Which type of blade do you prefer to use, especially when you want that extra-special shave? My preference, especially when I have a two or three-day growth, is one of my Sheffield wedges. I like using hollow-ground blades, too, but there is nothing more satisfying to me than using an extremely sharp 150 to 180-year-old piece of fine cutting steel.
My special occasion or fancy razor is my Le grelot in ivory 6/8 blade in 3/4 hollow, its supposed to be round point but it’s got a tiny bit of a French point.
True Japanese Wa-Kamisori That is my goto for a Date Night Shave I also enjoy the NY made extreme hollow grinds in the 6/8 ish size especially honed on the Shapton GS series to 30k Like this Kinfolks
Full Hollow Grinds..I have Both Light & Heavy Full Hollows for Heavy or Light Growth..30 Out My 32 Collection are Full Hollow Grinds..I Own One 3/4 Hollow & One 1/2 Hollow... Billy..
Like Tom, I’m fairly eclectic, but a nice hollow Filly 14 is always good, as are the more hollow Japanese razors, usually 13/16, and the Swedish razors. I also very much like the French razors, rattlers, framebacks (old), and hollows, especially Le Grelot and Le Jaguar in the hollows. Except for the old French razors, the one thing they all have in common is that they are usually exceedingly well ground, and they all have excellent steel, especially the Swedish and Japanese razors.
Wow! An interesting response, so far. It seems that I'm the only one, at this point, who prefers a wedge. I also shave with hollows and get good shaves with them. Maybe my preference is because, for me, the weight of the wedge requires less effort, especially on a 2 or 3-day old beard.
I also prefer 6/8 full hollow. My favorite is a Thiers Issard that is ground so thin; you can hear the Velcro ripping sound in the other room. I had a very old wedge, but those thin grinds just shave so much closer.
A three day beard means different things to different men. I have a Wade and Butcher wedge that I enjoy, but have not attempted to shave a beard with it.
My preferred blades are full hollow 4/8, 9/16 and 5/8. I do have a Swedish 9/16 quarter hollow I love. I haven’t found a steel I don’t like. Tomorrow’s shave will be 4/8 Puma - my sports car.
In general 6/8 -7/8 Full Hollow .But when I want something different an English Wedge is hard to beat .
I was able to obtain a Salamander "Our Wedge" that sharpened up wonderfully. Steve suggested several American makers including Geneva and blade widths including a 4/8 that I now enjoy as much as the 15/16 #49 Herder. It's all good when you find a good vintage.
I have 3 faves, my #49 Herder Ace of Spades, my vintage 15/16 Wosty near wedge and my 7/8 Friodur #17.
I like 4/8 full hollow, and 6/8 to half hollow, I have one wedge that i do not use coz i find it difficult, I will stay with mostly any hollow but will avoid wedges..I keep saying im going to sell it..,so i prolly will I think it is nr full wedge, ask fergiebilly...he honed it for me
Wedges aren't for everyone. I only have a couple I enjoy using. The rest get put on the backburner. They are perfectly sharp, just aren't as comfortable as a well honed full to extra hollow blade.
