Hollow ground and wedge difference

I just got my razors back from Glen last week. I had a Wade and Butcher Wedge restored, and a Pure Simon Solingen hollow ground sharpened. I waited until Saturday to test drive these razors because I wanted to be able to take my time and not be in a hurry to get out the door. I made sure my prep was good and used my Bigelow cream. I started with the Pure Simon and was doing real good it was shaving nice and smooth and close. I then switched to the W&B, and was surprised to find that I wasn't getting as smooth and close of a shave. I ended up finishing with the Pure Simon and was satisfied with my first real attempt at straight shaving. The question is, is there a technique to get the smooth shave with a wedge, or is it just my inexperience. Should I use the Pure Simon to gain the experience, then have another go with the wedge?

It doesn't matter if you shave with a wedge or hollow ground razor. The technique stays the same. The main reason there's so many different grinds is because we all have different beard types (and skin). In general if you have a very coarse, wired beard one would use a wedge. If you have a very normal beard type and usually sensitive skin a hollow ground razor would suit you best. This is just a general consensus. In the end you have to find for yourself what you prefer and what shaves you better. For me personally a full hollow shave me the best and closest.

Use one razor per shave...I promise you that as long as you didn't molest the blades you had Glen to hone, they are ready to mow any whiskers down...especially if it's a wedge. A wedge will just seem to wipe whiskers away. The hollow you will normally hear and feel more feedback in the shaving hand.

I prefer full hollow than wedge.

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

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Originally Posted by Streetprowler

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

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In my experience, once the bevel is set, honing a wedge is no different from honing a full hollow. Sure, wedges have a reputation for taking forever to set the bevel, but that is because, if you take a wedge and a full hollow and both appear to be at the same starting point, the wedge will require more honing simply because there is more steel to remove to make the same amount of progress towards a set bevel.

I find that wedges tend to be more forgiving of poor shave technique - mostly because they don't jump and skip like a full hollow might since they don't flex. But that impression probably varies from shaver to shaver.

As above, it is my opinion that once you are a proficient shaver, you should be able to get a great shave with anything that is shave ready.

It is possible that your perception of difficulty comes from the weight. I remember when I first shaved with a heavy razor I found myself running a steeper angle and had to make a conscious effort to keep my angle proper, I also found myself applying more pressure to overcome the mass. This is a minor hindrance and is easily overcome with time and experience.

The first couple of times I shaved with a wedge I thought the same thing, that it wasn't shaving the same as my full hollowed razors. But keep in mind, especially if the wedge is a big razor, like 7/8 or larger, that what you think is the proper shaving angle may be quite a bit shallower. You can try opening up your angle a bit, that will likely help. Just remember that a wedge is quite a bit heavier than a hollow, so just let the weight of the blade do the work for you.

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Originally Posted by Streetprowler

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

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To a large degree regarding honing, yes. This is why I prefer a near wedge to a full wedge.

Aha! I knew it! I have too many hollow ground razors that I don't see the need to look for a wedge. Now, if one just happens to cross my path...

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

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Originally Posted by Streetprowler

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

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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.