Thread: Why are newbs affraid of wedges? Try one! :)

No feed back from wedges. Hollows give feedback. It's simple.

I've only been here three months, but I do use alot of different razors. I think our more experienced brethren know the score on this one. It's just a technique thing. I also never saw anybody say anything about being afraid of a wedge. But hey, I'm only on SRP. There's a whole big world out there...I hear.

Originally Posted by sidekick101

....snip...
I asked a very smart man ( Larry ) what was the best razor for a newb. The reply was simple and easy to follow. He told me that; "there is no such thing as athe best kind to start with. You just have to try as many as you can". Following his advise I went against what everyone told me, had the best shave yet, the fastest shave, and the only shave where there was not one nick on my face.

So to all you newbs out there... dont be affraid to try somehting new (even if it's a wedge)

Nick

+1

I might note that new true wedges are not made today
in any quantity and the old ones are difficult to hone correctly the
first time because of their history. There are rare exceptions.

Having said that I might add that once honed they can be maintained
with ease using modern hones.

I think the heavy blades hone better for beginners because
they are less flexible and thus less sensitive to uneven
pressure.

The Dovo Best quality half hollow or full hollow are
great bargains, 5/8 or 6/8.

Maybe it's just me but as a total rookie, the only things that mattered was the angle of the blade (which seemed pretty easy to get right with the wedge, since I could place the blade flat, feeling a lot of metal, and then increase the angle just a bit) and the pressure. The heft of the wedge made it easier to hold it lightly and just let gravity kick in, so to speak. With a lighter blade, you have to push a little more. That difference in pressure, for me, when I was new to holding a razor, was difficult to master because my fine motor skills just weren't used to it. Thus it was easier for me to shave with the wedge - call it the "training wheel effect."

I'm not saying this is the only or the best way to start. All I'm saying is it's a method with some reasoning behind it and it seems to work for some people. If starting with a wedge and having "bad" technique for a while leads you to eventually have good technique with any blade, I can't see how that's a bad thing.

I've had a number of customers who have settled on wedges for the weight. Their reasons have centered on their beards being so wiry they needed something with more stiffness and weight to get through the beard. Makes sense. Personally, I've a medium beard and find the wedges a bit overpowering.

I think that the wedge perfect for the beginners. Which is important, a good honing, and perfect sharpen of the straight. On weekdays I use hollow ground straights, because this results better for the every day shaving. On weekend I shave only Sunday, and in which time the wedge ground gives perfect result.

.02c
I appreciate most all of my razors for different reasons, (and I am a newer SR shaver) and I am excitedly using my oldest blade this last week, a Clark & Hall smiling wedge (1780-1820). I am in awe that a tool that old can deliver a result so well! It's an absolute pleasure to shave with, and will probably remain in my heavier rotation for a while. I also feel like dialing it in (carefully!)with my rocks really built my honing confidence. Original scales, unbuffed, perfect in a rustic way...

I started with various 1/2 and full hollows. The work great and to provide audible feedback, but this Spike (sticking with my Made in USA them ) is really something. It took a little work on the 1K to get the bevel, but after finishing shaves like an absolute dream. The weight really helps remind me to let it do the work.

Beginner's razor? With a good edge, why not? I guess I wouldn't recommend waiting to find one, but if you stumble on it for $15 like I did, go for it!

I haven't tried a wedge yet, but I want too. You probably want to keep in mind that your first shave experience with the wedge was probably enhanced by Larry's honing before he shipped it.....the wedge's edge might have been better than the one you were using before.