Finding a Wedge great for a Beginner!

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

I've been struggling to use a Straight for around 6 months. All have been Hollow Ground and professionally honed and I've tried vintage and modern.

I always seem to experience tugging and discomfort (probably my rubbish technique)

I then managed to get a Joseph Rodgers blade on Ebay and I restored the blade and fitted some nice Thiers Issard Scales. I then had it professionally honed.

Once it was returned I tried it and WOW - fantastic, easy shave with no tugging and a close (for me) shave.

Is this because of the wedge shape, the extra weight of the blade or something else that's helping me?

Here it is:
http://www.restoredrazors.com/razors/jr-restored-1.jpg

http://www.restoredrazors.com/razors/jr-restored-2.jpg

http://www.restoredrazors.com/razors/jr-restored-3.jpg

[Seraphim]

I also found wedgey blades easier to use when I first started out. I used to despise full hollows.


Now full hollows are what I mostly use.

[Nobody]

Wedges and heavier blades have a bit more mass to them and seem to resist being caught up by the beard during the shaving stroke in my experience. You don't mention what you judge your beard type to be, but I'm guessing it is fairly tough or coarse. Anything 4/8 and smaller full hollow can be a problem for me to use. Make it a wedge or near to it and they seem to be golden, or perform as smoothly as a much larger full hollow.

Of course, the honing job could be a big factor as well. When you get a chance during a shave lay the blade flat on your cheek as if to hone and see if it takes hair off.

[hig789]

I would guess that the wedge has a stiffer edge(more support) thus being more forgiving to a person with not so great technique. I like my full hollows now too. Didn't like them when I first started though. I was experiencing tugging in the beginning too then I figured out how much you need to stretch your skin and it got much much better. Try stretching a little more and play with your blade angles and you will figure out what works best for you.

[paco664]

contact one of the UK honemeisters and get them honed first... your razors just aren't sharp enough...

[onotoman]

Oh, they are definitely sharp enough - they were honed by a gentleman called Ralfy Horsewood - one of the UK Honers on Coticule.be and undoubtedly a Honemeister.

It's just my coarse beard and rubbish technique that's the issue but the Wedge does help.


contact one of the UK honemeisters and get them honed first... your razors just aren't sharp enough...

[grump]

Wedge shape grinds are firm and flex less. I think a wedge is easier to strop. Because full hollows flex so much, the edge and technique are even more important. Also because full hollows can flex so much, proper stropping is even more important.

So for the reasons above, I would say a wedge grind may be easier to maintain and shave with.

[Kentos]

I started on a full hollow, gravitated to wedges, and now use Kamisori. I don't like hollows much anymore and much prefer wedges, but on the days I go back to them I wonder why I don't use them more.

As your technique improves you will be able to shave with anything :smile:.

[paco664]

Oh, they are definitely sharp enough - they were honed by a gentleman called Ralfy Horsewood - one of the UK Honers on Coticule.be and undoubtedly a Honemeister.

It's just my coarse beard and rubbish technique that's the issue but the Wedge does help.

good deal... then that is not a problem....

continue to look for a wedge but also pay more attention to your prep.... maybe a nice pre-shave oil or even putting hair conditioner on your beard for a bit before shaving will help you out....

best o luck!!

[onotoman]

Thanks guys,

I'll keep practising and when I get a great shave from the wedge, I'll try one of my Hollow Grounds again :-)

[onotoman]

Thanks for the tips Paco,

I do have quite a dark, coarse beard, so I'll try the pre shave oil or conditioner - probably conditioner as I bought a huge bottle of it thinking I was buying shampoo
:-)


good deal... then that is not a problem....

continue to look for a wedge but also pay more attention to your prep.... maybe a nice pre-shave oil or even putting hair conditioner on your beard for a bit before shaving will help you out....

best o luck!!

[srmd22]

Was thinking the same - just ordered a wedge to try!