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  1. #1
    Senior Member Richard's Avatar
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    Default Hollow ground vs. non-hollow ground.

    I know this may be a simplistic question but what is the benefit of a hollow ground? I notice that my dovo is hg and I can hear it cutting whiskers while my wade & butcher isn't and gives a silent shave.

    Rich

    Always acknowledge a fault frankly. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.” – Mark Twain

  2. #2
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
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    A hollower razor requires the removal of less metal to hone and maintain, so it is quicker and easier. Hollow blades are lighter and may feel more agile while a heavier blade is... heavier. When it comes to the feel, that's personal preference.

    Personally, I think a full hollow requires a better shaving technique while a fuller grind is more forgiving.

  3. #3
    JMS
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    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by holli4pirating View Post
    A hollower razor requires the removal of less metal to hone and maintain, so it is quicker and easier. Hollow blades are lighter and may feel more agile while a heavier blade is... heavier. When it comes to the feel, that's personal preference.

    Personally, I think a full hollow requires a better shaving technique while a fuller grind is more forgiving.
    What he said!

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    Kurdilicious Rawaz's Avatar
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    I once asked this same question and was told: "a full hollow is like a sports car and a wedge is like a station wagon" this was in connection to what has already been said above.

  5. #5
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
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    Personal preference lol. I feel like my full hollows are sharper (finer edge?) and therefore ditto on the technique. I think they can also get closer on the first pass (but this could be my technique). After two passes its much of a muchness. Personal preference.

    What I FEEL (not facts, feelings):
    Hollow- very sharp, very efficient, wipes hair off, one good pass and you're (technically) good to go.
    not-hollow- still very sharp (just not quite AS sharp), very smooth feeling and comfortable, much more forgiving I think

  6. #6
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    I have a Friodur and a Sheffield full hollow razor that has a bevel thinner than the width of human hair (30-50 microns) so the thinness of the blade helps cut hair more aggressively. These indeed feel like aggressive razors. This is my daily shaver, it is full hollow ground with a 14° inclusive angle, yet you can't see the edge bevel with the naked eye:



    Most full hollow razors have bevels that you CAN see with the naked eye, in this case it will not cut better than a wedge as the cutting edge would be the same. It's just more flexible and lighter. I prefer the more rigid action of the wedge, and the better weight balance. My wedges are some of my best shavers.
    Last edited by cotdt; 09-07-2009 at 07:20 PM.

  7. #7
    < Banned User > John Crowley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by holli4pirating View Post
    A hollower razor requires the removal of less metal to hone and maintain, so it is quicker and easier. Hollow blades are lighter and may feel more agile while a heavier blade is... heavier. When it comes to the feel, that's personal preference.

    Personally, I think a full hollow requires a better shaving technique while a fuller grind is more forgiving.
    Ya, Ya! What he said! I would have said that. But noooooooooooo, I didn't get too. <LOL>

  8. #8
    < Banned User > John Crowley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by khaos View Post
    Personal preference lol. I feel like my full hollows are sharper (finer edge?) and therefore ditto on the technique. I think they can also get closer on the first pass (but this could be my technique). After two passes its much of a muchness. Personal preference.

    What I FEEL (not facts, feelings):
    Hollow- very sharp, very efficient, wipes hair off, one good pass and you're (technically) good to go.
    not-hollow- still very sharp (just not quite AS sharp), very smooth feeling and comfortable, much more forgiving I think
    I believe a less than full hollow can be honed to an equal edge. I think one factor in the decision is the wireness of your beard. A full hollow razor flexes ever so slightly and IMHO this interferes with a smooth shave of a very heavy beard. I would recommend a stiffer razor for a heavier beard. Having said that - the width (size of the blade), can make up in stiffness. I would recommend a larger full hollow for the same reason.

  9. #9
    < Banned User > John Crowley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cotdt View Post
    I have a Friodur and a Sheffield full hollow razor that has a bevel thinner than the width of human hair (30-50 microns) so the thinness of the blade helps cut hair more aggressively. These indeed feel like aggressive razors. This is my daily shaver, it is full hollow ground with a 14° inclusive angle, yet you can't see the edge bevel with the naked eye:



    Most full hollow razors have bevels that you CAN see with the naked eye, in this case it will not cut better than a wedge as the cutting edge would be the same. It's just more flexible and lighter. I prefer the more rigid action of the wedge, and the better weight balance. My wedges are some of my best shavers.
    Ya, YA! What he said too!

  10. #10
    Senior Member Richard's Avatar
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    Thanks guys! This really helps. My dovo is a full hollow ground but it just isn't giving me the comfort to use it daily. Honing isn't the problem because my wade & butcher and my geneva, which I bought second, give me a more comfortalbe shave. I guess I just need to keep trying and comparing. R. J. Torrey gives me an excellent shave but I pick them up on e-bay and don't know if the are full or half hollow ground. Plus I restore and sell them as fast as I put them on line. Think I'll keep the next one!

    Rich

    “Always do right. This will gratify some people & astonish the rest” – Mark Twain

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