Thread: How does it **FEEL**??

I've come to the firm conclusion that, in general, everything about this str8 shaving business is about how it feels to you. Like grip, blade angle, pressure, honing, etc...

So what I've been wondering about is, how does a full hollow FEEL versus a full wedge?

What difference in pressure do you use? Is the sound different? What about a large, full hollow?

Hi Super,
I can only speak for myself here.

While its true that either will handle any kind of beard, that doesn't mean they are equally easy to use, learn with, etc. The feel is different, as is the feel between several kinds of steel.

Full hollow feels a bit more scrape-y, sometimes bounces along the top of some heavy stubble, requiring another stroke or 3. Tactile feedback on the face is a bit more scrape-y feeling. In the hand, a higher pitch vibration when mowing heavy stubble slowly. Audible feedback has been likened to a sharp paring knife spreading butter on crispy toast. I would agree.

Wedge-y blades, I have to divide between Sheffield and others. Of all the Sheffield wedges, near wedges I've tried (9), only one had the faintest hint of audible feedback. They're more plentiful, so sometimes you hear that wedges give no feedback. This is not true for me w/ the US, Soligen or Swedish blades. Wide bevels had less feedback, but narrow ones seem to give a low-pitch sound instead of the high pitch of the full hollow.

Wedges (and 1/4 grinds) seem to tolerate pressure more than hollows, though I don't recommend the habit. They work fine w/out pressure and you don't get the razor burn. In the hand, and on the face, there seems to be less drama. There's more mass to soak up vibration and they skip over heavy stubble alot less. To me, they feel more steady in the hand, and less of a sense of drama. Face-friendly comes to mind. Now with that mass, comes the possibility that a ham-handed move will give more of a bite than a blade with less mass.

Other, more senior guys - pls feel free to fill in any missing blanks.

I only just got my Packwood wedge today and it's a long way from shave ready, but +1 on the "crispy toast" sound and on the bouncing over thick stubble for a full hollow. That's very much what my Magnetic Platypus sounds like and how it behaves.

I always try to use the lightest presure... Lighter is better!!! As the others have said my full hollow blades have much more audible feedback and are more sensitive to facial contours. My wedge blades seem to laugh at contours and whiskers and anything that get in the way whether that be stubble or skin folds or ears!! For me it all comes down to what mood I'm in for what style blade. The beauty of Str8 shaving is there are so many choices! Same for soap and my mood.

I have a small (4/8) near-wedge that always gives me a good shave regardless of growth. Aside from that razor, I typically use my hollows if my beard has three days' growth or less and then my larger wedges for when it's thicker. To me wedges give less feedback so they usually seem smoother when shaving, but that can also be because I don't use a wedge unless I haven't shaved for a few days already.

Once I put on a splash of bay rum they all feel the same, though.

Where do you live? If you are anywhere near me, you are welcomed to come by and try them all...

You might find someone close to you here: http://straightrazorplace.com/vbgooglemapme.php

Take the time to set your pin...

I'll start by saying that I have very few razors to compare but that said I have only one wedge and it is by faaar my favorite shaver. the first time I tried it I thought it was dull becuase it was so smooth and quiet...absolutely no tugging, skipping or pulling. About the closest thing I have tried to a DE in that it just shaves with no drama. I'm not kidding several times I actually checked the shave cream to make sure there was stubble in it. It was that dramatic. And talk about close and smooth! My face just feels different when I'm done....If I only had one razor it would be this one. That said the worst cut I had was from that bastard.

like apple pie

Originally Posted by supersco

Is the sound different? What about a large, full hollow?

Even a small full hollow sounds loud compared to a wedge or near wedge. I'd been using a Wapienica (wedge) for a while and then I honed up a full hollow by the same width. I was surprised how loud it was, very audible feedback. Depending on the individual razors, a larger hollow may be even louder! It's pitch will differ from the smaller hollows but it will wake the roommates, neighbors, etc.

meh Room-mates are over-rated.