Thread: 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

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.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

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!

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.

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 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.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

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>

Originally Posted by khaos

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.

Originally Posted by cotdt

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!

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