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  1. #1
    Senior Member blabbermouth nessmuck's Avatar
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    Default wedge or hollow for a newbie?

    i have only been at this for about 4 months and enjoying every shave, but until now all of my razors were hollow ground, i just picked up a s.r.droescher wedge on e-bay and honed it up to the best of my ability and WHAT A SHAVE!! it just seemed to glide around my face no matter what stroke i was doing. just thought i would put it out there and see if anybody agrees.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth hi_bud_gl's Avatar
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    it really doesn't matter. i have seen some people prefer wedges others don't. Some says wedges for heavy beard but a lot hollow grind's out there meant to for heavy beards.
    At the end i go head say . It is personal choose.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  4. #3
    Hones/Honing/Master Barber avatar1999's Avatar
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    Lot of that comes from it being a heavier blade. You don't have to push the razor really, the weight just slides it thru the hairs.

    Really, it just comes down to personal preference and what kinda results you get personally with each type.

    My first pass is with a heavier (less hollow) razor, and then I clean it up with a full hollow. Just what works for me

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    DanS (10-30-2009), nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  6. #4
    Senior Member mbwhoosh's Avatar
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    A wedge can more forgiving on blade angle for a begginer as the blade doesn't flex as much like with a full hallow. On the down side a wedge doesn't give as much feedback when stropping so it can be easier to mis-strop.

    In the end once the basics are learned it is as stated above a personal preferance

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  8. #5
    . Otto's Avatar
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    Try both and decide for yourself. No one but you can decide on your personal preferences.

    You might end up liking both styles. I know I do.


    "Cheap Tools Is Misplaced Economy. Always buy the best and highest grade of razors, hones and strops. Then you are prepared to do the best work."
    - Napoleon LeBlanc, 1895

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  10. #6
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    Default

    it's rare for me to use anything buy a hollow, a lot of people swear by wedges. I use mostly 4/8s, a lot of people won't touch anything less than 6/8.

    Like these guys said, all personal preference.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  12. #7
    Straight Shaver Apprentice DPflaumer's Avatar
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    True story. I tried a wedge, and while it gave me a good shave just fine, I absolutely hated it for some reason, I am just more of a 1/2 or so hollow ground type guy. I also love a nice 5/8 razor. I tried a 7/8 and it felt like trying to move an entire building around my face. The only real determinant here is what works for you. I say try every type you can, I know I did.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  14. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    I love wedges because they are cool looking and I even like shaving with them but I find that I almost always reach for a HG when I look at the pile to decide which I'm going to use on a given day.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  16. #9
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    My favourite razors are a wedge, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and singing hollow ground respectively. The only way to find out is to try them out.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

  18. #10
    Unofficial SRP Village Idiot
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    Use both. I think the best shaver I had was a DD Satinwedge. I sold it to a Newbie in England for $40 to recover what I paid for it and shipped it to England. He was frustrated with straights and having used it and been a Newbie, I thought it would restore his confidence and it did. I use both routinely, but if I have a few days growth, the wedge grind will remove hair a little better for me. The newbie was sillyfishyboy so ask him what he thought.
    Never limit yourself to just one razor or razor type!
    Last edited by treydampier; 10-29-2009 at 12:45 PM.

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    nessmuck (10-29-2009)

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