Thread: What does hollow mean?

I've read the wiki, but i'm not sure I understand. What is hollow gound? blade shape?

I is a true wedge or not hollow. XIV would be a full hollow.

Do keep in mind that hollow is a relative term. Lots of Sheffield razors that are "Hollow Ground" are more like what we would consider half or even quarter hollow ground.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Do keep in mind that hollow is a relative term. Lots of Sheffield razors that are "Hollow Ground" are more like what we would consider half or even quarter hollow ground.

True, I think the hollow scale in the wiki is a modern one. Some of the older blades will say hollow ground because that was the limit of the grinding "technology " at the time.

Well, alot of razor's look hollow ground. What is the "tell tale sign" to say which is what? No diagram help.

The diagram is above. You have to look at a razor and see how hollow it is. The easiest way is to look at a razor end on, as they are shown in the diagram, but once you know what you're looking at, you can start to tell by the way the razor's grind looks and how it reflects things (not a fool proof method, though).

Not that I'm an expert, as a matter of fact I'm still a newbie but I always thought the term "Hollow" makes sense if you consider the following. When you look at the chart above showing each type of grind, consider this. If you were to take a straight edge and lay it across the blade from top to bottom (spine to blades edge) on a true wedge, there will be no void or "hollow" area between the straight edge and the blade. The straight edge will make contact with the blade all the way from the spine to the edge. If you do the same on an full hollow gound blade, there will be a huge void or "hollow" area between the straight edge and the blade. I don't know if the creator of the term "Hollow ground" had this in mind but it makes perfect sense to me! LOL!

kcarlisle,
As a newbie, I continue to investigate terms that are so loosely tossed around, to get a better understanding of the entire straight razor landscape. Your explanation of a hollow is perfect; making it very easy to keep top of mind. Thank you.

Andy