Thread: Type of grind

been shaving for 3 weeks now and was wanting to know if the type of grind has anything to do with how close a shave you can get?
I don't think it should but i tend to get a closer shave with a full hollow blade as opposed to my half hollow blade.

Typically it is the hand and not the grind. I try to shave several days in a row with the same or same type of razor. There are some subtle differences to getting the shave the best it can be with the different grinds. Over time we often develop favorites. Oddly enough my favorites are more this razor or that one versus this grind or that one. For the most part my favorite grinds are the heavy wedges and quarter hollows, yet my two favorite razors are the Henckels 14 and 17. That makes no sense but it is the way it goes. After a while you may find your taste changing only to swing back over time. Sometimes variety is the spice of life, and shaving.

Yes, should make no difference to the shave what grind is used so long as both are equally sharp.

Bob

A full hollow blade typically has more flex, which hugs the contours of the face. I prefer full hollow for this reason, and I find they provide a closer shave than heavier grinds.

Originally Posted by Badgister

A full hollow blade typically has more flex, which hugs the contours of the face. I prefer full hollow for this reason, and I find they provide a closer shave than heavier grinds.

I don't know about you, but my face is much more flexible than any razor I've ever shaved with, so for me it's my face that changes shape given the razor, not the other way around.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I don't know about you, but my face is much more flexible than any razor I've ever shaved with, so for me it's my face that changes shape given the razor, not the other way around.

Maybe you misunderstood me or you are just being facetious, but what I am implying is that because the blade is thinner and thus more flexible, it provides me a closer shave.

Your comment also seems to contradict what you wrote on your website about flex in full hollow razors.

Grind – As I see it, there are two schools of thought when it comes to grind

-Tough Love: This would be starting wit a full hollow razor. A full hollow grind will flex while you are shaving; this makes it less forgiving of a poor shaving technique. As a result, if your technique is poor your shaves will be poor too. This will force you to improve your technique rapidly, or else you will suffer poor shaves. The downside is that your shaves will probably be poor to start.

-Coddling: This would be starting with a half hollow or “heavier” razor. The heavy grinds do not flex while you are shaving. They also have a greater inertia, so they feel like they “plow through” stubble. As a result, it is easier to get a good shave from a heavy grind, even if your technique is not great. The potential downside, however, is that you will not be forced to improve your shave technique, so your development may stagnate.

Steel – I really don’t think the type of steel matters, so long as you choose a quality razor.

Gentlemen,
I prefer the hollow ground razors, although my favorite is the 1/4th hollow Le Grelot.

While I enjoy using all the various grinds, a full hollow is my preference, I find I "feel" the shave more with that particular grind, and the sound of a full hollow doing it's work always get's a smile...