Thread: Skin prone to nicks: full or 1/2 hollow?

Dear community,

I'm about to get my first real straight razor and I can't decide whether to buy a full or half hollow. I have been reading other threads I wanted to start this new one because of my particular skin conditions.

I've been shaving with a shavette type of razor with a Dorco blade (not a very sharp blade) and get good shaves with it. I'm already shaving agaisnt the grain (my whole face) without giving me any cuts and I'm in my first month of straight shaving. However, my skin is prone to nicks on the neck and I don't have a very dense beard but I'm sure my hair is quite tough.

I must say that the most comfortable shaves I was getting with a DE (Merkur HD) were only with Feather blades, the Earth's sharpest were the ones that gave the least nicks (strange, isn't it?), other blades were stiff, uncomfortable and nicked me more.

So, based on those two conditions (skin prone to nicks, but got the best DE shaves with a Feather) which grind do you believe is going to suit my skin the best? Full or 1/2 hollow?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Miguel

Contrary to what most seems to think on this subject I'd say that you are best served with a full hollow.

I find that the full hollows are easier to use and gives more feedback. That way I feel that I can more easily adjust pressure based on that feedback.
The stiffer grinds have a more muted feedback which in my opinion can lead to added pressure and thus more rashes and burns.

This is a YMMV area, and I'm sure a lot of people will feel quite the opposite.
Properly honed both will do the job right, in experienced hands

Thank you, Birnando.

Also, I'm thinking which one takes a sharper edge? I'm wondering that full hollows do. In that case, will they cut hairs easier/smoother?
However, according to what I have read, 1/2 hollows tend to just "glide" through the hairs, which makes me think they are smoother than full hollows. I'm quite confused!

I'm hard pressed to choose between a Dovo Pearlex (full hollow) and a Dovo Astrale (half hollow). I've read great reviews for the full hollow Dovos. Are the 1/2 hollow Dovos any good as well?

I can see that this is a bit confusing
First off: I have never been able to notice any difference in the various grinds ability to take a good sharp edge. A good quality razor, regardless of grind, will do that!

The gliding part is a good description of the half hollow and how it mows thru whiskers.
However, the more silent and mute cutting feedback doesn't necessary indicate better cutting. Only more muted.
I for one prefer the more hollow blades exactly because of the feedback from it. Both the audio when cutting and the flex of the blade.

My experience is that both grinds can take edges you wouldn't believe and that both will shave like champions.

CoffeeAddict,

I tend to agree with my fellow SRP member Birnando here. I think that somebody who is starting out as a straight razor shaver would benefit the most from a full hollow blade because of the feedback one gets while shaving.

This won't completely eliminate the possibility of nicks, but it does help the shaver adjust their shaving technique to get maximum performance as well as shaving comfort from the blade.

Thank you guys. I think that a full hollow would be my best bet. I don't want to fall in RAD.

if your prone to nicks on your neck and going against the grain, is it not more likely that the finer blades are catching on tough hair and turning in?

I have 1/4 hollows, extra hollows and full hollows, near wedges etc. I find the wedge and fuller grinds good for going ATG with no nicks, but i find the more hollow grinds good for getting detail work in just under the jawline and the chin, especially XTG

A real razor is much different than a shavette, yes the shavettes are sharper (harsher some might say) but a real straight reacts differently. I would go with the half hollow, i think it's probably the best compromise between comfort and feedback. don't base what your real straight experience will be like on what your shavette experience was like.

I started with a shavette, and am three months into shaving with a straight, and tbh i've only really started to appreciate the difference in feel between grinds.

Originally Posted by CoffeeAddict

Thank you guys. I think that a full hollow would be my best bet. I don't want to fall in RAD.

If you manage to avoid developing RAD, write a book about it and I will buy it.

Hi CoffeeAddict and welcome to the forums.
I don't feel qualified to advise you as I have only been using a straight for a few months, however, I was reading the other day an opinion from a more experienced shaver who maintained that the full hollow develops your technique due to the flex of the blade while the 1/4 hollow is more forgiving.
I used a full hollow yesterday and realise that my techique needs work.
Enjoy which ever way you go.
Cheers,
Geoff