Half or Full Hollow?

Hello everyone...

I've been shaving for a while now with a SR and my birthday is coming... so I think it's time to indulge myself with a new blade he he he.

I've been doing some research and even though I've read a lot of posts about this particular topic,(There are many opinions) I'd still like to know a little bit more about your insights.

I have a TI 5/8 full hollow blade which I absolutely love, it's smooth to shave with and love the simple, elegant design and I'm thinking of getting a new TI blade.
That being said, I'm still learning and I'm getting a pretty decent shave although it's not BBS yet.

I do hove some questions that I'd like to know in order to make the right choice as I am struggling to decide.

I have four options that are actually mix and match... so there are only two.

5/8 or 6/8?
Full hollow or half hollow?

My options are a TI "Fox and Rooster", which can be either 5/8 or 6/8 and it's a full hollow blade or a "Special Coiffeur" also 5/8 or 6/8 but this one is half hollow.
Both are ebony resin scales so they look very similar, and the price difference is less than $20 on either one, so that's not the issue.

Any advice or thoughts on this subject?

Every opinion is very welcomed so don't be shy ;-)

Cheers.

E.

My oppinion, try a bigger size. I learned on a 5/8 and then later a 6/8. I currently prefer a 7/8 or 8/8 razor. I would say stick with nothing smaller than a 6/8 and maybe try a 7/8 if you are starting to feel more comfortable using a straight. For me, the full and extra hollows work the best. I have tried pretty much all of the different grinds. Again though, this is personal preferrence. You may find that your preferences are different. Best thing is to experiment.

Edit: Welcome fellow Vancouverite! I myself am in Port Coquitlam.

I know you do, but I'm kind of scared of the bigger sizes he he he... I still have trouble under my nose as I have a small mole that tends to be complicated, and usually end up cutting my self more often than not. My wife tells me that I'm gonna end up slicing it off...

And Thank you Attila. We've met before in another forum. I just don't have the same user name for some strange reason.

Cheers.

Ezra

hmmm sounds like you've been looking at the classic edge site .... I was thinking about the 6/8 fox & rooster, but I have to say that I love the thinker grind of the special C. ..... I find they feel smoother

For me I like from half to extra hollow. I also have from 4/8 to 8/8 in my rotation and tend to use a 6 or 7/8 most. I have a nicer shave with a slightly larger blade. I find the larger blade easier to get the angles correct, for me at least. As always though ymmv. Its all in the person.

You are right ecormier!
I believe that's gonna be my place to shop, specially because they ship their blades shave ready and I have absolutely no idea how to hone a blade... :hmmm:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eco82

I know you do, but I'm kind of scared of the bigger sizes he he he... I still have trouble under my nose as I have a small mole that tends to be complicated, and usually end up cutting my self more often than not. My wife tells me that I'm gonna end up slicing it off...

And Thank you Attila. We've met before in another forum. I just don't have the same user name for some strange reason.

Cheers.

Ezra

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Ah ha, Ezra. Of course! Makes sense now. I was initially afraid of the bigger sizes too. But you know what, they are not harder to use. In fact, I found them easier to use. Perhaps my skill was also increasing with practice, but somehow the correct angles seem easier to find with the larger size razor.

I also cut myself less often with them. Nowadays never, really. Thank God!

Actually that's why I'd like to try a 6/8
I believe it would give me a nice variation on my current blades... and it doesn't seem to be a very big increment from a 5/8
The question still remains half or full he he he

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eco82

Actually that's why I'd like to try a 6/8
I believe it would give me a nice variation on my current blades... and it doesn't seem to be a very big increment from a 5/8
The question still remains half or full he he he

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It's not and yet it is quite different. You'll see what I mean when you try it. My prediction is you will like it. As to 1/2 or full hollow, well only experimenting with both will tell you that! We're not enablers here....oh noooo.... :gl:

Oh, and if you need something honed. You should join us at the next shave meet up. Dan here in Vancouver (well New Westminster actually) does a really nice edge on his Jnats, but he can use Shaptons if that is what you would prefer.

No, I know that... but it's always good to know what other experiences might help me to learn more.

I say try something different. 6/8 half hollow. Eventually you are going to want to try everything from extra hollow to near wedge in all different sizes anyway so might as well start now. Atleast that is what I ended up doing. Damn people on this forum always talking about different razors and kicking in my RAD :rofl2:

A 6/8s is a good size and I personally think it's the ideal size. Good heft and yet very maneuverable. I think once you go to 7/8s and above they tend to get clumsy. Kind of like driving an 18 wheeler on your face as opposed to a sports car. As to the grinds, the half hollow will feel very different but variety is the spice of life isn't it?

Thank you thebigspendur!
My question now would be different in which way? :hmmm:

Try the 6/8 full hollow "Fox and Rooster" which is really an extra hollow singing razor. I have various grinds but my favorite razors are either 5/8 or 6/8 singing razors. The thinner blades give the most audio feedback during the shave, give close comfortable shaves and are fun to strop as they sing their siren songs enticing you to future shaving nirvana.

I enjoy using my 5/8 TI Special Coiffeur half hollow razor but would prefer their 6/8 full hollow singing versions. I have 3 vintage singing German razors which have become my favorites. They're all fun to shave with and strop because the steel sings its high pitched tones with each stroke providing enjoyable "Music of the Steels".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Attila

I also cut myself less often with them. Nowadays never, really. Thank God!

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Oh man, you know what this means... keep an eye out for Attila's upcoming post in the Cut of the Day thread... :rofl2:

My vote is also for the 6/8 half hollow. Why not try something new? Or as in this case, two things new. As for how the different grinds feel different, to me a big factor is sound. The heavier the grind is, the quieter the shave will be. The first time I used a near-wedge after using only full hollows I didn't think it was doing anything because I was used to the sound of a full hollow. Turns out it was in the process of giving me the best shave I had yet had. Also, because it is a heavier grind, the blade itself will likely be noticeably heavier. Personally, I like that and my favourite blades are all bigger and heavier (with a couple of exceptions, but that's the general rule). But that's a very personal thing and something only you can decide on.

I really like a 6/8 half hollow. To my mind it kind of reminds me of a classic when I think of straights. Of course I like variation, but this seems to be my personal standby.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eco82

You are right ecormier!
I believe that's gonna be my place to shop, specially because they ship their blades shave ready and I have absolutely no idea how to hone a blade... :hmmm:

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Well I can tell you that I've had top notch service from them.... I use phil's edges to help me figure out how to improve my own honing :)

To be honest once are comfortable with a razor there should be no difference. I do no think there is much difference between a full hollow and half.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eco82

You are right ecormier!
I believe that's gonna be my place to shop, specially because they ship their blades shave ready and I have absolutely no idea how to hone a blade... :hmmm:

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I've dealt quite extensively with Phil and Jane at the Classic Edge, and they are really great people. They came up to a meet in Southern Ontario back in the summer, I couldn't make it, but a few members here were there.

Phil's helped with me honing, and I've bought a bunch of razors and stuff from him over the last year. Highly recommend them....

I started on 6/8 half and like it. I don't care for the lighter razors as much. I really dig 7/8 quarter, but nobody recommends starting out that fat. That blade also carries a super sweet edge...which makes any size feel like gold. :p

I really like a quarter grind. Full hollows shave great too, but a quarter grind gives me a better shave.

I've never owned a TI, so I can't comment on them.