Should I Raw Dog It?

I am looking at getting new Vokeys in 56/60. I am trying to justify going raw and custom. I definitely like the idea of these wedges gaining their own look over time. I have also heard the raw have a little softer feel as well.

Any drawbacks? Should I give it a go? What do you like about raw over plated? I've been using tour chrome forever and kind of want a change. Finished wedges never seem to become "mine". I like the idea of a wedge developing it's own character. 

I love the raw finishes.  They sure do develop character!  

Also, has anyone used the fitting guide on the website? How accurate do you find it for wedges?

I'd definitely try and demo the different grinds. It depends a lot on you. Some think high bounce is good for a steeper player, but for some it tends to make us even steeper. I think you only build a preference through practice. I'd probably just buy 'new old stock' in several grinds and then you'll know next time you go to order. Personally, I'll adapt to any of them, but 100% prefer certain grinds.

I have 8-10 bounces with F and M grinds now and I am finding the more bounce may be better. I can have issues with soft sandy bunkers and leading edge catching on chips. I used the wedge fitting tool and it spit out pretty much what I was thinking I wanted to change about my wedges.

Always!!!! I have a raw 58* RTX4, and love the finish. Can't say for certain that raw wedges are softer, but I just like the dull look of the raw vs a chrome finish.

I dig the raw look as well, it might be mental but I always thought they felt better. I definitely like the look of a non glare finish over the shiny chrome look. Downsides are that they rust, which to some is cool (myself included), and also that IMO the grooves seem to wear a bit more quickly than plated wedges do, and they also show their wear marks from bunkers/rocks more than plated wedges.

Yes, of course. But it if you're playing a random course I would be careful

When I saw the thread title my mind went elsewhere and I was about to respond HELL NO, haha.

I would definitely go raw or stripped jet black over tour chrome as I just don't like looking at glare from irons or wedges.

Coincidentally I had a premier fitting last weekend and ended up with 54S/58S (bent to 53 and 59, respectively), whereas the wedge selector tool spit out 54M/60D beforehand. The M grind has not been my friend as I had a 54/60 SM5 set a few years ago and hated them. At the fitting the 58D performed best out of the bunker, but I went with the 58S because it was second-best out of the bunker and the runaway winner for high flop shots (and the sand was fluffier than what I usually play too). Really glad I did the fitting.

@jackbauer

I would love to do a fitting, but around Tallahassee, Edwin Watts is about all I have and that is only good for a basic shaft fitting really. I might schedule a fitting next time I'm I am in Jacksonville looking at a wedding venue... :#