Thread: Extra Hollow vs. Hollow vs. 1/2 Hollow

Hey guys,
I just bought my first straight edge! Check it out: Amazon.com: Boker Silver Steel Straight Razor, 140512 Tortoise: Health & Personal Care
I decided to get a straight edge because my facial hair grows in pretty quickly. If I wait for two weeks, I have to do multiple passes with a 5 blade razor because hair gets clogged in-between the blades. I shaved with the straight edge for the first time yesterday after growing my facial hair out for a month and it was glorious.
I realized though that the blade I got is extra hollow ground, what I've researched out to mean a more fine blade and less chisel/triangular shaped. My hair is more coarse than usual, so I was thinking that a 1/2 hollow or full hollow would be better. Any thoughts? I only have a month to return the blade to amazon

Welcome to SRP, just be aware that your razor depending who the vendor was will probably not be "shave ready" and should be honed before first shave.

Why would you want to send back a razor that gives you a glorious shave? The only way to tell which grind is best for you is to buy one of each and try them. And that's how it begins

Welcome to SRP!
Not all straight razors come shave ready. They might be "sharp" but not sharp enough to shave you comfortably.
And yes there are many different types of grinds out there. You'll find out which ones you like and don't like.
And yes it begins! Love that RAD!

Welcome Sir !!....If I were in your situation I would have checked out the SRP Classifieds first.

You live in an area where there's bound to be a razor group or someone who could mentor you and
possibly lend you a razor to try out.

I personally found extra hollow ground blades to be too "flighty", that is to say, harder to control, particularly when starting out. That's just me.

If I had the chance to start out again I would go for a Near Wedge/Quarter Hollow with a Round Point.

There will be far more experienced forumites than me who will chime in on this subject.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Welcome to SRP, just be aware that your razor depending who the vendor was will probably not be "shave ready" and should be honed before first shave.

so to all the posts about my blade not being shave ready, I do have a strop and stropped(right verb?) it before shaving. When I used the blade I got a very clean shave with 1 pass with the grain and 1 pass against the grain. I did feel a little pull on dense areas, which I thought is because of the hallowness

Originally Posted by bongo

Welcome Sir !!....If I were in your situation I would have checked out the SRP Classifieds first.

You live in an area where there's bound to be a razor group or someone who could mentor you and
possibly lend you a razor to try out.

I personally found extra hollow ground blades to be too "flighty", that is to say, harder to control, particularly when starting out. That's just me.

If I had the chance to start out again I would go for a Near Wedge/Quarter Hollow with a Round Point.

There will be far more experienced forumites than me who will chime in on this subject.

Thanks that graphic is really good.

How would I find a razor group or even razor shops around me?

Originally Posted by cuddergambino

so to all the posts about my blade not being shave ready, I do have a strop and stropped(right verb?) it before shaving. When I used the blade I got a very clean shave with 1 pass with the grain and 1 pass against the grain. I did feel a little pull on dense areas, which I thought is because of the hallowness

Well you did a damn sight better than me on my first shave, well done. Pulling isn't caused by the grind, more how sharp it is. Grind preference is more a personal thing, some here prefer a full hollow, some a wedge.

Originally Posted by cuddergambino

so to all the posts about my blade not being shave ready, I do have a strop and stropped(right verb?) it before shaving. When I used the blade I got a very clean shave with 1 pass with the grain and 1 pass against the grain. I did feel a little pull on dense areas, which I thought is because of the hallowness

If it pulled or tugged at some point, it is NOT shave ready. You should send it out to a pro to hone it. If you look in the Classifieds & at the bottom it says, Member Services & you will find a person there who will hone your razor to perfection. Then you will know what shave ready is!

send the razor back now. Get to know SRP and the folks here,Ask lost of questions and two things will happen.

1. You will learn alot more than you thought you knew about Straight razors and shaving with them.

2. You will make friends here and find out who is in your area as well thus your state peer group as it were.

Welcome to SRP and enjoy. I have a half hollow myself and a full hollow. I find I like the 1/2 better to to semi course hair. Everyone is different but, that is also why I suggested ending back the razor. Carbon is usually better than stainless especially if your new because carbon hones easier and keeps a good sharp edge.Stainless does too but just harder to hone for the inexperienced. Seek out Honemasters here and when you get a new blade ,Remember what every one else has already said. Just because it comes sharpened doesn't mean it's always shave ready and there is a definite difference.