Thread: wedge burn

Does anyone else find that wedges, especially big wedges, give a great shave but are a little more prone to give you razor burn than hollows?

I know – as with all straight razor issues, it's a question of technique and experience. I'm just curious...

yes.

reduce the angle of the blade to your face its a wedge you know

~J


i also find that my wedges suction ot my face. they plow thru the beard like no other, but i don't like the suction at all. but thats just me

No.

I also notice that a wedge will hang on in a unique manner, but kinda like it. Makes the shave feel like it's happening even closer.

X

That's an interesting suggestion about the angle, I'll give it a thought next time.

People talk about that suction. I guess I don't really feel anything I'd call suction, but maybe it's just a metaphor.

A simple explanation for the razor burn I'm getting with wedges might be that they're forgiving of bad technique. Sloppy angles, thoughtless application of pressure, whatever – you still get a close shave. And they're so smooth and quiet, it's easy to get lulled into thinking all's hunky dory down at the skin level. A hollow by contrast requires continual adjustments and attentiveness to give you a great shave. And for me at least, all the noise and feedback they make keeps me super alert to pressure.

The other possibility is that blade stiffness, which many people count as a plus, has a price in comfort. But I don't think so, because I've never heard the veterans here talking about getting razor burn from their wedges. Though I do seem to recall Lynn saying he liked the wonderedge in part because of its flexiness...

Maybe it needs honing?

It's just been honed. By me. Which means yeah, it could use a honing.

But actually this is that TI wedge I got from you Joe. The first time I used it it gave me the closest shave I've ever had. Amazing. And really comfortable while I was doing it. But then within about 45 minutes my face just bloomed up all pink and splotchy.

Anyway if no one knows what I'm talking about then it's clearly a technique issue and maybe an idiosyncratic one at that...

Originally Posted by dylandog

It's just been honed. By me. Which means yeah, it could use a honing.

-good one!

Wierd, I always thought a wedge gave a more comfortable shave than a hollow ground and was more forgiving in general. Or at least that's what I have found. All that edge flexing with a hollow can cause more irritation a problem you don't have with a wedge.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Wierd, I always thought a wedge gave a more comfortable shave than a hollow ground and was more forgiving in general. Or at least that's what I have found. All that edge flexing with a hollow can cause more irritation a problem you don't have with a wedge.

I've found big wedges more forgiving in that I could get a BBS shave with one when I was about three shaves into straight shaving. But not more forgiving when it comes to the afterglow of mild razor burn, that subtle variety that sneaks up on you long after you've slapped on the proraso and congratulated yourself on a great shave. It's certainly taken me a lot more practice to be able to give myself a good shave with a hollow. But now that my technique has improved hollows are more comfortable. Go figure.

I get the feeling anyway that your experience is more representative.

The particular wedge I'm thinking about is heavy as hell. I have 4/8 and 5/8 wedges neither of which cause this problem. It could be that good technique with this fatty requires what Ilija at the hone would call 'negative pressure'.

Pressure may be the problem. With a really sharp edge you need to use less pressure. Otherwise you will be removing more skin.

Just my two cents,