Thread: Razor Terminology

I recently bought a FH Loeffler and I dont know if its full hollowed, half hollowed etc. How do you determine that, and blade size, what do you measure? Please help.

Originally Posted by georgej

I recently bought a FH Loeffler and I dont know if its full hollowed, half hollowed etc. How do you determine that, and blade size, what do you measure? Please help.

Your first question is determined by looking down the razor and seeing how the metal is ground. Blades are measured from spine to edge. Lots of info with illustrations in the wiki, linked here:
The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Post some pics and we'd be happy to help you out.

In terms of the hollowness, in the chart below number I is a full wedge, and the razor gets more hollowed as you go along the chart to number XIV.

The view here is looking at the razor end on.

The blade size is just the width of the blade from spine to the edge. Most razors tend to be between 4/8" and an inch in width. You can just measure this yourself with a ruler or something. Just make sure you dont knock the edge with the ruler and dull it..! The edges are very delicate and a bump with a ruler could easily damage it.

Good luck!

Wow, that information will help a great deal. I will post some pictures as soon as I figure out how.

I like this pictogram from the wiki.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I like this pictogram from the wiki.

That's actually what I was looking for. Where in the wiki is it and can it be copied to the "widths and grinds" section that I linked to? This is much more informative than the Henckels chart in that section.

It is actually in this form. Should probably put it somewher ea little easier to find.

Form:Straight Razor Database Submission Form - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by commiecat

That's actually what I was looking for. Where in the wiki is it and can it be copied to the "widths and grinds" section that I linked to? This is much more informative than the Henckels chart in that section.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

It is actually in this form. Should probably put it somewher ea little easier to find.

Form:Straight Razor Database Submission Form - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I propose replacing the Henckels chart in the wiki with the above image. Henckels chart doesn't really help identify a grind besides giving it a number, and the words are quite difficult to read.

Section is here: Straight Razor - Widths and Grinds. I think it's a good reference if someone were to say "I have a VII on the Henckels chart" but for anything else I think the GIF you posted is much better.

I can do that after lunch if the crew has no objections.

Here is a beauty in the making possibly? I think I loaded the pictures correctly. What do you think?

That looks like a very nice piece! With a little bit of work I get it would be a great shaver.