hollow can
be light as a feather when compared to a half
hollow or a wedge. Since we hold the blade
at a mechanical disadvantage that extra mass
is amplified. After a while you will no longer
feel the weight but you will feel the sharpness.

A full hollow singing blade shaves me best when
I lower the angle so it sings as softly as possible.