Thread: Terminology question

I see on some older razors, say pre WW1, "Hollow Ground" stamped or etched on the blade. I have new full hollow razors, and the grind is very different. So, I was wondering if the term "Hollow Ground" on the older razors just means it's NOT a wedge. Or to be more specific, does this mean that the "hollow" grind could be anywhere from 1/4 grind to full hollow, and that I need to get the profile validated? Or, for that era, a "Hollow Ground" razor meant full hollow according to the standards of the time? Thanks

Yes hollow means not flat ground (true wedge). There are degrees of hollow used more frequently on modern razors.

You have also perhaps noticed that terms like 'best', and 'finest' do not necessarily equate to a companies top model either? Some things are a little confusing

MOST blades are hollow ground but the extent of the grind is what they are referring to. It's pretty hard to come by a TRUE wedge of the blade as the entire blade would be the bevel?? Even on 'wedges', you will see a slight hollow grind.

Hey There

So as stated the word "hollow" is somewhat subjective. There are varying degrees of hollow grind by the more modern standards.
That's why you often see "1/4 hollow grind", "1/2 hollow grind" etc. There is also another factor at play here, technology. Some of the older razors I have restored, say 1800's, that are "hollow ground" were probably considered to be fairly hollow ground for the time, but were closer to true wedge. You can also see razors stamped with "full hollow ground" that as time went on, were more hollow too.

Full wedges are honed differently than hollow ground razors. The same basic principles are employed but the spine is lifted off the hone using whatever method (tape, guide). I think the factories used guides to hone the razors but now we use tape to life the spine. That in itself lifts most of the blade width off the hone aside from the bevel which is the aim.

Thanks

Carl - SRH

Originally Posted by brooksie967

MOST blades are hollow ground but the extent of the grind is what they are referring to. It's pretty hard to come by a TRUE wedge of the blade as the entire blade would be the bevel?? Even on 'wedges', you will see a slight hollow grind.