Thread: Half-Hollow vs Full-Hollow

Originally Posted by avatar1999

I am indeed a fan

Have all the seasons on DVD Just wish they would put the couple TV movies out on DVD as well...They're all I'm missing since they didn't come with the individual seasons

Man...you brought memories . The good old days when TV programming was interesting.

-Robert

Originally Posted by avatar1999

HAHA! No worries! Honestly I must have missed that. I hope if you try this product, that you like it! It smells great! Reminds me of the Hawaiian Tropic cocoa butter tanning lotion my grandfather used to buy

Hi Rob,
I received Stephan's shaving creme today and will try tomorrow...Will keep you and everyone else posted here as to performance. One thing I noticed is that it's not as "Natural" as it claims. This stuff has Parabens (preservatives) in it, mineral oil (which is probably why the shaves are smooth). Hmmmm.

More later,
-Robert

Originally Posted by avatar1999

When you get it and try it out, let us know how you like it. Then maybe after you use it a few times, you could possibly put a review up of it

Hi Rob,
I used Stephan's Smooth Shave Creme and here's my take on the product after one time use:

My shave wasn't any better or worse.

Having said that, I don't know if I did it right. Here's my protocol:

1. I put the stuff on my face and let it sit for ~2 minutes.
2. Wash it off with warm water.
3. Lather with my regular shave creme and the rest is business as usual.

I noticed that in your post, you recommended that one puts lather on top of Stephan's creme. Is that what the barber school instructor did with his son or you? Exact protocol will be appreciated to compare apples and apples.

Also, I noticed that the product itself seems to recommend that you put the stuff on and proceed with shaving...i.e., no lathering with other cremes etc.

Let me know what your thoughts are

Thanks,
-Robert

I am using a Dannyco Magico 112 Shavette (Dannyco - Home Page). It was recommended by the sales clerk where i bought it over a Dovo one .

I have used everyone's recommendation. I have bought a shaving soap at the grocery store: Wilkinson Sword from Germany. It indeed made a huge difference over the Gillette Gel i was using. For the first time, i could get a nice shave. The only cuts i made were caused by mistakes i made (still learning). I am trying to use less pressure. I am starting to get there. I feel that i am now able to get a nice shave with the Shavette without pain..

I have also tried the Art of Shaving - Pre-Shave oil and Shaving cream. Not much difference with the wilkinson shaving soap except, i find that the shaving cream does not dry as quickly. With the shaving soap, sometimes the soap is dry by the time i get to the chin. Perhaps, i do not water the shaving soap enough ?

In any case, i am pleased with this discovery. Perhaps, the wiki instructions that instructs how to perform the first shave should use stronger words to convince us, who are new to straight razor shaving, that shave cream and shave gel (sold in cans) are POOR products and that a shaving soap or shaving gel along with a badger brush are an absolute necessity. I believe that i slowed down my progress considerably by NOT using a shaving soap. I could feel the glycerin that was helping the blade glide over my skin instead of scratching it.

I have bought and received my Dovo 5/8 full hollow razor this week and i have started to shave with it. Now, i believe that i feel comfortable shaving with the Shavette. However, i am experiencing some issues with my Dovo (i bought it used in the classified of this site). I will open a new discussion since i believe that i pretty much got the information i needed and everyone gave me great information and this really supported me. You all helped me fix my issue .

Thanks everyone. I will open a new discussion tomorrow about my experience with the Dovo, which is not that great and i must tell you that i will need your help very much.

Bye for now.

Originally Posted by Stubear

First of all, welcome! You're in the right place to get your questions answered.

A Shavette and a straight razor are very different beasts, and the technique of using them is different as well. As you say, the blades are very sharp and the teflon coating can give them that "over-sharp" feeling that some people dont like.

Some people here have actually said that they prefer their shavette after a few uses once the blade has dulled a bit..!

I love straight razor shaving, so I'm biased, but I would say give one a try. They are very different to shavettes, and I definately prefer them!

In terms of the "half-hollow, half ground, 6/8, round point" recommendation, its just that; A recommendation. You dont have to start with a blade like that.

The reason that recommendation was given is because those measurements are totally middle of the road halfway on the scale, and this gives people the option to decide on a heavier or thinner grind, and a different point or width.

I have a tough beard as well, and I started with a DOVO Black Star 5/8" full hollow round point. Other guys here have started with a smiling 7/8 Wade and Butcher wedge with a square point. The main thing is that the razor is shave ready and stropped correctly and that you have good face prep and shaving technique.

I have razors from full hollow to full wedge going from 4/8 to 15/16, and I dont notice any difference in the shave between them. They are different to handle of course, but the shave is just as easy and just as close with all of them.

IME, you dont need a half hollow or wedge for a tough beard, just that the razor is sharp and your technique is good.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm offering you a "thank you" for your comments on this one.

I'm new to straights (5-6 weeks) and have improved dramatically, which doesn't mean I don't still have a long way to go. I have one new Dovo razor (Dovo Special Imitation Tortoise Shell) and one used razor I alternate, both honed by people who are noted honemeisters. I don't have a heavy beard so I shouldn't need to do anything to the blade beyond stropping (25 laps on fabric, 50 laps on leather) to this point.

What I'm finding out to my surprise is that right now I am getting the better shaves with the Dovo Shavette.

What does this tell me? Do I need to hone the straights?

Good Day Everyone,

I'm Rob, From Vancouver. I'm not even a newbie yet as I've yet to purchase a SR. I have the same question pertaining to, half hollow, full hollow etc. I have been reading this thread and still feel that I am in the dark regarding this topic. I would like to know, what are these terms referring to? Is it referring the depth of the concave?
My concern is that I am a lefty, and I'm wondering if the hollow may have an affect on us sinister types?
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers!

Originally Posted by Woaicha

Good Day Everyone,

I'm Rob, From Vancouver. I'm not even a newbie yet as I've yet to purchase a SR. I have the same question pertaining to, half hollow, full hollow etc. I have been reading this thread and still feel that I am in the dark regarding this topic. I would like to know, what are these terms referring to? Is it referring the depth of the concave?
My concern is that I am a lefty, and I'm wondering if the hollow may have an affect on us sinister types?
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers!

The hollow should not affect a left handed person any different then a right handed person since unless you have one of the Japanese kamisori style razors, the grind is symmetrical on both sides. Also, some people do use the left hand for the left side of their face and there right hand for the right side of there face. But that's a suggestion and not set in stone.

Here's a link to some views of razors with different idea's to help you out.

The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library

There is a lot of good information in the library.

Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by Woaicha

Good Day Everyone,

I'm Rob, From Vancouver. I'm not even a newbie yet as I've yet to purchase a SR. I have the same question pertaining to, half hollow, full hollow etc. I have been reading this thread and still feel that I am in the dark regarding this topic. I would like to know, what are these terms referring to? Is it referring the depth of the concave?
My concern is that I am a lefty, and I'm wondering if the hollow may have an affect on us sinister types?
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers!

Left handed straight razors are sold right next to the left handed screw drivers at your local hardware store.

Originally Posted by Woaicha

My concern is that I am a lefty, and I'm wondering if the hollow may have an affect on us sinister types?
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers!

Hi Rob, it's been a long time since I've posted. To answer your question directly, no, the depth of the concave grind will not have any affect on your learning curve or your ability to get a good shave from any particular razor. My right hand is my dominant hand and depending on which part of my face I am shaving, I will hold my razor in either my right or left hand.

I have razors in several grinds, from wedge to full hollow. Each one gives me a different shave experience, but all give me the same great shave with equal effort.

You might someday discover you have a preference for one particular grind over another (WARNING -- Razor Acquisition Disorder is contagious!!) But for now, don't worry about the grind. The most important aspect of the first razor that you buy is that it is shave ready sharp.
Namaste,
Morty -_-