Small Wedges

[mr_houston]

I shaved today with a Spike razor. Every time I shave with one of these small wedgy razors I am impressed. I also have a similar Red Imp 132.

It got me thinking of other brand small wedges. I did a search of currently listed wedges on eBay, and I found the following brands. I didn’t think there would so many.

Case Red Imp 132

Union Cutlery Spike

Union Cutlery Wedge

Bowden’s Wedge

Genco Wedge

Dubl Duck Satin Wedge

Salamander Works Our Wedge

Sears & Roebuck Craftsman Wedge

Wester Bros. Yankee Wedge

Gram Plumacher Black Diamond wedge

Cranford Razor Works Wedge

G.D Abrams Super-Wedge

Weeden & Kremp W-K Wedge

 

[The MaydayGuard]

I have a Salamander Wedge. It is quite small, but does it's job

 

[Frank Shaves]

The Union Spike is an excellent razor. Simple blade design with sturdy scales, good steel and good grinding. They seem too have come in sizes between 4/8 (possibly 9/16) and 5/8. A 5/8 in good condition is a great little shaver.

The Case Temperite 20 has the same blade as the Red Imp 132 but different scales. You will also see the Red Imp 132 in sizes between 4/8 and 5/8.

The Satin Wedge is a nice little razor but, unfortunately, suffered from cell rot.

I have seen numerous other little American wedges - like the Salamander - that look like clones of the Red Imp 132 or Union Spike. I have wondered if they are rebranded razors from Case or Union Cutlery. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much information out there about these razors.

I only wish that Case had made the Red Imp 132 in 6/8.

 

[Saloogie]

Above is my Lory Wedge.

What a great shaver. I'm a fan of wedges. Unlike hollows, they're quiet and they have a heft to them that feels good on the face. This one is 11/16 of I remember. I haven't seen another one, so I'm not sure if they're rare or not.

I also just purchased a minty Red Imp 132 in 11/16 as well. Gorgeous razors.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Heljestrand MK 24s or the equivalent version from other Swedish makers are wonderful little razors.

 

[2bit_collie]

Heljestrand MK 24s or the equivalent version from other Swedish makers are wonderful little razors.

What he said! MK24 are common and easy to find, almost certainly the lowest price point for a Heljestrand.

 

[2bit_collie]

A more general comment - I find that there is an optimal amount of mass or heft in a razor to keep the razor from bouncing around. For hollows this typically means a 7/8” but for wedges 6/8” is my sweet spot and even 5/8” are pretty stable.

 

[Koop]

I had a Carl Monkhouse 4/8 wedge, but I traded it away. I don't get on well with narrow blades.