Thread: straight razor blade grind question

looking at the library i saw the pictures of the various blade grinds. the full hollow half hollow and so forth. my question as a new person to this kind of shaving is.would a full or half grind be sharper than a quarter grind and if not what is the advantage or disadvantage of the various grinds.i havent seen a good explanation on the fourms about it.thanks john

On a high level:
-Grind has no bearing on sharpness whatsoever. That is 100% controlled by the hone and honer (assuming a well-made blade to begin with - i.e. correct geometry, no bends, twists, or warping).
-There are no "advantages" to grinds generally speaking (although many state that the heavier grinds may hold their keen edges somewhat longer, this is really somewhat speculative in my opinion). There are some different behaviors however and whether one likes those or not is 100% user specific.

As an example - a heavier grind (1/4 hollow) has more weight and mass in the hand, and the blade flexes less at the cutting edge (it is more rigid since there is more metal). this compounds exponentially with blade width. Wide blades (7/8+) in heavy grinds tend (just my observations) to be more effective for shaving thicker beards. One might say that the blade mass and less flexibility stand up better to the thicker and more rigid hairs. I use this combo when I have let my beard grow out a bit (after a weekend of not shaving as an example) and it works well for me. A drawback exists however, in that the hand gets less feedback from the blade in terms of feel and noise (audible feedback is very much a "thing" in straight shaving). Not too much of that to be found in a heavy grind.

On the flip side, a hollow (full-extra hollow) blade is lighter and more nimble, and most commonly found in smaller widths (5/8, 6/8) - although there are some fantastic notable exceptions like Fili 14s (pretty expensive these days) and some larger Henckels (not as expensive). The larger extra hollows are somewhat of an exception however, not the rule. Hollow blade edges flex a bit while shaving and can be considerably more forgiving. The are light in the had and generally pretty maneuverable. Audible feedback can be exceptional (the term "singing blade" is a reference used) as on some good extra-hollows, one can hear virtually a single hair being cut across the edge.

As many following me here will tell you, it is all different strokes for different folks. I started on a 5/8 full-hollow vintage blade and since then have tried a lot of just about everything else. I think that is a pretty good starting point to learn at least. You get the feel and feedback you need to begin to understand shaving angles and pressure which take some time to develop.

Originally Posted by Denvernoob

On a high level:
-Grind has no bearing on sharpness whatsoever. That is 100% controlled by the hone and honer (assuming a well-made blade to begin with - i.e. correct geometry, no bends, twists, or warping).
-There are no "advantages" to grinds generally speaking (although many state that the heavier grinds may hold their keen edges somewhat longer, this is really somewhat speculative in my opinion). There are some different behaviors however and whether one likes those or not is 100% user specific.

As an example - a heavier grind (1/4 hollow) has more weight and mass in the hand, and the blade flexes less at the cutting edge (it is more rigid since there is more metal). this compounds exponentially with blade width. Wide blades (7/8+) in heavy grinds tend (just my observations) to be more effective for shaving thicker beards. One might say that the blade mass and less flexibility stand up better to the thicker and more rigid hairs. I use this combo when I have let my beard grow out a bit (after a weekend of not shaving as an example) and it works well for me. A drawback exists however, in that the hand gets less feedback from the blade in terms of feel and noise (audible feedback is very much a "thing" in straight shaving). Not too much of that to be found in a heavy grind.

On the flip side, a hollow (full-extra hollow) blade is lighter and more nimble, and most commonly found in smaller widths (5/8, 6/8) - although there are some fantastic notable exceptions like Fili 14s (pretty expensive these days) and some larger Henckels (not as expensive). The larger extra hollows are somewhat of an exception however, not the rule. Hollow blade edges flex a bit while shaving and can be considerably more forgiving. The are light in the had and generally pretty maneuverable. Audible feedback can be exceptional (the term "singing blade" is a reference used) as on some good extra-hollows, one can hear virtually a single hair being cut across the edge.

As many following me here will tell you, it is all different strokes for different folks. I started on a 5/8 full-hollow vintage blade and since then have tried a lot of just about everything else. I think that is a pretty good starting point to learn at least. You get the feel and feedback you need to begin to understand shaving angles and pressure which take some time to develop.

thank you for that very detailed explanation and may i ask a futher question. recently i talked with the folks at portland razor co. about their sprite model with a 2 inch blade and a 1/4 inch grind they will however make any grind you want.as a beginner would this be a good choice or should i opt for a full or 1/2 grind. i already have a theirs-issard 1937 special-coiffeur i believe in 1/2 grind so would the 1//4 be perhaps be more difficult to learn on. it sort of sounds like a full might be better. anyway it may turn out to be subjective. john

Originally Posted by ehsa

anyway it may turn out to be subjective. john

It is absolutely subjective. One of the (to me) annoyances of this sport is having to try so many different things before you can know what your preferences are. This applies to straight razor grinds, shaving brushes, soaps, creams, DE blades and razors. OTOH, if you tend to acquisition disorders it is a good excuse to feed the habit. If it was me I'd go with the 1/4 grind just for variety. IME if it is honed to shave ready the 1/4 is still plenty stiff if that is what your preference is.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

It is absolutely subjective. One of the (to me) annoyances of this sport is having to try so many different things before you can know what your preferences are. This applies to straight razor grinds, shaving brushes, soaps, creams, DE blades and razors. OTOH, if you tend to acquisition disorders it is a good excuse to feed the habit. If it was me I'd go with the 1/4 grind just for variety. IME if it is honed to shave ready the 1/4 is still plenty stiff if that is what your preference is.

Spot on here. PRC makes a pretty darn good razor and has a very high value for $ spent. I have two and enjoy them immensely. TIs are pretty heavy even at a 1/2 hollow in general, so you may actually find them to be pretty similar. If you like that TI, chances are pretty great you will like the PRC. If you like a shorter cutting edge (like the PRC) and like that general price-point, but want something in full hollow, the DOVO Bismarck is a good shoulderless blade with shorter cutting edge at a pretty good price-point.

Personally I like the PRC better (craftsmanship and aesthetics-wise), but I have a Bismarck and find it to be an excellent razor as well.

Yup, Chocolate or Pickles, hard to say which, you would prefer.

They all shave well, in addition to grind, blade width is also subjective. I shave with them all sometimes 4-5 at a time, (test shaving) and it is totally preference. But I like small, 4/8 razors as well as large 1 inch Sheffield’s, just as well.

The quality of the shave is the same.

It's just another reason that straights are so interesting, variety.

I love all grinds, when honed to perfection .

If I was you though I'd look towards the 1/2 hollow , they are kind of special imo... Good luck

i am thinking and perhaps this is what im wondering since i am new to the game which would be safer for me or perhaps one that i would use less pressure. i am a vetran wet shaver and my favorites are old gillette open combs. but this is new and i dont want to nick (myself anymore than necessary) or worse while i am learning. i have ordered a sprite razor from the portland razor company and it comes in 1/4 grind uless i tell them different.thanks john

1/4 grind works well on shorties. Good balance.

Originally Posted by ehsa

i am thinking and perhaps this is what im wondering since i am new to the game which would be safer for me or perhaps one that i would use less pressure. i am a vetran wet shaver and my favorites are old gillette open combs. but this is new and i dont want to nick (myself anymore than necessary) or worse while i am learning. i have ordered a sprite razor from the portland razor company and it comes in 1/4 grind uless i tell them different.thanks john

none are more or less safe. The biggest issue with safety is keenness of the edge. As the edges become more dull, you would stand a better chance of nicks, razor burn, and the like just like a cart or safety razor...so nothing earth shattering there. Portland razors come with fantastic edges out of the box, so you should be good on that front as well.