Why are newbs affraid of wedges? Try one! :)
Everything I read when I first decided to start straight razor shaving said to use a full hollow 5/8" razor. I am still most def a newb as I have only been using my straight for one month (and loving it). I decided to buy a 13/16" sheffield wedge off of Larry and it arrived today. When took it out of the wrapping the first thing I noticed was the weight of the razor and the size (compaird to my 5/8"). I couldn't wait to take it for a test a run. Well let me tell all the newbs... this was my best shave yet. It just sheared the the whiskers away during all three of the passes. The weight also seemed to help with control and pressure.
I asked a very smart man ( Larry :p) 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