Thread: coarse heavy beard & hollow

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I am curious as what you've laid out describes my beard as well. In fact I always have a shadow even after a close shave. I have thought it's just the way the hair and skin grow and look. I'd really like to be able to have an experienced barber shave me and give me a 3rd party opinion that way - it seems that about a third of the members here have a "very very coarse/heavy/wiry (hard to shave)" beard And I do not doubt that but it makes me wonder if it really should make a difference when it comes to a sharp razor being able to remove such a properly prepped beard from the face

Hmm, I'll have to try that....

You should, it's SO MUCH FUN AT PARTIES!!!

You know, I agree with you about shaving difficulty with hollows--there shouldn't be any. At least with a perfectly honed razor and perfect technique. But then, the only razors I've ever had that went through the coarsest hair on my face (the chin and upper lip--the hair there is much stiffer to the touch than anywhere else on my face) "the right way" are the Wapi you honed (thanks for that, by the way--amazing edge) and two of the Kawaguchi razors (one wedge and one full hollow). Everything else (including 2 professionally honed razors) seemed to have some trouble (here's an extra parenthetical just to keep the flow).

Of course my technique is not perfect, as I'm sure it never will be, and I would say that was the only trouble EXCEPT for the one hollow ground razor that swept through the hair like butter. Sooo...there's something there. I do believe that with improving technique, this will ease...but will it ever disappear? And why ONLY those areas, where the hair definitely feels different than on the rest of my face?

In the same vein, if hair coarseness doesn't make a difference, then at a certain interception of proficiency/sharpness (the Comfort Vector, I call it) then you shouldn't need any prep or lather to soften your bead either, just something to let the razor slide. Hair is hair, after all, and it's all a matter of technique.

I guess my point is, at what point do we say "It's ok to prefer wedges. Enjoy your smooth shave with that big boy, and don't worry about your problems with hollows unless you really want to," without telling people that they're letting the team down by not using absolutely perfect technique with every razor made? I mean, if the goal is to get comfortable, enjoyable shaves, then wedges seem to be able to deliver with less fuss than hollows. What's wrong with that?

Originally Posted by JimR

I mean, if the goal is to get comfortable, enjoyable shaves, then wedges seem to be able to deliver with less fuss than hollows. What's wrong with that?

This is my take on it as well. I do believe I could get better shaves out of the fullest of hollows with improved techniques, but practicing with them is not enjoyable for me. Since I get better shaves easier with stiffer grinds, that's what I prefer

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

This is my take on it as well. I do believe I could get better shaves out of the fullest of hollows with improved techniques, but practicing with them is not enjoyable for me. Since I get better shaves easier with stiffer grinds, that's what I prefer

In other words, (some) heavy grind lovers are ... lazy?

Originally Posted by mparker762

This is a common refrain on these forums.

Everybody says their beard is really tough, and everybody claims that they have to use a wedge or some other heavy stiff blade to shave their super-tough beard. And they keep saying this right up until their honing and shaving technique improves sufficiently. Then one day they post here in amazement that they tried a full hollow for the first time in a year and wow what an amazing shave, and gee maybe all they really needed was a really sharp blade after all.

I have shaved with Lynn's full hollow honed TI razor ( my razor sent to Lynn for honing) and Robert Williams quarter hollow honed razor, I am a newbie, both razor were properly honed and sharp, I could tell the differnce during and after the shave.

Originally Posted by juannaredo

I am a newbie

that's the key - I'd say reevaluate it after a year or so

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

How can you tell if you have a really coarse beard compared to the average shaver? what is the sign? without having shaved different people, can you really tell?

you don't need to shave other men, all you need is to gently stroke their faces and feel the beard. I like 300 for a good statistical sample, which you can do in less than a year if you caress one new man's face every day.
or you can speed up the process by petting few guys every day.

watch it though, like shaving with a straight razor it is very addictive.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to gugi again.

Originally Posted by gugi

that's the key - I'd say reevaluate it after a year or so

I can't take a year of daily bleeding, I won't have a face to shave. Juan.

Originally Posted by gugi

you don't need to shave other men, all you need is to gently stroke their faces and feel the beard. I like 300 for a good statistical sample, which you can do in less than a year if you caress one new man's face every day.
or you can speed up the process by petting few guys every day.

watch it though, like shaving with a straight razor it is very addictive.

It only took me 6 weeks....But then, I used to live in Amish Country, so that made it easier.

I have a year and a half in. I prefer a 1/4 grind 6/8. To make the statement that one should be able to shave with a full hollow or a wedge is correct but so is driving across the US on a moped or a Cadillac, both get you there just not in the same shape!

I do not think it is a accident that most people with heavy beards prefer heavier grinds. The shaves that I get from a full hollow are very good but I really have to work at them and they take more time. I shave every day with a straight and would rather not shave if I have to use anything else. I find heavier grinds take me less time and I get an outstanding shave, day in day out.

Take Care,
Richard