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I really can't explain it but for some reason the heavier blades just seam to plow through the beard better than the hollow ground. both blades are very sharp and passes the dreaded hanging hair test. both blades are 6/8 in size and they both are Sheffield's.. I honed both this morning and tried them out to night. both shaved the beard but the lighter blade required more pressure. I've only been doing this for less that a year but I wonder does anyone else have the same results.
Yes, absolutely. The Hayashi's and wedges and other heavy razors will always feel like they're pulling less, they're more massive.
A smaller razor with a super light grind will be much more sensitive to sharpness.
The two lightest razors I ever used, a 4/8 Mann razor and a 5/8 Wiss razor were both small and VERY lightly ground, and very sensitive to sharpness.
The flip side of that is a fat bevel from a fat grind has more drag on the face. My favorite compromise is to have a fat razor spine and then a very light double hollow grind. That's not a common combination, and it usually shows up only on expensive razors. That gives a razor a little bit of weight to get through heavy hair, but not at the expense of having too much contact on the face nor at the expense of a little singing from the razor as it pings its way through the hairs.
I was thinking this, this morning when doing the fools pass, thinking my heavier blades feel better and the full hollows seems to leave weepers more.
I'm on the other team I have a few big hollows 8/8 and 15/16 and I've also owned a few wedges Wade & Butcher and a modern Wacker wedge and found neither of those razors can match my big hollow blades in a shaving match up.
Any and all grinds works just fine for me.
That said, there is nothing like a full hollow for that "million dollar man" feeling
Difficult idea... If weight is the determining factor ; why does the Feather Straight work so well??
Your beard only sees the very edge and doesn't care about the size or grind or weight. If you experience differences it's the way you are using the razor. Sometimes little things can cause you to use the razor in a different fashion and you might not even be aware of it. Also maybe some of your razors might be sharper than others.
I'm still new and have a few full hollows and a Vincent & Peny 1/4 ground and even though I like them all, I find myself liking the 1/4 ground a little better. I'm not sure why but as thebigsendur said, I must be doing something different.
Since I put this in the forum I have had a chance to think and shave some more. I ordered some shaving soap from SRD and when I got it they had sent me some samples of other soaps and lotions. I tried the Jagger Sandalwood last night followed by the moisturizing aftershave lotion. as far as the sandalwood cream goes I have never seen so much lather. and the lotion was just wonderful. now saying all that leads me to this. I tried the same hollow ground Wade and Butcher last night and noticed that if I go with the grain first and then against the grain it does just fine. where as the heavy blades I can go with against or in any direction and have no problem. it seams like the heavy blades just plow through most any beard in any direction. anyway that's just my thoughts. OH YEA THANKS SRD FOR THE SAMPLES WHEN I RUN OUT OF THE OTHER I KNOW WHAT TO ORDER.Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
The heavier blades with their weight provide some of the pressure for you. Personally I like lighter blades. I like to control the pressure without having to "hold back" the weight of the blade. I feel that a slip of the hand with a heavier blade might also allow it to drop and cause injury whereas a light blade will just stop without cutting. Just a personal preference. I'm not a big, burly guy; if I was I might prefer the heavier blades. (I do shave with my 7/8 Hart Steel quite often, though.)
For me, while a wedge is very nice, some better than others, my preference is with the big hollows, they have a great heft to them and the finesse to go with it...just the best of both worlds in my opinion.
Ive only been at it for 6 months or so and with 4 shave ready razors in my arsenal. i think the wedgier ones(at least 1/4 hollow or lower) work better for me, especially on the chin area where the whiskers are the toughest. I've even put my DD goldedge out of rotation because even after a professional honing it seems to pull. Is there really not a better razor for a particular beard type?
from my side burns down to my chin any razor will work as long as it's sharp. when it comes to my chin well the heavier blades whether it is a full hollow wide blade or 6/8 wedge or near wedge the heavier blades works better for me. I try to keep my razors shave ready so I guess it's really up to the individual.
Weepers have nothing to do with the grind & everything to do with the edge &/or user... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Substance
As for wedges vs hollows read thebigspendurs reply: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ml#post1342729
Anyone that thinks a wedge shaves a heavy beard 'better' than a full hollow is arguing for their limitations. The razors are simply not equally honed or the technique is lacking. Personal preference is another kettle of fish.
a heavier blade might be tricking your senses into allowing more pressure to be applied without you really thinking about it
:idea:Just got a B J Erye off the bay that had a chip in it. Hollow ground but still fairly thick at the spine and 6/8 wide. after honing I couldn't wait to used it. now it's not as heavy as my diamond edge Wade and Butcher 7/8 but it seems to plow through the chin whiskers just like the wedge where the extra hollow ground blades tin to stop when going against the grain first pass. now the C-M0n didn't. it also went against the grain first pass but with more pressure. I guess I need to try them ALL.
Excellent - know what you mean about the W&B Diamond Edge, I'm not usually a fan of wedges, but the Diamond Edge was fantastic, big chunk of Sheffield steel, mine is 7/8 as well, and it purred like a lion, was a fantastic blade to use, and now I have a wedge that I will use regularly. I do two ATG passes, so by the second pass, only the odd straggler is left....:DQuote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
I just can't get my head around a properly honed blade of any grind being stopped by whiskers. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
For me I like to use light pressure. my beard around the chin area is heavy and thick. If I go with the grain first then heavy blade or light works. but if i''m in a hurry and go against the grain first then the heavy blade plows right through and the extra hollow ground either stops or skips. either makes me a little uneasy. now that's just me everyone else may and very likely is different.Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
Stopping or skipping is a sign of poor lather, poor honing, or high angle of attack but I haven't seen it all so maybe I'm missing something.Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
every beard is different and each persons attack at it is also a little different. at my age I still learn something new each day. the trouble is at my age I also forget something every day.
It's all the more reason to keep at it with a hollow grind so you figure out what you are doing wrong that it simply doesn't work for you.
If you haven't already, one thing to try would be shaving with the full hollow flat as possible. One of my early restores was foiled to such a thinness that it takes the slightest touch to deflect the blade. It taught me all about a light touch for honing & laughs at my whiskers but the spine is mostly in contact with my face in use.Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley