Thread: Is a "singing" razor more functional than a typical hollow ground?

I have been looking into purchasing a "singing" straight razor lately,
and I am curious to know if the functionality of these razors is really
any different than a more common "non-singing" hollow ground razor.

I understand that these razors are thinner, so are prone to being more
delicate, but I have not found any conclusive data on whether they
are better shavers, easier to strop or hone, or... Well, it has been hard
for me to glean any real information about them other than the fact
that they "sing" when plucked (which I certainly would never do, so,
this quality is not so important to me). So far, I have found only highly
dubious passages such as "the blade seems more refined" in my
research, and would like some information that is a little more conclusive.

If any of you fine gentlemen could supply me with any further information
on the difference in functionality between a typical hollow ground and
a singing hollow ground, or offer any links as to the subject, I would
certainly be much obliged!

Thank you for your time.

As I understand it, a full hollow ground blade IS a singing blade. I may be wrong though - there are much better informed people on this forum...

Si

Originally Posted by Sunsi

As I understand it, a full hollow ground blade IS a singing blade.

Pretty much. Sometimes only the most flexible blades are referred to as "singing", but it's mostly a marketing term, I've got a razor that is as thick as a 1/2 hollow that the manufacturer claims is a "singing" razor.

A good edge on good steel will shave well regardless of the grind.
I find that only true wedges (and difficult steel) pose any more chalenges on the hone.
Stropping is the same for any grind, but fels dfferent depending on blade geometry.

For clarity;
The singing blades are usually called double hollow and they're pretty common these days.
Full hollow blades are still very well ground.
Half hollow are noticably heavier and still easy to hone.
Quarter hollow blades begin to exhibit the 'silent' (opposite of singing) qualities.
True wedges are the other side of the coin from double hollows: They're hefty, perfectly silent and usually require an experienced hand to hone.

X

Not all full hollows are singing razors.

Only the thinnest and best of them are selected to bear this name. If the razor can produce a note when plucked, it can be a "singing" razor. DOVO has many full hollow ground razors, but only a couple or so marketed as "Prima Klang" (First Note).

The number of reject is very high when making this type of razor, because of the difficulty of grinding that thin of an edge, therefore the premium price they command.


They will flex when shaving, and are made for lighter beard types...

Nenad

Nenad, Dovo may follow this but TI definitely doesn't - they claim my TI LE is a singing blade and it's as thick as a half hollow even through the secondary grind.

I can't imagine they give any advantage. I remember someone saying you shouldn't even pluck the edge which defeats the purpose. Some people don't even like the flexing it provides. I would think you would have to be even more delicate with it when stropping and honing. I dunno...seems easier to mess it up to be with no discernible advantage

I think the potential the double hollow has is for it to give surperb shaves and be easier to maintain because of the thinness of the edge. Other grinds certainly can give great shaves but become more difficult to maintain as the amount of metal increases. Personally I think this singing business is just marketing. I think all double hollows are "singing blades" or am I just whistling dixie here?

i think they are also labelled extra hollow ground by some companies

I don't like 'em. Don't get me wrong... I don't hate them, either. I just get better shaves from more meaty blades and, honestly, I like the silent shave.