Half-Hollow vs Full-Hollow

[MichelG]

i have a dense beard and shaving has always been a pain. Even with disposable razors, i managed to end with nicks. My doctor recommended the use of a braun electric shaver , but even with the Braun, i would get burning sensation (but no nick ;-)). However , i missed the feel of a manual shave.

I decided to try safety shavings two years ago. I read about shaving techniques and discovered straight razors. I looked for a straight razor here and the razor place i bought it from only carried one model. The rep. suggested i buy a Shavette to see if i could learn and i would like it before spending the money for a more expensive model.

I did just that. I have since tried to use the Shavette for the easy areas , complementing with the safety razors for the chin (where this is more difficult) . But because of the nicks i get, i alternate between the electric shaver and the shavette until the skin can tolerate the blade.

I am now getting better with the shavette. I noticed that it is when i change the blade that i get a lot of nicks. I have discovered this forum while searching for advice on the technique. I now know that i was not making a good prep. I also used Gillette gel for sensitive skin (in a can). Now , i think this may be part of the problem. I have bought a shaving soap and a brush and will try this later this week when the nicks are gone.

I have read somewhere that shavette may be harder and more prone to nicks because of the blade that is so sharp or whatever. Now, i am wondering if a real straight razor would help or make any difference. I have looked at the classified and most razors are full hollow. Very few to choose from when it comes to 1/2 hollow. I did not find a good description of full hollow vs half hollow and the difference it makes to have a 5/8 vs 6/8. My Shavette looks like a 5/8, but i did not really measure, i will do that.

I went to the SRP site and i did not find a single half hollow razor - or maybe i did not search properly (no search criteria for grind on that site). Can someone explain why the beginners guide of this site recommends a 1/2 hollow, 6/8 razor ? I read somewhere that someone who has a dense beard may be better off with a 1/4 hollow or 1/2 hollow vs a full hollow. Is this true?

Can someone help me with these questions. My wife wants me to forget about straight razor because of the nicks. She believes i should continue using electric shaver since i do not get these bruises. My father and her father used electric shavers because they could not tolerate razors... I did not find any good stores around here that can help me decide.

thank you