Thread: 1/4 vs 1/2 hollow

I'm getting ready to order a Koraat custom and have all but one of the design details figured out - the grind.

I prefer the wedge grinds, but I have and like a 1/2 hollow.

I'm beginning to get good edges on hollow grinds, but haven't figured out wedges yet. This razor will eventually go to my son, so I'd like to get a hollow grind for ease of maintenance.

I've never used/honed a 1/4 hollow. Do they hone up like other hollows or are they more challenging like wedges?

JJ-A beefy, shoulderless quarter hollow is probably my favorite grind, and they can take as good an edge as any. I don't always get on with the real singing full hollows-they often seem too "scrapey" for me if that makes sense. I'll scrounge up a pic or two front-wise of a couple of them. I love the heft!

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

JJ-A beefy, shoulderless quarter hollow is probably my favorite grind, and they can take as good an edge as any. I don't always get on with the real singing full hollows-they often seem too "scrapey" for me if that makes sense. I'll scrounge up a pic or two front-wise of a couple of them. I love the heft!

I have problems honing wedges because there's nowhere for the sides of the tape to hide from the stone. Does the edge of the tape contact the stone on a 1/4 grind?

I agree with you about the super thin grinds being "scrapey". I've gotten some really nice shaves from them, but the sound always bugs me. I prefer the silent whisker assassins. Once I figure out honing the wedges a lot of my hollows will probably start leaving the rotation.

For what it's worth I always have on at least 1 layer of tape, some times more with a real "wedgy" blade. I dont' own a Koraat (though I've heard great things!). I stupidly sold this nice Friedmann and Lauterjung's Celebrated, but I would call it "quarter hollow."

Here's a link to the grind image at Koraat. http://www.koraat-knives.at/konfigbi...indoptions.jpg The 1/4 grind is the third from the right.

You won’t have any issues with tape contacting the hone on the blade face, even with a near wedge grind that is in that link above. Honing a wedge isn’t any more difficult than a full hollow grind. It’s when the heavier ground blades have had a bunch of prior honing or abuse and the bevels get really tall that it takes a while to reset a bevel. I would get exactly what you want and not worry about future honing.

No matter the grind it’s all about the bevel set. Worn wedges and 1/4 hollows take more time and technique.
I would base your purchase based on your shaving preferences. Personally I find the 1/2 hollow to be the preferred middle ground. They are easier to learn than an extra hollow or a wedge or 1/4 hollow. They will all shave as well as they are honed. But what you like is not so easily defined.

Originally Posted by RezDog

No matter the grind it’s all about the bevel set. Worn wedges and 1/4 hollows take more time and technique.
I would base your purchase based on your shaving preferences. Personally I find the 1/2 hollow to be the preferred middle ground. They are easier to learn than an extra hollow or a wedge or 1/4 hollow. They will all shave as well as they are honed. But what you like is not so easily defined.

I get you Rez, good point.

This will only be my 2nd new purchased razor (first was a gift that got me into straights in the first place). So some of my troubles with honing wedges may be the spine wear, etc. I really like the wedges I've gotten from Boushie and have good shaves from a 1/2 hollow I honed, so I think the 1/4 wedge might be a nice middle ground. Plus, I haven't tried one, so I'm looking forward to the 1/4.

Get what you what. Being a new blade honing isnt going to be as much of trouble as grinding now has come a long way. I vote for 1/2 but its not my money or face.