Thread: Extra Hollow Full Hollow and tough beards

I was reading through the thread on the Wacker razors http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ackerfans.html And it was noted about larger blades and stiffness especially on tougher beards or whiskers. Last night I was visiting with John Crowley about the Wackers and he asked me if my beard was wiry, because it if it was, then Extra Hollow might not be a good choice. A 1/2 Hollow, 1/4 Hollow or even wedge grind give better shaves with very stiff beards.

So it got me to thinking that a new question could arise. The attributes of a Extra Hollow, thin blades, do not lend themselves to people that have rather coarse beards? Too much flex at the cutting edge?

I've also noticed in my Wade & Butcher " The Celebrated Extra Hollow Ground Razor" that it says on the blade seems more like some of the others that say Full Concave or Full Hollow Ground. I have had an excellent shave with it, and comparable every bit to the Revisor 1/1 Full Hollow razor I have. One, W&B made in Sheffield, England, the Revisor, and quite a few others, made in Solingen, Germany.

I have never had that experience,
IMHO if you know what you are doing and the razor is properly honed there will be no difference.
My beard is pretty thick, I prefer hollows to wedges and they shave me just fine.

As Stefan said, I've never felt that the heavier grinds does better at heavy or coarse beards.
Properly honed, with the right technique, any blade I have tried has gotten me very good results.
I also shave my head, and even against the grain at the back of my head, a full hollow mows thru like it's nobody's business. This topic, I'm sure, will be of the YMMV kind

I've noticed some full hollow grinds feel "stiffer" than other full hollow grinds. I know my T.I. full hollow feels different than some of my Solingen full hollow blades. But would agree that you can get great shaves with anything from wedges to full hollows it's just what feel you prefer.

I've got a beard like that and I can shave with any grind. My least favorite is the extra hollow and my most favorite would be Swedish framebacks (real or faux) and 1/2 hollows.

I think this is a misconception based on the fact that half-hollows, wedges, etc. tend to be heavier. In my experience, a heavier blade will shave a tough beard more easily. Or a light beard, for that matter. Of course, that assumes equal edges; the edge is by far the most important variable.

I've got a tough beard and sensitive skin and I get a great shave out of all my blades, from wedge to full hollow. As long as they're well honed then they'll shave you well IMO.

This is definitely a YMMV thing and really down to each individuals taste and what they like.