Thread: Quarter Hollow Vs Extra Hollow

Howdy

So shaving is coming along nicely
I've recently bought the below two products and can now shave every other day if I don't butcher my face
Must thank this forum for the reccomendations, both amazing products and the tend skin helps heaps with irritation and ingrowns.

Tend Skin
Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet Shaving Cream

I have noticed that there is a big difference in comfort shave between my new Hart steel quarter hollow and a vintage extra hollow I restored.( hopefully links don't violate terms as i'm to lazy to lazy to find and upload)
https://toespade.wordpress.com/2015/...-hamburg-ring/

Now the Hart came shave ready, but was far from ready, gave it some love on the 16k shapton and this helped, but the restored blade I've given the full treatment to and shaves much better.

Does the hart razor need extra work to bring it to a better place, or is there some differences between grinds?


Cheers

Zim

There is some difference in grinds. Many prefer a hollow or extra hollow.

I really like my Hart razor. It did take extra time to get the edge where I like it. Mine was far from ready when delivered as well. I used naniwas until 10k and finished on a Zulu grey for the edge that works for me. That doesn't mean that will be your perfect edge however.

They shave very differently! In my experience the hollow grind blades give better feedback to you while you shave and I prefer them for my quick morning shaves. However, the heavier grinds just sliently mow through the hair and are great for multiple days worth of growth. I change the angle that I hold the blades slightly, holding the spine of the heavy blades a little farther from my skin. But...that might just be my bad form! lol
As for honing, the hollow grind blades are MUCH easier to hone. I still can't get some of my wedge and near wedge razors sharp and need to send them away but can tackle most any hollow grind. Maybe you should get some experienced help with the Hart and then you have a level playing field to compare?
How about some pictures, we love pictures

Some photos
Must be something in the angle of the blade, will take a closer look under the microscope tonight.

It probably needs some lower grit love first. Step back to an 8k and then work up to the 16k. If that doesn't fix it, step back to a 4k and work up. If that doesn't work, well, bevel set time.

Originally Posted by zimbyzim

Does the hart razor need extra work to bring it to a better place, or is there some differences between grinds?

People sometimes argue about grinds with much belief & fervour & no proof other than their own experiences but an almost incontrovertible truth is that factory edge ≠ shave ready.

lol definitely finding this is the case, only realised how much so when I did a direct comparison, one for each cheek

In my experience heavier grinds need more honing to get 'there'. I do prefer them to full hollows for shaving though. Not that I don't also like FH, just if I could only have one (perish the thought) it would be a 1/4 hollow, or even a wedge.

zymbyzim, you may want to consider sending your Hart razor out for a professional honing.
As has been mentioned starting to bring your Hart to shave ready with a 16k may have been a bit optimistic. It will make a great shaver but the work has to be done to bring it along.

I prefer full hollow grinds and mostly Japanese western straight razors. For me the full hollow provides feedback that I like as I shave and they are a pleasure to hone.

Your Hamburg Ring is a beauty and they are among the very best shavers. Congratulations.

With enough straight shaves you will find you will become comfortable with a full, half, quarter hollow or even a wedge. Shaving with the different grinds is a question of minor adjustments all shavers make when shaving. Please keep letting us know how it is going for you.

I think you will like your Hart steel once it is correctly tuned.

The main thing is to Enjoy.

I posted this about 1/4 ground razors the other day in an old thread: ("Hart razor and first BBS shave"):

"
My two Hart razors are my favorites, the 6/8 "breakthrough BBS shaver" and a recently acquired 7/8 Hart Steel round point which also shaves like a dream. A Le Grelot and a Wade&Butcher stand-by as close runners-up. All are 1/4 ground. I can get a great shave from 1/2 ground and full hollow straights, but prefer the weight of the 1/4 ground in my hand. The heft of a 1/4 ground gives me better positional feedback when held in my non-dominant hand, which is half of every shave. Shaving with a straight has improved my non-dominant hand's dexterity. Straight razors reward deftness of hand."

I agree that the 1/4 grounds need more honing than a extra hollow, simply because of the amount of metal presented to the hone at the edge. Honing technique and shaving technique are the yin and yang of wet shaving. They can not be separated (unless you leave honing to a pro). I bet that with some honing attention, the 1/4 grounds like the Hart Steel will shave with best of 'em. My Hart Steel razors are the equals of any razor I have ever tried including those prepared by honemeisters, and my honing skill is about average.

That said, the "feel" of the shaves of a Extra Hollow and a 1/4 ground are simply different. It's great that we get to choose our experience, as every man's preference is his own.