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!

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.