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.

You may or may not find this useful info on honing a wedge.

http://coticule.be/wedges.html

Bob

Thanks JFK742, that makes up my mind - 1/4 hollow it is.

BobH: I've read that many times. My main problem has been when I replace the tape I get it positioned with one side slightly "higher" than the other and it changes the angles I had set the bevel at. I still need to perfect hollows, so I'm waiting to dig into the wedge problem. Plus, I'm still figuring out my stones. I've only honed around 15 blades (4 wedges that weren't great), so I've got a bit to go in the skill department. I'm not in a rush, I'll get it eventually.

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 JellyJar

BobH: I've read that many times. My main problem has been when I replace the tape I get it positioned with one side slightly "higher" than the other and it changes the angles I had set the bevel at.

One side of the tape being slightly higher than the other should not matter. As long as the point of contact with the hone remains on the spine and not the bottom edge of the tape on the blade.

Bob