Thread: Grinds

Ok I have a question on the different grinds. I looked on wiki and elsewhere that shows the different grinds, but haven't been able to find much on how they differ when it comes to the shave. Somewhere said something like a full hollowgrind allows the edge to flex for a closer shave. I'm assuming the flexing would also mean more chances to nick yourself as well. And wedge or 1/4 hollow being better for thick and/or course hair.

Yes a full hollow gives alot of feedback,its sound like you are buttering toast,really cool. And on the opposite end you have the wedge and its like a snow plow making no noise at all while its mowing your face. Also when you strop a wedge,it is silent,while the hollows tend to sing when stropped.And then you have all the other grinds in between. I like shaving with them all!!

Originally Posted by thumper15

Somewhere said something like a full hollowgrind allows the edge to flex for a closer shave. I'm assuming the flexing would also mean more chances to nick yourself as well. And wedge or 1/4 hollow being better for thick and/or course hair.

Not really. You'll get used to whatever you use. There are plenty of razors that were advertised for 'tough beards' that are full hollows.
Stiffer grind and heavier razor will just provide your hand with less feedback, which may be good or bad, depending on what you do with that.
For example when your hand is shaky and insecure a heavier razor will mask some of that and you will get better shave, but also it'll take you longer to learn to control the razor well.

The closeness of the shave depends on the sharpness of the razor and the skill using it, the grind is irrelevant.

Think of it like driving a sports car with loads of road feel and great handling and then getting into a 10 ton truck with no road feel and poor handling. Just because the truck doesn't have the same qualities as the sports car doesn't mean you can't drive it with plenty of skill and finesse.

If you use say a wedge you become accustomed to it's qualities and get the same shave as if you used any other grind.

People have their own preferences too. Different grinds feel different while shaving, obviously wedges are heavier, full hollows are lighter. I like the big and heavy choppers, others don't. Either will shave good, if sharpened properly.

I'll have to get a few once I get started then I'll figure out which is better for me. Thanks for the info.

Sharp is sharp. The angle of attack is the same between most razors, which means that they all cut hair. IMHO, however, if a hollow comes up against a stubborn hair, it will tend to flex OVER the hair and save it for another pass. The wedge razors don't care what's in it's way and just slams right through everything. As a result, and I'm sure that it was just because I started out using hollows is that I get less irritation from a hollow as I do a wedge.

good point. I have been wondering if a wedge would be harder to learn with over a hollow, and if it would take less passes to shave with a wedge.

Good comments above. A comment on something other than the shaving experience is in order I believe. Keeping hollowed out blades sharp is much easier. I don't recommend wedges or near wedges for newbies because they are more difficult to maintain.

It makes no difference IMO. Sure they're different to use, but you can get just as good a shave from one as to the other.

I have a fairly touch beard and sensitive skin (a bad combination!) and I like to use both wedges and full hollows and get great shaves from both.

Just personal preference really as to which one you go for...! All part of the fun!