Wedge vs. wide blades

[mwhitcraft]

I just shaved with a wedge grind for the first time this morning. It was truly a wonderful experience and I ended up with very close to BBS, which is rare for me. There are some areas on my face that just seem to never get smooth, no matter how many times I go over them. The wedge seemed to power thought these areas.

The razor is a Henckles 5/8 and I was able to get a pretty decent edge on it (I'm not nearly as good at honing as many members here are, but I am still working on it). I tend to think that the wedge had more to do with my good experience than the edge, because it was not that different from the edges I usually get. Just a little bit keener.

The feel of the wedge was also interesting. Less noise and much less "delicate." More rustic and I would almost say more manly.

I have heard that wider blades (in the 8/8 range) also, due to the added weight, power through rougher whiskers in a similar way, albeit without the "rustic" feel.

Could you please compare the differences between a thinner wedge and a wider blade with say a 1/2 hollow grind? Thank you in advance!

 

[noahpictures]

Where are the pics?

I like heavy grind razors (wedge, near wedge, 1/4 hollow). I have a couple of big blades that plow through whiskers (8/8 and 15/16) but they're full hollow not half hollow. Actually half hollow razors are more rare than wedges and full hollow. I have a Friodur 5/8, 1/4 hollow that shaves as well as well as a 7/8 fh.

This is a huge YMMV thing. You might like them all after a while.

 

[Wullie]

I too prefer the heavier grinds. I've several "big irons" from 7/8 to 9/8 in wedge like grinds. Probably closer to 1/4 hollow than wedge though. I also have a 5/8 1/4 hollow that is very nice to shave to shave with.

I've got an 8/8 full hollow that shaves nothing the others. IT's a Greaves that I suspect was re-ground. Blade is pretty stiff but it doesn't act the older Greaves razors I have that are closer to a wedge.

I am seriously thinking of getting rid of most my full hollows and buying more heavier grind razors. Maybe it's just my technique, but I can shave every day with a full hollow or every other day with a heavier grind and feel about as scratchy. Probably me, but I LIKE THE BIG GUNS!

Some of my "lesser" blades. LOL Although the Freddy R on the left is an 8/8 at the very toe.

 

[mwhitcraft]

I too prefer the heavier grinds. I've several "big irons" from 7/8 to 9/8 in wedge like grinds. Probably closer to 1/4 hollow than wedge though. I also have a 5/8 1/4 hollow that is very nice to shave to shave with.

I've got an 8/8 full hollow that shaves nothing the others. IT's a Greaves that I suspect was re-ground. Blade is pretty stiff but it doesn't act the older Greaves razors I have that are closer to a wedge.

I am seriously thinking of getting rid of most my full hollows and buying more heavier grind razors. Maybe it's just my technique, but I can shave every day with a full hollow or every other day with a heavier grind and feel about as scratchy. Probably me, but I LIKE THE BIG GUNS!

Some of my "lesser" blades. LOL Although the Freddy R on the left is an 8/8 at the very toe.

Thanks for the input. You have a beautiful collection. I too do not like full hollow grinds. My favorite razor at this point is my half-hollow TI, which has a 6/8 blade.

The reason I'm posting this is because I have a big 9/8 chopper on order from a custom maker on this forum and I am considering asking him to grind my blade in 1/4 hollow instead of 1/2 hollow. Before doing so, I want to weigh my choices and if the 9/8 blade will make up in stiffness for the more hollow grind, I will keep things the way they are. If not, I would like to get the heavier grind.

 

[mycarver]

As I've said in other posts,, I too love wedge or near wedge blades. As you've said they seem to just power though stubble almost silently and with a solid efficiency. They just don't seem as 'twitchy' as other blades.
The display above looks like an array of my favorite blades which have almost taken up permanent residence in my bathroom. Very cool. I too have some Greaves, Lister Knowles, Elliots etc. and I wouldn't trade ( or sell) them for the world. When testing new blades I always have a wedge waiting in the wings just in case.

 

[professorchaos]

I enjoy small wedges and large hollow grinds but not small hollow grinds and large wedges. For whatever that's worth.

 

[global_dev]

Thanks for the input. You have a beautiful collection. I too do not like full hollow grinds. My favorite razor at this point is my half-hollow TI, which has a 6/8 blade.

The reason I'm posting this is because I have a big 9/8 chopper on order from a custom maker on this forum and I am considering asking him to grind my blade in 1/4 hollow instead of 1/2 hollow. Before doing so, I want to weigh my choices and if the 9/8 blade will make up in stiffness for the more hollow grind, I will keep things the way they are. If not, I would like to get the heavier grind.

interesting as most custom makes go 1/4 standard…

 

[mwhitcraft]

I enjoy small wedges and large hollow grinds but not small hollow grinds and large wedges. For whatever that's worth.

Hmmm...do you feel that the large hollow grounds behave similar to the smaller wedges?

 

[Wullie]

Hmmm...do you feel that the large hollow grounds behave similar to the smaller wedges?

I have an 8/8 Greaves that has been re-ground to full hollow.
RH side of the three pictured.

It does NOT behave the same way as 1/4 hollow.

Like MYCARVER so aptly described the feeling as "twitchy", I whole heartedly concur.

I also have a 4/8 J Dobie, Glasgow razor that is 1/2 hollow or thereabouts and it is a delightful shaver,

but I like the weight of the bigger blades.

 

[KW Driver]

I don't have a lot of experience with the bigger grinds. I have a 1/4 hollow 4/8ths, several hollow/extra hollow 5-6/8ths, a half hollow 6/8ths, and just tried my first wedge that a member here lent me. as he said, I prefer to "hear the toast getting buttered". my 1/4 grind 4/8, half hollows, and the wedge are very rigid blades. equally rigid feeling, other than the mass/weight of the individual blades. I can see how the heavy bearded prefer them, but I like the thinner blades better. my beard is light enough and I basically have to shave daily, that I don't loose anything using the thinner blades, and get more tactile feedback. I'll give this wedge a few more turns before sending it home, but I think I'll stick with the full and extras myself.

nice collection you have there though.

 

[tomjr]

i am the minority, i prefer full to extra full blades. i have a very tough heavy beard, they run in my family. my father's is unbelievable.

 

[mycarver]

I probably should pick some of these for the thread about your favorite 3 razors. But how do you pick?
These are some of the current rotation of favorite razors at hand.

 

[gooser]

I probably should pick some of these for the thread about your favorite 3 razors. But how do you pick?
These are some of the current rotation of favorite razors at hand.

WOW !!!!!!!! could a rotation get any better then that ?? .. very nice !!

 

[mycarver]

That's not my rotation but only some of the wedge and near wedge blades that I've been using lately. I have a few more in my rotation as this photo shows. I had to reload the table as there wasn't enough room let alone show the ones I have to restore and are waiting.
The DE shot is just for fun. It's how I started.
The first shot, first row is all W&Bs.

 

[Rschan]

That's not my rotation but only some of the wedge and near wedge blades that I've been using lately. I have a few more in my rotation as this photo shows. I had to reload the table as there wasn't enough room let alone show the ones I have to restore and are waiting.
The DE shot is just for fun. It's how I started.
The first shot, first row is all W&Bs.

Holy S.....t

 

[Wullie]

I probably should pick some of these for the thread about your favorite 3 razors. But how do you pick?
These are some of the current rotation of favorite razors at hand.

Oh my my, OH HELL YES!! Honey put on that PARTY DRESS!!

I like the way you think.

FINE looking iron in that pile and LOT more another post or two down.

 

[Kentos]

A 1/4 hollow to 1/2 hollow shouldn't make too much difference IMO. However if you like wedges I would just go 1/4 hollow. My 8/8 kamisori grind from BB is maybe 1/4 hollow at the end, but feels just like a wedge-no deflection of the edge. Any reason for the 1/2 hollow?

 

[Price]

That's not my rotation but only some of the wedge and near wedge blades that I've been using lately. I have a few more in my rotation as this photo shows. I had to reload the table as there wasn't enough room let alone show the ones I have to restore and are waiting.
The DE shot is just for fun. It's how I started.
The first shot, first row is all W&Bs.

Dude.

 

[mwhitcraft]

A 1/4 hollow to 1/2 hollow shouldn't make too much difference IMO. However if you like wedges I would just go 1/4 hollow. My 8/8 kamisori grind from BB is maybe 1/4 hollow at the end, but feels just like a wedge-no deflection of the edge. Any reason for the 1/2 hollow?

Well, I am not totally convinced about the wedge yet. What I really liked was the way it powered through my whiskers. What I want is something that will produce that effect with a little less brutishness. That's why I originally asked for a 1/2 hollow. However, I am still open to suggestions/new information.

 

[Kentos]

Sadly it's a question that only experience can answer. Do you have any examples of the makers 1/4 and 1/2 hollows?