Thread: Grinds

I see all the mention on razors about full hollow grind 1/4 and 1/2 hollow grinds but I have know idea what that means and what the difference is. Another question is the size of the razor when it says 6/8 what is that referring to.

The grind is referring to the way a blade has been formed, whether that be flat, or more likely with a wheel that will hollow that flat plane out slightly. The size of grinding wheel used will determine the grind.
The fraction refers to the size of the blade from spine to edge in inches. 8/8 being a full inch.

To clarify that point a bit more:

With a simple hollow grind the blade becomes more hollowed as the size (radius) of the grinding wheel diminishes.

However, the deeper, half hollow and full hollow grinds are not the the result of grinding the blade on single wheel. Instead, a sequence of grinding wheels of varying sizes is used to produce the final blade profile.

Originally Posted by ignatz

To clarify that point a bit more:

With a simple hollow grind the blade becomes more hollowed as the size (radius) of the grinding wheel diminishes.

However, the deeper, half hollow and full hollow grinds are not the the result of grinding the blade on single wheel. Instead, a sequence of grinding wheels of varying sizes is used to produce the final blade profile.

Yeah,
I'm sure I read somewhere that the fraction 1/4, 1/2 etc, has something to do with the point on the blade where the different radii blend??
Whatever, I think the number is accademic for our purposes.

Ok I kind of get it now but what does that mean for me in terms of shaving. Is one better then the other. And when you say 8/8 is a full inch from spine to edge is that referring to the cutting edge I am assuming.

Here's a better illustration of the grinds, and an image showing exactly what Ignatz describes. He raises a good point. Many grinds are derived from multiple wheels. The faux frameback is a good example.
I have borrowed the three wheel grind illustration from Butch (Harner). That man can grind!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Here's a better illustration of the grinds, and an image showing exactly what Ignatz describes. He raises a good point. Many grinds are derived from multiple wheels. The faux frameback is a good example.
I have borrowed the three wheel grind illustration from Butch (Harner). That man can grind!

I think this shows the grinds well. But big question then does one affect a shave better do they have different feels when shaving what are the benefit of one grind over another.