Thread: Wedge Razors

I recently acquired a near wedge Wostenholm Pipe razor. Does any one find that wedge razors have difficulty with some spots? I mean, overall, it has been a fantastic razor but does not seem to get the nooks and crannies that well.

The only real difference I have noticed with a wedge grind is there's a bit more weight and a bit less noise when shaving. The actual shave itself, and whether the razor is able to get all areas of your face equally well, really shouldn't be dependent on the grind.

That kind of issue is usually more to do with the physical size of the blade IME. Does it happen to be a bigger blade than you are used to?

James.

Nope, it is a approximately a 5/8 so it is not a big blade. I generally use a 5/8 to 6/8 razor. I mean it does shave great but it really does not trace some parts of my face well, such as my goatee area.

OK, well the other thing is the shape of the blade. What does it do at the heel and toe? Some of the older blades have heels that curve around a lot before the actual bevel begins, and that can cause some issues with precision until you work out exactly where the edge begins and how to account for it in your shaves.

Honestly, the only way the wedge grind would effect the actual cutting of hairs is if it was underhoned due to the greater amount of steel on a wedge. But then you'd be noticing the effect in all areas, not just the tricky parts. This is definitely a blade shape issue, not a grind issue IMO.

The other thing that could be happening is that the heel and toe portions of the edge are not quite honed well enough. Do you happen to use these parts of the blade for the "tricky" areas?

James.

It is an older blade with a curved spine, or smile. I did have some difficulties honing it. So it might be that heel is not 100%. It does a good job on arm hairs. The blade also does a great job on my cheeks and neck area. Idk, maybe I'm just not proficient at handling it.