Thread: Does a shave from a SR that's more hollow or less effect the shave?

Does a shave from a SR that's more hollow or less effect the shave? or is it more cosmetics?

it affects how you feel the razor.
The sharpness of the razor will affect closeness, in a sense. If the razor is not sharp enough it will not shave as well ( close I think is incorrect term) leading to more pressure which leads to razor burn.

Either the razor is sharp or it isn't. The only real variable to the grind is the weight of the blade, some guys like it on the heavy side, some of them believe its better for a course or tough beard. Some people dont like the feed back that a hollow will give.

The only difference I've been able to tell so far is the following:

1) A full hollow razor "flexes" move and is more likely to give you a weeper than a razor that is not as hollow.

2) The weight of the razor

3) How many laps it takes to hone the razor. Full hollow is gonna hone up much faster than a wedge since there's less steel to remove.

I would love to have a couple razors from the same maker, from around the same manufacture time, with different grinds to compare a little better. I do have 2 atm that are not finished being restored yet. They are both Wade & Butchers, but one is a wedge, and the other is close to, if not, 1/2 hollow.

I plan on slapping some scales on them soon, and honing them up and checking them out.

to be clear, I've tried razors with different grinds, but it's hard to compare them since the make (brand) is different. I can't really compare a Fili full hollow to a Wapi 1/4 hollow...it's not fair by any means.

In short they only affect HOW you shave, and technique=number one cause of problems so.... yes they affect your shave but they affect everyone differently according to style and preference. LOL. Great help right?

If you want an easy blade- look for something on the small side- 5/8ish in quarter hollow. Very stiff- so they don't catch-skip-nick like a full hollow might. Smaller- more maneuverable. If you want more generic go for a 5/8 or 6/8 half hollow or stiff full hollow. Then you can go smaller or bigger, fuller or wedgier as you feel your tastes allow.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

I would love to have a couple razors from the same maker, from around the same manufacture time, with different grinds to compare a little better. I do have 2 atm that are not finished being restored yet. They are both Wade & Butchers, but one is a wedge, and the other is close to, if not, 1/2 hollow.

Sounds like a great experiment. I have a blade perfect for it- the Hess 42. Now you've enabled my RAD to get a 44 (well, re-enabled, this is my most sought after razor...)

They are the same but one is quarter hollow the other is full.

Originally Posted by khaos

Sounds like a great experiment. I have a blade perfect for it- the Hess 42. Now you've enabled my RAD to get a 44 (well, re-enabled, this is my most sought after razor...)

They are the same but one is quarter hollow the other is full.

Sorry khaos

Didn't mean to flare up your RAD

I don't really expect any great revelations from the experiment, but maybe it will give a LITTLE bit of clarity to an act that has SO many different variables...I can see this is gonna be a LONG term project trying to find the best razor for me

Well up til my camera broke I had a great system- limit of seven razors, double elimination. If a razor gets beat by an eighth/new razor, it gets sold. Progressively your razors get better and you manage (but not cure ) your RAD.

Yeah, there are differences. Heavier grinds on razors tend to be favored by new guys because they allow you to get better results with poor technique. Many new shavers claim they need a heavy grind razor because they have a really heavy beard... Then, they find out later that they can get as good or better results from full hollows.

I hope this helps.

Take a Dubl Duck Goldedge or Wonderedge for instance VS a Wade and Butcher wedge, both are great shavers. The honing will ultimately have something to say about the shave regardless of the grind. Yes, the full hollow has some give to it when you shave and the wedge does not. I started out with Full Hollow's. I was Wedge challanged for a while. I got so used to shaving with a full hollow that when I finally got a wedge, I thought it sucked...

Rich- exactly! This is why I recommend the stiff grind- easier to use/less technique.
Zib- also exactly! when I got a big chopper it took some getting used to.

Overall I think a sharp blade is a sharp blade. Dunno if you get a better shave off a full hollow other than they can flex to your face a little better and they are easier to maintain and thus keep wicked sharp I guess.