Thread: Questions about shaving with an extra hollow

I've heard the extra hollow razors flex, and this makes them harder for beginners to use without nicks or irritation, but I've also heard the flex makes it easier for experienced shavers to get a closer shave.

I've been shaving with full hollows daily for about 10 months, and have reached the point where I get a comfortable BBS shave except for a few trouble spots. I think I may have relatively coarse wiskers, since I still have a grey, stubbly appearance even when the skin feels BBS. Would an extra hollow (like the Prima Klang) likely work better (or worse) for me for my 2 trouble areas below ?

My most troublesome spot is in the hollow alongside my trachea, where the wiskers grow sideways. Stretching the skin to the outside and shaving with an "outside toward the center" diagonal pass with a lot of sything does the best job - but still doesn't result in a BBS shave. Using a little pressure on the resulting XTG / ATG combination pass gets the hairs, but causes a rash-like razor burn. Would an extra hollow flex enough to get the hairs in the hollow better - or would the flex just cause more razor burn ?

The other troublesome spot is under the corners of my mouth, and sides of my chin. I can get the areas to stop looking stubbly, but it takes 3.5 (or sometimes 4) passes since the area is a little hollow, and has more &/or coarser wiskers. Would an extra hollow cut the coarser wiskers in those hollows better than a full hollow, or just cause more irritation ?

Also, since I have several areas with swirling grain on my neck, my initial N-S has patches that are XTG or ATG. My neck hairs are a little less coarse than my face though (probably average coarseness). So is it likely that an extra hollow would do OK with swirling grain, or would the flex cause it to deflect inward on ATG wiskers and just cause more razor burn ?

Thanks.

I really dont think it makes much difference. A wedge will shave you just as well as a hollow as long as your technique and prep are good.

I have the same problem along the hairline at the base of my neck where the stubble grows left to right. Skin stretching and a variety of passes gets that spot pretty well I find!

That said, if you want to get a new razor and see how the shave compares then go for it..! People do prefer different razors, so experimentation is key.

Thats what I tell my therapist anyway..

Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm not in the camp who think you need to use a certain razor to deal with a certain beard type or problem area. It's like driving a car. if you are competent you can get into any vehicle within reason and just drive. Yes some find using a wedge or part wedge easier and to me that's because the blade is big and heavy and that helps and it has little or no feel. You probably just need more practice and need the best way to attack those problem areas and how to best stretch to present that area to the razor.

First make sure your razor is proper sharp and then make sure you aren't changing the angle improperly while doing these areas or are using more pressure without realizing it. Then just experiment with the other stuff.

I have a Dovo 5/8 Silver Steel Full Hollow and recently purchased the Dovo 5/8 Prima Klang Extra Hollow. For me it does have a lighter more maneuverable feel. I have only shaved once with it so far but so far I prefer it.

--Shoki

I have 22+ (what my cabinet holds) razors in my "rotation" and will repeat what was stated as above. It's not the razor's amount of hollow. You CAN use that as an excuse for a new if you wish. I have found that for the hollow area around my adams apple a shorter razor like a depew or like my little MAB razor "gets in there" a little better. I typically shave wtg, a combination of xtg & atg, followed by atg. On this area, my first pass with a normal length razor is a scything motion, right hand for the left side of my throat and left hand for the right side of my throat...stretching and facial contorting to keep the skin tight. Second pass is a left to right or right to left straight cut atg on the throat area. Last pass is upwards, using facial contortions and neck rotation to keep the skin tight. As always, a well honed razor is just one of the keys to a bbs shave every time.
Hope this helps,
Scott

Originally Posted by shooter74743

On this area, my first pass with a normal length razor is a scything motion, right hand for the left side of my throat and left hand for the right side of my throat...stretching and facial contorting to keep the skin tight.

How do you point the scales during right hand for the left side / left hand for the right side pass?

Thank you,
--Shoki

IMHO there is little difference between your typical full hollow and what they call "extra hollow", it's mostly marketing if you ask me. Light touch with next-to-no pressure and good technique will provide a BBS shave more surely than buying a different type of razor. Maybe try a slight scything stroke, it may provide what you are looking for.

Originally Posted by Shoki

How do you point the scales during right hand for the left side / left hand for the right side pass?

Thank you,
--Shoki

Right hand (left is simply reverse): I grasp the tang with thumb and index finger, scales down, middle finger providing stabilization on the tail, pivot of the scales in between as below...
Hope this helps,
Scott