Thread: What degree of hollowness are these?

Hi guys,

Just took some pics of my 2 DOVO razors, but I am not sure what exactly the degree of hollowness is, or what the specifications of my second razor is. Can anybody shed some light?

The first Photo is the Dovo Stainless steel Micarta Ivory 5/8 with etching on the blade. I think it's full hollow. See Below:

Photo #1




My second razor is a bit of a mystery to me. I found this at a small store close to where I live for a pretty cheap price - US$ 30, but I know nothing about it. Looks like the store has had it for a long time, and had not sold it. It has a nice wide blade, and it should shave great when its honed.

Does anyone know anything about this one below?
Type of steel, hollowness, etc. etc. I think this one may be a singing blade, because when I flick it with my nail, it does "ping" a bit.

See below:

Photo #2a


Photo #2b


Photo #2c


Thanks!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here...

I've been spending a lot of time lately trying to understand this, and trying to determine where the terms come from.

As best as I can tell those blades are single ground 1/2 hollow. The first blade might be more than 1/2 hollow; it's hard to tell where the edge is in relation to the hollow with the picture there.

+1, I'd guess at half to 3/4 hollow for the first one and half hollow for the second one.

But that really is a guess.

Originally Posted by HNSB

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here...

I've been spending a lot of time lately trying to understand this, and trying to determine where the terms come from.

As best as I can tell those blades are single ground 1/2 hollow. The first blade might be more than 1/2 hollow; it's hard to tell where the edge is in relation to the hollow with the picture there.

They are both double hollows but whether its 3/4, 1/2, or some other fraction I couldn't say

Dovo lists the first one as a full hollow, but I have no idea about the second one.

Does anyone know any details about the second one? Is it a decent razor?

Originally Posted by JMS

They are both double hollows but whether its 3/4, 1/2, or some other fraction I couldn't say

Double hollow based on the double shoulder? I was going off the toe end of the blade, it appears as if the grind was done with a single wheel.

Originally Posted by leadingedge

Dovo lists the first one as a full hollow.

That sure doesn't look full hollow to me.
It's hard for me to tell though, because as far as I can tell, there is not an actual measurement on the blade that determines what amount hollow it is.
I have been measuring as many known blades as I can get my hands on, and measuring pictures of blades online. I originally thought that there would be a relationship between the width of the blade and where the taper of the grind ends. That definitely isn't how 1/2 or 3/4 etc. is determined. I still have not been able to figure out for certain how it is determined.
Maybe I am wrong in assuming that there should be a measurement on a 1/2 hollow that is 1/2 of another measurement on the same razor...

This might help:The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by wdwrx

This might help:The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I don't want to take too much away from the OP here, but...
I've looked at those several times as well. There still does not appear to be any mathematical relationship. It sure seems as if it could just as well be more like the top chart and have a number applied to the appearance of a blade as a numerical sequence rather than as a number referring to a relationship between two parts of a blade. 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 could just as well be A, B, and C which then leaves them open to judgment.

I really don't think there are any absolutes. I own razors that don't exactly match any one image.
The "rule of thumb" I've been using is where the hollowness starts, 1/4 the way up, 1/2 the way up... might not be right but seems fairly close. Mind you, that J.A. Henkels chart shows some pretty fine graduations from one to the other that would be pretty hard to eyeball.
I've always thought that close counted.

That's what I've been going by too, but that is the problem...
If you look at the first picture in the first post, even if you adjust for perspective that grind starts no more than 3/4 of the way up the blade and yet the manufacturer refers to as a full hollow.
I've tried putting it into relationship with the lower edge of the spine as well, and that doesn't work out either.
What that leaves is to just look at lots of blades and how people rate them and to look at the spine chart in the wiki, then guesstimate from there.
Maybe close enough is good enough...