Thread: Differences between 1/4 hollow ground and full hollow ground

For the past three years I've been shaving with a full hollow ground razor, it's the only straight razor that, until now, I've ever really used. I just honed a 1/4 hollow ground (6/8" or 7/8") to shave ready condition and must say that I prefer the feel of the shave with this razor, it just feels smoother for me. It may also be that my older razor is simply in need of a honing (only been touched up in the last three years, never actually re-honed). I'll give that one a fresh honing and then try to compare at that point.

Still, are there actually shavability differences between 1/4 and full hollow ground? Does one do some things better than the other? I have very sensitive skin and pretty heavy facial hair if that makes any difference.

I find that a heavier grind is more forgiving of technique and/or honing than a full hollow. Mostly because the full hollow tends to jump or bite, while a heavier grind, since it doesn't flex, will just move on along.

That said, with a good edge and proper technique, any grind and any size, so long as it's a quality razor, will give you a great shave.

Full hollows make such a racket, I find it distracting until I see the blood.

Originally Posted by ace

Full hollows make such a racket, I find it distracting until I see the blood.

The BIG singers rule))

If it works for you..enjoy..I prefer near/full wedges..BBS almost everytime...hollow blades tend to "miss" extra spots that heavier grinds would had smoothed out :-)

I have about 21 razors in rotation right now. About 1/3 of these are 1/4 hollow or near wedge grinds. I get a great shave with all of these, but right now I am leaning towards the full or extra hollows. I have to shave every day, 3 passes. That being said, YMMV and things may change for me in a couple months, the trip is half the fun.

When you shave your skin only sees the very edge of the razor. If it's equally sharp technically speaking the shave should be the same no matter the grind or size for that matter. What happens is your interaction with the razor changes. The size, weight, feel, feedback and other factors make you use it differently.It may be conscious or sub-conscious but those are the things we like about certain razors over others.