Preferred blade type

Discussion in 'Straight Razors' started by Rkep01, Jun 23, 2019.

  1. Rkep01

    Rkep01 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  2. TestDepth

    TestDepth Well-Known Member

    I truly love the variety, but the “14” is my grind/shape of choice for something special.
    Tom
     
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  3. Mr. Oldschool

    Mr. Oldschool Johnny Dangerously

    Sharp is best...


    ;)


    I tend to prefer my full hollow spikes.
     
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  4. basil

    basil Well-Known Member

    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.

    5A0C3560-586D-4F25-AF29-6F74D1614DFC.jpeg
     
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  5. gssixgun

    gssixgun At this point in time...

    Supporting Vendor
    True Japanese Wa-Kamisori

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    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

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2019
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  6. Mr. Oldschool

    Mr. Oldschool Johnny Dangerously

    Love the Burma Shave brush in there, Glen. That's what I use too!
     
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  7. Billyfergie

    Billyfergie The Scottish Ninja

    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..:chores016:
     
  8. Zykris

    Zykris Well-Known Member

    Full hollow FW Engels with point. That blade has worked well for me. :)
     
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  9. Keithmax

    Keithmax Breeds Pet Rocks

    Y/8 or 8/8 half hollow with a smile is my favorite.
     
  10. Steve56

    Steve56 Hone Hoarder

    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.
     
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  11. Rkep01

    Rkep01 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  12. Spyder

    Spyder Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  13. Chuck Naill

    Chuck Naill Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  14. Steveclarkus

    Steveclarkus Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  15. M14Shooter

    M14Shooter Well-Known Member

    In general 6/8 -7/8 Full Hollow .But when I want something different an English Wedge is hard to beat .
     
  16. Chuck Naill

    Chuck Naill Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  17. Trigger

    Trigger Double Jedi Knight

    I have 3 faves, my #49 Herder Ace of Spades, my vintage 15/16 Wosty near wedge and my 7/8 Friodur #17.
     
  18. Robert1955

    Robert1955 Well-Known Member

    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 :)
     
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  19. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    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.
     
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  20. Spyder

    Spyder Well-Known Member

    I don’t like stropping a wedge either.
     

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