Thread: different grinds - advantages and disadvantages?

I am new and I noticed the different grinds on razors. I wanted to know what the advantages and/or disadvantages are for the different grinds. The only thing I came up with was ease of honing and the different sounds that the blades make when shaving. What are the other benefits or disadvantages of the different grinds, especially when it comes to the shaving experience?

thanks!

Grind weight is generally a tradeoff between sensitivity (full hollow) and smoothness (heavy wedge). There are, of course, honing differences as well. This is an oversimplification, but it's a good guideline.

Originally Posted by PDobson

Grind weight is generally a tradeoff between sensitivity (full hollow) and smoothness (heavy wedge). There are, of course, honing differences as well. This is an oversimplification, but it's a good guideline.

thanks but i need a bit more explanation than that.

In terms of shaving, I've shaved with both and received good both shaves from each type. There is a difference in sound, with the wedges making little noise as it cuts whiskers and the more hollow ground blades singing a bit as they cut whiskers. With a hollow ground you can hear the whiskers being cut, making that "spreading butter on toast" sound. Beyond that I haven't noticed any difference in the actual shaving and really don't have a preference.

This is what the Wiki says: The main objective of hollow ground blades is to make honing much easier. On a true wedge blade, the honer has to remove steel on the whole flank. By contrast, on a hollow ground, only the very edge of the blade and the flank of the spine are to be thinned, which requires much less effort. The spine must be applied on the stone (or the leather), it ensures that a constant honing angle is applied. During the lifetime of the razor, the blade is somewhat narrowed by successive honing cycles, but the spine is also thinned, thus the honing angle remains the same.

Originally Posted by ace

In terms of shaving, I've shaved with both and received good both shaves from each type. There is a difference in sound, with the wedges making little noise as it cuts whiskers and the more hollow ground blades singing a bit as they cut whiskers. With a hollow ground you can hear the whiskers being cut, making that "spreading butter on toast" sound. Beyond that I haven't noticed any difference in the actual shaving and really don't have a preference.

Thanks. your experience is good to hear.

I have both wedges and hollow grounds and both shave just as well as each other. There are differences in honing, but as long as you have a good edge they will all shave as well as each other. Then its just personal preference and what you like!

Personal preference is a big part of what grind is your favorite and any perceived advantages. But this is an informed preference developed through experience. I didn't really come to like hollow ground razors until I had been shaving with a straight for somewhere around two years and had the technique down. I also think blade weight plays a role. I really like the larger Solingen full hollow razors that have some heft, but I can take or leave most of the small, light full hollow razors. I just prefer a larger heavy razor over a smaller lightweight razor of the same grind.

Unfortunately the only way to discover some of these things is to experiment with lots of razors.

In my oppinion from first hand:

Full hollow-when I was newbie I start with full hollow razors. Main reason was honing (it's way easier to hone out full hollow than wedge).
After 2 years when I collect some experience in honing full hollows I decide to bought my first wedge razor and now I can say that's wedge razors way better shavers. Why? For me, main thing is their weight which is enough to shave smooth without adding additional pressure (or as little as possible). Full hollow razors especially 4/8 or 5/8 do not have such weight as wedge razors so some pressure have to be aplied during shave and that pressure sometimes can cause irritation or razor burn.
But, all in all, as other members said everithyng is in personal preference.
Someone like wedge or near wedge over full hollow someone like full hollow, just personal preference.
As for honing matter, when you collect enough experience it's the same, full hollow or wedge. These days I need almost same time to hone out wedge or full hollow.

Originally Posted by aramirez626

I am new and I noticed the different grinds on razors. I wanted to know what the advantages and/or disadvantages are for the different grinds. The only thing I came up with was ease of honing and the different sounds that the blades make when shaving. What are the other benefits or disadvantages of the different grinds, especially when it comes to the shaving experience?

thanks!

The absolute best shaving experience will come with a blade that's edge is maintained perfectly.

If you're way more gifted than I am - you'll be able to maintain your wedge... or you'll be sending it off for honing.

If you've got about the same skills as I do - and 90% of this forum base - maintaining a hollow grind razor is basically a no-brainer. The Spine and the Edge lay on the hone... you do x-patterns and in a few strokes you're off to the strop and a great shave.

I have to think a lot of 'wedge owners' - who are not experts - have a lot of hollow grinds they shave with while their wedges are in the mail.

I'd like to have a wedge at some point. Probably one I've rescued and learned to maintain most likely by a whole lot of trial, error and tips garnered here on SRP.

In the meantime and for instant gratification, maintaining my hollow grinds are a breeze and they shave wonderfully.