Is a "near wedge" the same thing as a "quarter hollow" grind? Or is this one of those things some people will say yes and others no?
The difference between a wedge and a near-wedge is only material when you hone it. A wedge is hell. A near-wedge is still hell, but a much lesser hell. The feeling on the skin while shaving is not different in my experience.
Agreed, the feel is different between 1/4 and wedge/near-wedge. My comment earlier was that wedge and near-wedge do feel the same to each other however.but there may be a weight/mass difference between a near wedge and 1/4 hollow that does lend a bit of a difference in face feel.
Agreed, the feel is different between 1/4 and wedge/near-wedge. My comment earlier was that wedge and near-wedge do feel the same to each other however.
I have noticed this as well. I think it might have to do with the era their were made which favored softer metals. Also, all the wedges/near-wedge I have are French. I have seen British ones too, but I've never seen a Swedish, German or Japanese one.I feel like most of my near wedges had a softer feel than my 1/4s.
I have noticed this as well. I think it might have to do with the era their were made which favored softer metals. Also, all the wedges/near-wedge I have are French. I have seen British ones too, but I've never seen a Swedish, German or Japanese one.
I's have to look. I remember a Dumas Ainee and the Thiers Issard Torpedo. I have one just marked J.C. I think I saw Rameau Sans too, but I don't know if I ever got one of those. It might be somewhere in the to-do pile.I have seen French Delaye near wedges. What brands are your French near wedges, @totorlekiller?
Most Swedish razor makers came into the game when true wedge razors no longer were made. Then again I do have a wedge Hellberg in my restoration drawer... its been there for years and I guess it'll stay there.I have noticed this as well. I think it might have to do with the era their were made which favored softer metals. Also, all the wedges/near-wedge I have are French. I have seen British ones too, but I've never seen a Swedish, German or Japanese one.
This is true, I think the differences are pretty subtle. For instance, the two Koraat grinds (1/4 hollow and near wedge) are very similar. If you lay a straightedge from the spine to the edge you can see a very slight difference in the way they're curved.It’s good to keep in mind that there are no clearly defined grind profiles, it all depended on the maker and grinder at the time that a particular razor was made. It’s also good to remember that the makers are mostly long gone now, so people who are using the terms (1/4 hollow, near wedge) have nothing to do with the makers or grinders, the grind description is the opinion of someone 100-200 years later who may not be knowledgeable.
The Japanese made a LOT of 1/4 hollow and heavier blades, they’re easy to find.They preferred heavier grinds. A singing Japanese almost doesn’t exist, the Cape 2000 and Tanifuji Favorit are about as close as you’ll get to a thing singing Japanese-made blade.