Thread: Hollow Grind vs. Wedge

This may seem like a dumb question, but I’m trying to better understand why hollow grind razors are favored today over the wedge style of yester-years. I fully appreciate that sharpening a wedge is more difficult because more metal has to be removed during each sharpening session. This makes perfect sense. However, I sometimes come across an article that suggests that hollow grind razors are sharper than wedges. Similarly, the articles will sometimes say that wedges hold their edges longer. These statements do not make 100% sense to me.

1/ Sharpness - In the attached diagram, for two equally sized razors with equally thick blade stock, isn’t the angle BAC the same in both cases? If so, the two razors would be equally sharp, right? Or do authors really mean that hollow grind razors are better shavers (not necessarily sharper) because they are more comfortable due to less surface area creating drag on the face? (i.e. it’s a matter of nomenclature, interchanging quality of shave with sharpness.)

2/ Edge Durability – When a razor dulls, isn’t it the very tip of the edge that matters most? In the diagram, the edges would appear identical to me.

Sorry to be technical on a stupid item, but these particular aspects puzzle me. Thoughts? Please be gentle in your responses. Thanks.

I can't speak to the specifics, but I can say that I get great, enjoyable shaves from razors regardless of their grind, so long as they are properly honed.

Hollow Rule, Wedges Drool

You really first have to realize the a "Wedge" is very rarely a True wedge they are Near wedge or 1/8 wedge but most have a tiny bit of hollow...
Then you have to realize that a NOS or a "Wedge" in excellent shape, hones just as easy as a Hollow grind and the bevel is just as tiny...

Now comes Us and E-bay and 1000's of worn out "Wedges" that the spines are honed to death, and people start saying that "Wedges" are harder to hone... Because in that shape they need to be evened up first, see believe it or not the spines on "Wedges" tend to be a bit on the soft side so they tend to wear fast...

So that was the honing part there, and yes you are correct sharp is sharp and most razors fall in the 16 degree range of a bevel angle regardless of grind...
As to durability????? I can't answer with any real knowledge on that one..

Originally Posted by diyguy

However, I sometimes come across an article that suggests that hollow grind razors are sharper than wedges. Similarly, the articles will sometimes say that wedges hold their edges longer. These statements do not make 100% sense to me.

Yes, you're absolutely correct, those general claims have no foundation whatsoever.
As glen pointed out wedges (in the sense of thick grind razors) are no harder to hone than full hollow razor, often even easier. For example the other day I had a razor listed in the classifieds which was about 1/4 hollow grind and the bevel was only about 1/64" wide, there was no damage to the edge and no need to remove much metal from it. It was very easy and fast to sharpen just a bit more than where it already was.

As far as sharpness goes, when wedges were the dominant razor the technology was not as good as when the full hollows were dominant. Some of the old wedges are just not as well tempered, or of as good of a steel as say a dubl duck. But there are fantastic shavers dating even early 1800s, so what I'm saying is a statistical fact.

Lastly the longevity, I think that this is just another misconception due to people just making up stuff to compensate for the lack of knowledge. As early as 1930s it was established that the deterioration of the edge of a well made razor is caused by oxidation, not by mechanical deformation. So given the same steel, bevel geometry, and maintenance there's not much difference how long the edge lasts depending on the grind. That's also why stainless steel razors hold their edge longer - they oxidize at a slower rate, though the most important factor is still stropping.

Plus I've had wedges that couldn't last through a single shave. They were just poorly made - the steel was good (or was supposed to be good), but either the tempering or the grinding was off, so the edge failed mechanically during the shave.

Wedges were produced in the real old days because that's all they knew how to make. Once they figured out hollow grinds they had little interest in wedges. Most guys would rather shave with a small, light blade with feedback rather than a big heavy clumsy blade with no feedback. That's just the way it is. Sure plenty of guys love wedges just like some guys would rather drive an 18 wheeler than a car if it was practical.

In the end your face just sees the very edge of the blade. It doesn't care about the rest of the blade.