Thread: The different razor grinds

Hello,

in the last months I have seen a lot of questions and confusion concerning the different razor grinds. Particulary the difference between a bellied full hollow and a "normal" full hollow blade.
But also regarding the graduation from wegde to 1/4 hollow and 1/2 hollow.
That´s why I have made a comparative photo of the different grinds. There are some existing charts of the different grinds, but those are only drawings and do not necessarely correspond to the reality.
Of course this is only the graduation like I see it, others may have another opinion, but I think this can be helpful to get an idea of how hollow a straight razor is and in which way it is ground.

Here is the chart:



best regards,
Ulrik

Ulrik, thank you for sharing the great photos and your experience--these are great visuals, and I hope a mod will pin your excellent post!

Thanks Ulrik. Another point of confusion is that it is difficult to compare grinds on a narrow razor like a 4/8"-5/8" to a larger one like a 7/8"-8/8 because of the difference in the amount of steel in the blade.

Man, I always drool over your bellied razor grinds from afar... maybe someday I'll be able to afford one to see up close

I would love to see a video explanation of how these grinds are achieved.

Hi I’m new to this forum and I have 2 full hallow dovos and a good dollar. I noticed while shaving the dovos provide lots of feedback. When I’m doing light passes it’s almost difficult to keep the razor controlled: often when doing against the grain. The gold dollar seems slightly “beefier” and easier to control. I’m wondering if a beefier grind is up my alley.. does everyone have a similar experience? I was thinking to try a 1/4 or near wedge.. any experiences on grind and control: feedback or am I opening a can of worms?

Originally Posted by Desolation

Hi I’m new to this forum and I have 2 full hallow dovos and a good dollar. I noticed while shaving the dovos provide lots of feedback. When I’m doing light passes it’s almost difficult to keep the razor controlled: often when doing against the grain. The gold dollar seems slightly “beefier” and easier to control. I’m wondering if a beefier grind is up my alley.. does everyone have a similar experience? I was thinking to try a 1/4 or near wedge.. any experiences on grind and control: feedback or am I opening a can of worms?

Nothing wrong with trying different grinds to see which you like best. All grinds will shave equally well if honed well but feel different in use. The more hollow the grind the more you will hear the sound like when you scrape toast as you shave.

Bob

I'm a fan of Ulriks bellied hollows they are sweet shavers, just love the 14 blanks you are using.

Hi,

I am glad that the chart is helpfull!

I would love to see a video explanation of how these grinds are achieved.

I have no videos for all types of grinds, but I have made a simple sketch with paint to illustrate how the more complex grinds, like the bellied and the full hollow, are made.
The circles are the grinding wheels/stones (depending on the technique used)



And here is a detail view. The blue part is the cross-section of a full hollow and the blue + the grey and the red areas is the cross-section of a bellied full hollow.

celticcrusader

I'm a fan of Ulriks bellied hollows they are sweet shavers, just love the 14 blanks you are using.

I am glad to hear that :-)



mfg
Ulrik

Originally Posted by Desolation

Hi I’m new to this forum and I have 2 full hallow dovos and a good dollar. I noticed while shaving the dovos provide lots of feedback. When I’m doing light passes it’s almost difficult to keep the razor controlled: often when doing against the grain. The gold dollar seems slightly “beefier” and easier to control. I’m wondering if a beefier grind is up my alley.. does everyone have a similar experience? I was thinking to try a 1/4 or near wedge.. any experiences on grind and control: feedback or am I opening a can of worms?

When I first started I found heavier razors easier, now I enjoy very hollow razors much more.