Thread: Different razor grinds?

Hi,

I purchased my first straight razor 3.5 weeks ago and I purchased a full hollow thinking it may be a little more of a learning curve opposed to the lesser hollows but once I mastered the full hollow I would not have to advance in a razor grind apart from the extra full hollows.

I was under the assumption before I made my razor purchase the full hollows are the best in a close shave and feedback and the preference of an experienced shaver.

But now after frequent visits to SRP I think I may have mislead myself as I notice some razor manufactures are making nothing but wedges and quarter hollows so now I am thinking there must be benefits to these razor grinds as well. Also I notice after reading some posts that these lesser grinds are the preference to some experienced shavers.

So I am wondering if anyone knows of an internet link on SRP or another site that explains the pros and cons of the different razor grinds or if some members may like to take the time to explain?

Thanks.

You should be able to search on this forum to find the information you require. From my experience, the hollows are more "vocal" in terms of feedback, but I can get a fine shave from a wedge all the way to a full hollow. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Razor grind is really just a matter of personal preference. I think that when you're starting out, you're better off with a stiffer grind like a quarter hollow or perhaps half hollow.

+1 for John's post. You can shave any kind of beard w/ any grind of blade. There's some that think the heavier grinds are easier to learn with, but that may not be true for you. It was for me.
There's more going on with your learning of technique than a change of grind can make up for. If you're shaving w/ a full hollow now - no need to change that unless you want another blade for backup or while the other is out being touched up. If you get another blade - maybe try a 1/4 grind or wedge. If you were nearby, I'd say come on over & try my gear - so you don't have to buy one of everything to see what the differences are about. Perhaps a post in the shaving forum to see if there are other str8 shavers near you. For the first few months, learning the shave is way more important than having 'just the right gear'. It'll come. You'll get better at technique and be able to use about any razor. Keep at it. Keep posting w/ the issues you encounter. You'll have the best shaves of your life very soon.

Razor grind is a personal preference. You will hear from both schools of thought as to which is the best. I am about 5 months into straight razor shaving and after a lot of experimentation I have come to prefer wedge to near quarter hollow razors. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME RIGHT, it is just my preference. You will probably hear from others who think full hollows are the only way to go. The longer you shave with straights the more you will learn and once RAD takes hold the more razors you will experience. Good luck There is truly no right answer for everyone as to which grind is best.

If you are cutting wood, meat or cheese, a hollow grind blade will sink further and more easily into the material than a flat-ground one. But in shaving, the material parts after a couple of thousandths of an inch penetration, which is less than the width of the bevel. So this logic doesn't apply at all. In use it is simply a matter of the full hollow ground razor being lighter, scooping up the lather a little better. The thinnness behind the edge makes it faster to hone, and it will stand more honing before that more-than-a-hair's-breadth bevel starts become excessively wide.

Oh, and it looks better. That is not an entirely illegitimate view, for a full or extra hollow ground razor is certainly more of a technical tour de force than a wedge.

IMO a great shave is more dependant on technique rather than the type of razor.

Originally Posted by whavens

Razor grind is a personal preference. You will hear from both schools of thought as to which is the best. I am about 5 months into straight razor shaving and after a lot of experimentation I have come to prefer wedge to near quarter hollow razors. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME RIGHT, it is just my preference. You will probably hear from others who think full hollows are the only way to go. The longer you shave with straights the more you will learn and once RAD takes hold the more razors you will experience. Good luck There is truly no right answer for everyone as to which grind is best.

This has been my experience also.