Thread: What ground is best for Thick Beard?

hey guys i havent made a post in a while beacuase ive mainly been tlkin with larryandro. he is sharpening a straight razor i got as we speak. If i were to buy another razor what ground should i get for extremely thick beard. the hairs on my beard are individualy VERY thick and are extremely hard to cut. This i why im coming into this SOO slow because i cant get a good shave. all i get is pulling and hurting the blade i have is a robeson shuredge 5/8 hollow ground. Would something else be better like a wedge or 11/16 or maybe a japanese razor? any thoughts would be appreciated thanks

I don't have an especially thick beard but I've read that guys that do like a 1/4 or a 1/2 hollow. Something like the TI Super Gnome or something similar. Stiffer blade with no flex and maybe a bit more weight for momentum.

Recently I honed up a Boker hollow ground for a friend of mine. With a few days growth, I gave her a test run. It sounded like a Keith Moon Drum solo on my face. Shave was good; just loud.

I personally dig the silence of a 1/4 grind.

Honestly, I think the different grinds shave relatively equal. The real challenge is putting an edge on the blade. I feel that the hollow ground blade is easier to hone and/or edge maintenance.

For me, I tend not to use a hollow ground with alot of growth (2+ days). Even with a good sharp edge, the blade tugs from time to time. I never had that issue with a thicker grind.

For the daily shave, I do tend to go for a hollow ground blade. This type of blade seems to give me a closer shave when the hair is short to begin with.

Good prep goes the distance.

Your question is more of a personal preference question, really.

Just buy both and keep the one(s) you like.

*ducks for cover*

As the guys mention above, those with thicker beards often report that the heavier grinds work far better for them. Get yourself a vintage wedge, or something heading that way & see how it works for you.
I like the variation, but find that when i do use my wedges, they are a lot less forgiving. If I do make a mistake, there's no flex there.

most people will say go head use wedge blade in your situation.i have seen couple razor which is hallow drind and mean to for heavy beard. I do have 1 of those blade name is jaguar and will take sharpest edge possible. This means most likely problem is not on the grind of the blade but blade quality itself. There couple other factors will help you.1 is to use scything motion.a good beard preparation.proprely honed blade.hope this helps

What hi_bud said got me to thinking of the Fillys I've seen that say on the blade they are for tough beards. I've seen other hollow grinds that said the same on their blades. I've always thought that was just marketing and they are no different than any other hollow but I don't know since I've never had one.

1/4 grind works best for me so far. I have a 1/4 Le Grelot and that razor threw me over the top in shaving. Even with good prep with a full hollow I am thinking that the blade bends and contorts in some places on my beard and cause shaves that are less than comfortable. I still use a full hollow some of the time because I have some really nice razors but for every day I use a 1/4 grind.


Take Care,
R

I to can vouch that different blades and grinds vary and can shave totally different, I once owned a swordplay 5/8ths super hollow ground and found that all though it held and excellent edge the flex of the edge made it really difficult to shave with as though it bent around certain areas and missing or just clipping certain hairs.

Then I recently tried and uses a Spikuson 6/8ths full hollow ground and this is much better.

Now am onto to a PUMA 5/8ths and this is really good but I must confess I like the bigger razors even though they are a little bit more work in the delicate areas such as the top lip but then I could always grow a moustach!

And next on the list is a stesons special a small squat 5/8ths that seems to be very sturdy around the edge with very little flex.

Personal opinion only: as long as the razor is sharp, any will do. I like bigger and stiffer blades, but I can get the same results with smaller hollow grinds. It's a matter of preference, and ergonomics, I think.

I have extremely thick coarse beard hair, it's like razor wire, and thick too boot. I know everyone says this but us mediterranean folks have some wicked facial hair.

I have never had the please of the 1/4 grind Le Grelot, I want to at some point snag one of these beauties. The closest I've have is a Wapi, similar grind, maybe not similar quality, however it shaves like a dream for me.

On the subject of which grind is best, I will say my best shaves come from the Wapi, and other such non full hollow grinds. I do get some close shaves with a a few of them, but the majority leave me unfulfilled.

Hollows require a much close blade angle to avoid flexing, and a much more rigorous beard prep routine, and extra comfort shave cream/soap( something with shea butter, coconut oil, esp Lanolin)

Robin, does have a point in that technique makes it 6 and 1/2 dozen of the other, if you really concentrate and take your time even a full hollow will give a baby butt smooth shave, but it takes more practice and well work.

I for one am lazy when it comes to working on my shaves, I prefer my blade to do the majority of it. I'm like Slash from Guns and Roses, I sound better on a Les Paul, but then again who doesn't the damn thing would make a blind kid with one hand sound awesome.

Cheers
David