Thread: Full Hollow Shave

Ok so I bought a shave ready 5/8 full hollow ground and i did the face prep and lathered up
when i started to shave I stretched the skin there was some light tugging
so i eased up to let the razor do the work but then it started doing this bouncing effect. I did finish the shave but many short strokes passes were done. I also noticed the blade felt light in my hand and I do have a coarse heavy beard barbwire type Maybe i need a 6/8? wedge or half hollow?

Maybe you do...
I have a 5/8 Burrell full hollow and I love it; especially the 'feedback' and flex. It's just like a razor blade from a DE! Well, not really but you get the idea. I got a 4/8 W&B full hollow yesterday and shaved with it this morning. NICE razor, but it's so clear there's a difference between the two in regards to feedback and flex. That 1/8 of an inch makes all the difference in the world, and I guess the steel used as well. Maybe if you do have a coarse heavy beard something more substantial would suit you better. I understand wedges can be harder to hone; as more material needs to be removed. Why don't you trade with someone here? That's what I did; traded a 7/8 W&B for the 4/8 W&B and I'm very happy with the result..

My Full Hollow can get a little closer and be a little harsher. My Quarter hollow does much better at mowing down the coarse parts in my experience. The larger blades seem to work better for me, but I have only been doing this for a few months...

The tugging and bouncing is most likely a technique issue.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the majority of vintage razors are hollow ground.
Gentlemen and barbers shaved with hollows no matter what type of beard they were up against. The most thick, dense beard can easily be shaved with hollow ground razors. Does it require different technique? Yes. But I'd really like to see this notion that you have to use certain grinds for certain beards go away for good.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The tugging and bouncing is most likely a technique issue.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the majority of vintage razors are hollow ground.
Gentlemen and barbers shaved with hollows no matter what type of beard they were up against. The most thick, dense beard can easily be shaved with hollow ground razors. Does it require different technique? Yes. But I'd really like to see this notion that you have to use certain grinds for certain beards go away for good.

Agreed Ryan. It is almost definately either a techniquie issue or the razor is not honed well. I would vote for number 1. Make sure you are holding it at the right angle. 30ish. How many times have you shaved with a str8 so far?

Mellowace,

Ryan tells you right. A year ago I wrote numerous threads about grind, etc for similar reasons. I went 6 wks not being able to use my flexible full hollow. It was skill/technique. It would do fine on the light to med. stubble, then just stop when it hit the heavy timber. There are numerous techniques for dealing with it. 'Scything/guillotine strokes, low angle, and of course a well prepped edge.

Now- that said, Not all grinds are as easy to learn on. Some do fine w/ a full hollow right out of the gate. I was not one of them. The lovely bride bought me a 1/4 grind for my bday, and I thought I was in heaven. Suddenly, the shave was easy and alot more fun. Also, those stretches and strokes I struggled to learn - could be done on the heavy grind - then I found I could do them on the full hollow also. With the increased skills, my flexible full hollow suddenly became a good shaver. Go figure!

If you have only one razor, perhaps a heavy grind might be a choice for a 2nd one. I have no doubt that you'll be able to use almost any size/grind within a few months. I still have and very much love my 1/4 grind. They're a bit harder to find used, but I love it. My other preference is the extra hollow - which I could not have used when I started.

You'll get there.

You might see if there are any forum members down under that would be willing to let you try one of their heavy grinds.

I think this whole grind and size thing to match beard started because folks were having issues learning and it makes perfect logical sense to the uninitiated that if you have a heavy tough beard no little dainty razor could ever do the job. Of course we all know this to be untrue but many still swear it is true.

Of course the ultimate debunker for this theory is just look at classic barbers. They used mainly hollow grinds and 5/8s and 6/8s razors and they shaved everyone who came into the shop with equally superb shaves.

While I am still a Newbie with only six months of experience under my belt, the major difference I experience between a wedge and a full hollow is the sound that is made as the razor does it's work.

A full hollow has a rather loud but nicely crisp audible sound like "buttering dry toast."
A half hollow or quarter hollow simply muffles that sound a bit, as if the toast was not as dry.
A wedge shaves with total silence.

I enjoy all three experiences and find the outcome of the shave to be indistinguishable between the three. Among my current top five razors are a wedge, a quarter hollow, two half hollows, and one full hollow. YMMV.

I too agree with Ryan that it is most likely technique. I started with a half hollow ground blade, but quickly went to a extra full hollow ground blade and I love it. Perhaps you should pick up a second razor that is of a heavier grind to start and then try the full hollow grind later on.

I don't think it's the blade, it's more than likely a technique thing rather than anything else.

I reckon you should learn this blade before getting a new one. If you keep all the variables as constant as possible that'll help you get the technique down.

I did the same when I started, thought my blade was dull or the wrong sort and after a few weeks it all fell into place!