Super Silent Shave Question

Below is a 7/8 W&B American Razor that I recently received, cleaned up, set the bevel and honed up to a 12k Naniwa. Just used it for the second time. I am now thinking this is a wedge, as opposed to a near wedge like I first thought. Anyhow, the shave was silent, as in no noise. Also, it feels like I'm using the spine of a butter knife, i.e., not sharp. There is no pulling or tugging, even where my stubble is at the heaviest. So I did a one pass, multi-directional, with a little touch up on the chin, and I am BBS. This razor is also very quiet when I strop it.

No feedback on the strop or face, but getting an excellent shave. Anyone else have this experience with a wedge? The other heavy blade I have is a 6/8 Hart, which is a quarter grind, and i get feedback with it, on the strop and face; although, it's not as loud as the hollows that I have. Let me know how much noise, if any, your wedges make. Thank you.
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Yes, it is a reasonably common phenomenon on the wedgier grinds. Nice looking razor!

James.

Wedges and near wedges are very silent when compared to full or extra hollow. Nice razor!

Thank you razorguy and Jimbo, that's what I'm thinking. It's such a different experience, and, for me, the extreme opposite of a 6/8 Dubl Duck Goldedge, square point that I picked up which gives the loudest shave of my 6 razors, but the result is the same. Yes, I am really liking this pre-1890 Wade & Butcher. Thanks again.

Love the 'Silence of The Wedges'

Stealth techonology was based on wedge razors. Little known fact. Oops, men in dark suits and sunglasses at the door!

Nice looking razor, and you remind me, again, that I simply MUST get myself a wedge to try at some point.

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Originally Posted by ANelson

Nice looking razor, and you remind me, again, that I simply MUST get myself a wedge to try at some point.

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In my opinion, everyone should try every possible grind, point and size. You use a Wedge in a different way from an Extra Hollow. Every grind has something good to teach about shaving.

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Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

... I am now thinking this is a wedge, as opposed to a near wedge like I first thought....
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I bet you were right originally.
The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Handsome old gal, St8.

My fav blades are the heavy grinds (1/4h - near wedge) and the extra hollows. My first heavy was the 1/4 h. Wacker. It was NOT silent. Rather chatty, actually. I was in love. I then tried several sheffields - over 3dz at this point, and concluded I only like heavies that talk. Most don't, but when you get one that does - you're a gonner. Satinwedge, Imp, Spike, Temperite - no feedback, so I don't keep them. The Swedish heavies are likely the best bang for the heavy buck in town - if you can find one. They go toe to toe w/ the Wackers at 1/3 the cost. I gave up on sheffields. 'Don't like 'em. The one old T.I. heavy I tried felt like it was a sheffield in disguise (used sheffield steel). Now the majority of guys LOVE their sheffields. I'm just the odd man out here. If you try a 1/4 h. Wacker, or the near wedge Keilschliff - its over. You're ruined for silent blades.

Hey pinklather, we haven't been in the same thread in a while!

Interesting description of blades and preferences. I think my tastes are evolving in that same direction. I don't care if it's silent, I do care if it's a bear to hone, and I prefer partial hollows. I like the steadiness that comes from a massive spine. Steadiness and ease of honing. I'll start paying attention to chattiness and see how much it matters to me.

Best wishes to you all

p.s. there's a picture of Wullie somewhere in the forums; I think he's a Swedish heavy.

I am currently sitting on a plane right now that will be headed to So Cal shortly. I was up at an ungodly hour to make this flight, so I used this super silent W&B for this morning's shave so as not to unnecessarily wake my sleeping wife. Wow, this third shave with his wedge was better than the first. It amazes me how smooth and soft feeling these old Sheffield blades are. BBS, and I didn't wake the wife!

Just an observation. The Hart has a fairly sharp corner on the spine (at least, mine does) and the spine offers a LOT of feedback on my strops. I don't expect a similar feedback on any rounded spine razor.

I think you're correct about the spine/shoulder of the Hart. The feedback I get is from dragging the bevel/edge across the leather. The thinner the grind, the more that cold steel sings. My TI and Dbdl Duck ring on that strop.

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Originally Posted by Lazarus

I bet you were right originally.
The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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Yes, you are correct, this blade is a near wedge. I am really liking it.

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Originally Posted by pinklather

Handsome old gal, St8.

My fav blades are the heavy grinds (1/4h - near wedge) and the extra hollows. My first heavy was the 1/4 h. Wacker. It was NOT silent. Rather chatty, actually. I was in love. I then tried several sheffields - over 3dz at this point, and concluded I only like heavies that talk. Most don't, but when you get one that does - you're a gonner. Satinwedge, Imp, Spike, Temperite - no feedback, so I don't keep them. The Swedish heavies are likely the best bang for the heavy buck in town - if you can find one. They go toe to toe w/ the Wackers at 1/3 the cost. I gave up on sheffields. 'Don't like 'em. The one old T.I. heavy I tried felt like it was a sheffield in disguise (used sheffield steel). Now the majority of guys LOVE their sheffields. I'm just the odd man out here. If you try a 1/4 h. Wacker, or the near wedge Keilschliff - its over. You're ruined for silent blades.

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I'm a huge fan of the Wedges. What is the name of some of these "Sweedish heavies" so I could find one on ebay or maybe a suggestion of where to look elsewhere? Thanx

My old sheffield wedge doesnt even feel likes its being stropped its that quiet! I have to make sure i dont start pressing it against the leather to try and get some reaction out of it LOL.

I love the face squeejees :p Most of my rotation are 1850's ish near wedges and it always gets me when I branch out and use one of my full hollows, noisey buggers :p