Thread: Extra Hollow Full Hollow and tough beards

Originally Posted by Higo

The hollow-grounds is a product of better technology rather then a better shaver.

I might disagree with you there. Full and extra hollow razors will take a wicked edge, and quicker than a wedge or 1/4 hollow. Obviously this would be a benefit for barbers or anyone looking to "simplify" their honing routine. Does this make them "better shavers"? Maybe, and perhaps maybe not? But is does mean you have to be more aware of technique and pressure.

In the end it matters not. Extra hollow, 1/2 hollow, wedge - they all have their place in the shave den....

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I might disagree with you there. Full and extra hollow razors will take a wicked edge, and quicker than a wedge or 1/4 hollow. Obviously this would be a benefit for barbers or anyone looking to "simplify" their honing routine. Does this make them "better shavers"? Maybe, and perhaps maybe not? But is does mean you have to be more aware of technique and pressure.

In the end it matters not. Extra hollow, 1/2 hollow, wedge - they all have their place in the shave den....

All very true, Ryan and others. I even shaved off my mustache some years ago with a regular Imperial pocket knife I had, and still have. Sharpened it to no visible edge and then stropped it on my leather belt. Took off the wiry lip hairs like no tomorrow. That was WAAAY before I knew much about straight razors, or even before internet was around. We're talking late 70's here.. 1970. But, it had no particular grind and cut the coarse hairs off with out much fan fare.

So I agree, yes, there is only the edge and the facial hairs and how they meet and how sharp are the edges for the job. Cutting aside, I was merely curious if the Extra Hollow Ground, "thinner" blades were a more comfortable shave? Did they glide along the skin, whacking off whiskers and giving allowance to the nuisances of a persons face. Other extreme would be a hatchet, or obsidian. And either will cut whiskers, but probably not my first choice.. LOL

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Singing razor ? Maybe it is the birds chirping that I hear from my tinnitus but I haven't heard a razor "sing" yet. They call them Silver Steel, Manganese Steel, Super Keen Cutting Steel, Pumamaster Steel, and God only knows what all, to get people to buy them. Same reason they produce different grinds and mention it.

As Robert Doyle said in "Collecting Straight Razors" 1980, "By 1870 the full hollow blade took over the market. The large wedge blade was losing popularity and was doomed in 1880 with the invention of machine forging." If it wasn't for the resurgence of popularity in straight razor shaving by a niche market the few heavier grind razors available probably wouldn't exist. IMHO.

I think this is a case of something that's not going to stop until someone agrees with him- I have many razors,different grinds but all have good edges and they shave well,the rest is called preference and also marketing,I cant sell you the same thing ad-infinitum,I have to have a "New and Improved grind,steel,or some other angle" The best answer has already been given-YMMV. Anything else is pointless as just look at how many different blades are out there and we all have our favorites,and some of them come from the same manufacturer of a blade we don't like,but since we don't know that our favorite brand made them we think there different. Also I didn't name anyone as HIM so if you think its you....it might be.
PS- Ive also never heard a razor singing either,and I been using a straight since I'm 17,and I'm now 56,you do the math

I am bald on the head, but facing a strong and thick beard growth. But this is no match for my Prima Klang.

And I guess other straight razors will do the job as well.

I have an extra hollow/heavier grind{not heavy just heavier) that shaves very well.Whatever the grind epiphet(hollow/half hollow) there are different grind weights,nothing is simple,it might even be art making razors.I know most people use the description extra hollow to mean razors like Dovo Prima Klang/Otto Bush/Dubl duck etc very thin blades.TI doesnt seem to follow the cliche/description.
Sorry if ive gone off the plot

Achieving an extra hollow grind on a razor requires considerable skill and experience. The so called "singing" grind on the TI razors I have seen is far cry from what I consider extra hollow.

I believe dovo discontinued the Prima Klang. It was probably not very cost effective for them to produce, and I would I imagine craftsmen who can perform this kind of grind can be counted on one hand.

There is a reason why most artisan custom razors have heavier grinds.

The bellied hollow grinds are certainly a work of art. The workmanship is amazing.

I have a 7/8 and 6/8 Otto Busch razors. Both extra hollow blades. Prefer them as the sound helps me keep the proper angle. They get louder as the angle become too steep/ less optimum.
Also they are much easier to hone and touch up. Very few strokes are necessary to get the edge shaving well again. The size/width of the bevel is very small/thin. So very little steel needs to be removed, vs heavier grinds I believe. My 2cent. Ken.