Thread: Different grinds—different techniques?

I’ve been shaving with a straight razor now for several weeks, and I feel quite comfortable with it. I haven’t nicked myself in many shaves, and I manage to shave all areas. I mastered the upper lip a chin last. But I consistently get a better, once-pass shave with my Wostenholm wedge than I do with a vintage half hollow (maybe quarter hollow). Both were honed in January. Is the hollow grind simply harder to master?

I found when i started new with straights that more hollow blades were easier to get along with. Heavy wedges and me didnt get along until a couple years into straight razor shaving.


Now days the only difference in the shave with either grind of blade is What i feel like using.

I didn't have a wedge to shave with at first and it was an adjustment to get used to. Like Jerry, it is just po-TAE-to/po-TAH-to now.

Originally Posted by Gasman

I found when i started new with straights that more hollow blades were easier to get along with. Heavy wedges and me didnt get along until a couple years into straight razor shaving.


Now days the only difference in the shave with either grind of blade is What i feel like using.

Yeah, I agree, maybe i should try a wedge so I can walk the walk

I think that you answered your own question....

No matter what size or grind, they all typically shave the same. IMO

Some are just better than others,...sometimes.

I adore the wedge grind over the full hollow's, but have no issues shavin with either or all grinds.

That is part of the reason I went to keeping the same razor for a week. It let me be more efficient with each razor before I switch. It makes no difference now but I still typically do multiple shaves with each razor.

The business end of them are all the same. They will shave as well as they're honed. I used to think wedges were all that long time ago. But it's as subjective as anything else. Use what you like for whatever reason.

If a razor is properly honed the bit that meets the stubble is near enough identical in width regardless of grind.
The steel & heat treat, the lather, the shaving angle etc .etc.. They're the variables.

I think the big difference is the weight and the way it feels in your hand plus the sound as it pops the hairs.