Thread: Size and Hollow?

I've been wondering, is there any real difference noticed between different sizes of blades and different hollows other than personal preference? I currently have a 5/8 fully hollowed blade and enjoy it, but am interested in trying out different blades.

I've heard and read that as you go to less of a hollow (more towards wedge), it can be easier to tackle heavier beards and the edges will last longer, but is more difficult to hone. is there any truth to that?

Does the size really matter other than personal preference? I can't really find anything (old wives tale or not) that really says there's distinct difference between a 5/8 and a 8/8 other than design features.

Yes, there is a lot of difference IMO, although you are correct when you say that it is only the edge that actually cuts the beard. And then you get down to how the blade was actually honed itself. You can take the same razor, have a beginner hone it, and most likely have a horrible shaving experience, give the same blade to a pro, and you'll feel that your beard fell of your face on it's own!!

But yes, for me at least, I prefer a big blade, 7/8 for me at a minimum, I really like the heft of the blade, the weight of it does a lot of the work for you, and many will tell you a big blade requires less wiping/rinsing as it will hold more lather.

As far as grinds, I would never advise a beginner to start with an extra-hollow ground blade, they will conform/mold to your face as they are much more flexible, and will bite you quickly if you make the tiniest mistake.

A big heavy wedge will sometimes do the same thing, they have a lot of horsepower, and if you make a mistake, you'll pay for it. So, IMO, when your starting out, I'd always recommend a 5/8 half-hollow ground blade - it has the keeness of a hollow and the horsepower of a wedge, good blade to learn on and figure out which way you lean in preference, wedge or hollow.

I'm not a big fan of wedges, I have two, and lately, I've been using them more, it's a definite game changer for me.The only drawback with wedges for me is, pretty much after one pass I have a DFS shave....YMMV.

Hope this helps!

Phrank has a nice collection. Find a friend like Phrank and use his razors until you decide what you like best and then buy two of those.

Every blade grind feels different to me. The feel on your skin , as it shaves hair, will change and you have to find what YOU like best. Of course, all the edges must be in shaving condition for you to really get the most out of the test. I tried this early on by starting a shave with one razor and then trying at least one more different grind razor to finish. These are things we do when we start to get a "feel" for what is right for us.

As far as size. it also depends on each individual. 7/8 is my sweet spot, though I enjoy using 8/8 and 6/8. I think when we start off a 5/8 blade is probably best till we learn our way around.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Phrank has a nice collection. Find a friend like Phrank and use his razors until you decide what you like best and then buy two of those.

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One noticeable difference between a larger blade -- like 7/8+ -- compared to a 5/8 is that the larger blade holds more soap while shaving and does not need to rinsed nearly as often. This can make your shave go a littler faster and feel less interrupted.

The tradeoff with a large blade is that it can be more difficult to reach crevices along the neck or chin. A smaller blade for some people can be much more maneuverable and effective. It really depends on the shape of your face.

So as others suggested, go ahead and try out different blade sizes and grinds. The best way to determine what works best for you is by a trying a variety of different blade sizes and grinds.

Have fun.

Not a big fan of small blades, 4/8 and under, or big blades over 8/8 so usually go 6/8 give or take. The 4/8 I find a bit fiddly and the 8/8 a bit clumsy and over kill but that is all personal preference. I have more or less settled on 6/8 give or take a bit and any grind will do nicely if honed properly.

There are not many true wedges out there and and they can give problems honing considering how old they generally are with crazy spine wear. Anything from a near wedge down should not be difficult to hone unless they are a bit warped/twisted and require different honing techniques.

So yea, I would say size and grind is mostly down to personal preference and not much else.

Bob