Razor Profile

Guys I am a fairly new straight razor owner with 4 razors to date. I have bought them mostly off Ebay so details on the razors are sometimes limited during purchase.

Do you have a preference for the profile of the blade that you use?

I do not have any razors that are a wedge style but mine are all hollow ground. Among them I think I prefer the thicker profile blades. They feel more stable to me and I think I can get a better shave with them.

What have you guys found and what works best for you?

Ed

The only razor I currently have that I can shave with is a hollow but I'm working on restoring my Grandfathers razor and it's a near wedge and I have another razor that's 1\4 - 1\2 hollow and just going from the feel of holding them I think I will like them better once I get them shave ready. If thats worth anything to you.

This is completely subjective and I think you need to experiment with different razors to find out what you like.

For me, after 8 months of shaving with various razors, I can say that I prefer 1/2 hollow to full hollow razors. I enjoy the sound, the feedback and I just always seem to get a closer, more comfortable shave.

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

This is completely subjective and I think you need to experiment with different razors to find out what you like.

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+1 on that. I'm only about 2 months into straights, but I've bought quite a few and am now gravitating to near wedges-1/4 hollow because the shave really well for me. (I'm starting to like at least some smile to them as well).

I'd recommend picking up several different profiles from the classifieds in the $50 range and try them out to see what you like. That way you're not spending an arm and leg for a razor only to find out that you don't like the profile.

At this point I can shave with almost anything, but the near wedges seem to work out best. But, in due time my preferences might change as I become more proficient; so I remain open to all profiles.

I still shave with all profiles I own as well, as each razor seems to have it's own personality and that forces me to learn how to use each one. I've found that what I've learned technique wise on one razor helps me shave better using that technique with a different profile. I think this has helped me cut the learning curve on straights in general.

Kent

I'll take a full hollow any day of the week. I have all kinds and use them all but the full hollow, I think, gives you the best feedback and sense of feel as you shave.

You just need to try em all to see what you prefer.

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Originally Posted by eddelgado

Do you have a preference for the profile of the blade that you use?

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Depends on the day, I love them all. I'm not being glib, it's just a fact for me.

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Originally Posted by eddelgado

What have you guys found and what works best for you?

Ed

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I started out with large Sheffield wedge-type blades, because I believed that thin hollow-ground razors irritated my skin. In truth, my shaving technique just wasn't yet developed enough. Then as I got better, I abandoned wedges, and went after the thinnest singing razors I could get. A joy to hone and shave with.

Now, I seem to have come full circle, and am currently appreciating the fine qualities of thick Sheffield steel again, since my shaving skills have evolved and improved over the past few years.

Overall, I think that thicker grinds were more forgiving when I was learning. Thicker grinds are more difficult (for me) to hone, but once well honed are as easy to maintain as a full hollow. They aren't more difficult to hone because of thickness, but because they usually have a curved/smiling edge, which requires more skill to get a consistent bevel, and in turn as keen an edge all along the edge, as a full hollow. Full hollows are usually have dead straight edges. They seem to just want to be sharp; curved wedges require some coaxing.

Once I had developed basic confidence and skill in shaving, they are interchangeable for me in terms of results. If I do my part, I get superb shaves with either. I really appreciate each, and have no hard preference. I'd hate to permanently shave with only one type for the rest of my life.

I love the deftness, feedback, and beauty of full hollows. And I love the history, craft, and gentleness of wedges.

Yes, the heavier grinds are more forgiving. Like FBS I had trouble w/ the flexible full hollow, and the 1/4 grind was just noobie nirvana. Possibly a downside to being more friendly, they allow you to substitute pressure for good technique. It could slow your learning if you let it. Now WITH good technique (I hope to develope some someday), they're magnificent. They remain my preferred blade, though you are now forced to buy vintage. I think TI was the last to make them, and I heard they discontinued them. I hope Revisor introduces them. Herr Wacker is unbelievable, but I fear they are also now scarce. Joseph Allen & Sons is a good vintage sheffield in 1/4 grind (the non-xll). If you seek heavier grinds you don't see in the classifieds - I would contact the vendors on the boards - have them keep their eyes open for them.

Ed,

I used to be obessed about the thicker blades - wedges & 1/4 grinds, but over time I have come to appreciate all blade grinds equally.

I have particularly tough whiskers, so I thought the less ground blades would be best for me; I found, as many others have found, that full hollows and even extra-hollows shave my tough beard with equal aplomb to the less ground blades !

It is nice to have a choice, so I use all grinds in my rotation :)

At the end of the day, if you have a razor that shaves you well, does it really matter what the grind is ?

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Hi Ed,

At this point I vote for full hollows, because I started with two antique-store razors, a full-hollow and a wedge. The full hollow was the only one I could get sharp enough to use. I've got a thick beard and thought I'd need the wedge to get through it, but the hollows work fine. I haven't tried the half or quarter hollows; eventually RAD will hit again and I'll look for some.

The only downside I can report on the full wedge is that it is really a lot of work to hone. That's why I haven't used it yet. If you've got one you're eager to use, but it's dull, send it out to a pro for honing.

Its total personal preference! I've got wedges, full hollows and other in betweeners and they all shave great.

What you go for is really down to what you like in a razor, and I guess the only way to find out what you like is to try a few out and see which you prefer!