How many people actually are able to try different grinds of blades?

[Isaac]

Well I am going to be traveling next week. I was honing an old Dovo that I have in preparation. Most of my straights are customs, so they are along the lines of a 1/4 hollow blade or a touch thicker. I enjoy these blades a great deal. So, this morning I broke out the Dovo and I have to say I had forgotten what it is like to shave with a full hollow grind. I have to say that I really do not care for it.

This had me thinking about the probability that many people have not been able to try different grinds of blades. The grinds do produce different types of shaves in my opinion. Not only do they produce different shaves, but they provide different experiences in regards to comfort.

The question I ask to anyone that may have tried, and given up on straights, is if they have tried various grinds?

 

[sychodelix]

The funny thing is, not all of the same grind are the same. One full hollow I tried, I never really liked. The Gold Dollar #66 I've been using lately, I love. But yeah, I like 1/4 hollows too.

 

[Shutterbug57]

For those of us who are unenlightened, likr me, please do tell is what the different perceptions/feels are. I am very interested as I have heard much good about Hart, but have only full ground in my experience.

 

[Isaac]

That is a diagram of most of the grinds available. From what I have read and understood over the years is that the more hollow the grind, the more specialized grinding material is needed. Most custom makers offer about a 1/4 grind on their razors. Full hollow will allow for more flexibility with the razor. It has been said that thicker hair tends to benefit from a thicker grind such as a full wedge or 1/4 hollow.

 

[shaverjoe]

I have tried the spectrum and I prefer full to 1/4 hollow. A full wedge is okay as well, but the only grind I didn't really enjoy was the extra hollow grind.

 

[Isaac]

I have tried the spectrum and I prefer full to 1/4 hollow. A full wedge is okay as well, but the only grind I didn't really enjoy was the extra hollow grind.

Im with you on that one

 

[shaverjoe]

Im with you on that one

The extra hollow grind felt too thin- almost like I was shaving with a DE blade.

 

[rockviper]

Tried about 5 different straights and I prefer heavier grinds. Hence, my only two straights are a 1/4-hollow wapi and my kamisori.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

The extra hollow grind felt too thin- almost like I was shaving with a DE blade.

. . . a DE blade, but without a razor attached. It's almost counter intuitive how much softer and less harsh the heavier grind feels on the face. You wouldn't expect it looking at them, but that honkin' big near-wedge is mellower than that dainty looking little extra hollow.

 

[global_dev]

...so they are along the lines of a 1/4 hollow blade or a touch thicker. I enjoy these blades a great deal. So, this morning I broke out the Dovo and I have to say I had forgotten what it is like to shave with a full hollow grind. I have to say that I really do not care for it.

I have tried the spectrum and I prefer full to 1/4 hollow. A full wedge is okay as well, but the only grind I didn't really enjoy was the extra hollow grind.

Im with you on that one :)

isaac, trying to follow the discussion, but i am not sure if you really like them or not..

I have tried a bunch of various grinds and shapes and i like them all. what didn't you like about full or extra hollow?, takes a delicate hand. what types of finishing did they have?

i think it's hard to describe the absolute feel of a razor in comparison to others, so many variables come into play, like size, weight, length, balance, steel, finish, technique, lather, and just for good measure brush used

 

[global_dev]

i think with a blade, flex plays a huge role in comfort as does finish. i am not saying it makes it more comfortable, though. what about the bellied straights or those with stabilizers, double, none.. man the variables seem endless.

 

[Isaac]

isaac, trying to follow the discussion, but i am not sure if you really like them or not..

I have tried a bunch of various grinds and shapes and i like them all. what didn't you like about full or extra hollow?, takes a delicate hand. what types of finishing did they have?

i think it's hard to describe the absolute feel of a razor in comparison to others, so many variables come into play, like size, weight, length, balance, steel, finish, technique, lather, and just for good measure brush used

Ive tried Eschers/Coticules/Shaptons/Pastes as far as finisher. I dont know what it is about wedges and 1/4 hollows. I find them more mellow and it feels better on the skin. I feel like there is some actual weight that gets behind the edge so to speak. It is a hard experience to describe. The more hollow grinds are just flimsy to me, and dont tend to leave me as smooth. I dont care for the scraping sound while shaving either. The whole experience is sub par for me when using a more flexible straight.

 

[global_dev]

It has been said that thicker hair tends to benefit from a thicker grind such as a full wedge or 1/4 hollow.

it has been said.. does that really make it true? does experience really bear that out?

i really like them all. from the wedge down to the extra

 

[global_dev]

Ive tried Eschers/Coticules/Shaptons/Pastes as far as finisher. I dont know what it is about wedges and 1/4 hollows. I find them more mellow and it feels better on the skin. I feel like there is some actual weight that gets behind the edge so to speak. It is a hard experience to describe. The more hollow grinds are just flimsy to me, and dont tend to leave me as smooth. I dont care for the scraping sound while shaving either. The whole experience is sub par for me when using a more flexible straight.

perhaps this is why i dislike the dovo bergischer lowe currently and like the Spanish 14s. the difference in weight is easily visible. i think i need more time with the BL to get used to the change though.

 

[global_dev]

i'd love for you to PM some pics of all your customs.. i am pretty sure i just made the transition from production to customs...

 

[smalltank]

I ALWAYS prefer near wedge and full wedge grinds..I have VERY coarse beard hair..I have tried different hollow and extra hollow grinds..but they just hesitate more when plowing through my beard and tends to miss spots more as well

 

[Wid]

I am in the full hollow camp. While I don't mind a near wedge I like the hollow grinds more.

 

[Isaac]

Its funny, in that we recommend newbies to try sample packs of razors for DE until they find the one that suits them well. This subject is hardly ever brought up when it comes to straights for the new straight shaver.

 

[global_dev]

Its funny, in that we recommend newbies to try sample packs of razors for DE until they find the one that suits them well. This subject is hardly ever brought up when it comes to straights for the new straight shaver.

i think because it's a very different experience. It's way more costly and/or involved and the edges aren't as consistent as DEs because of finishing. I though have seen plenty of "whats my next razor" threads that suggest sampling other grids/sizes.

if you aren't in whole hog to buy/sell/trade razors and finishing hones, it's kind of hard to sample.. its $1000 at a retail site for 5 or 6 different straights vs $10-$15 for a DE sampler. plus add in poor stropping, poor shaving and you would likely have an unhappy newbie. I think the newbie who enjoys the one or 2 whipped dogs will realize that he should try out some other stuff if he wants to understand the differences. maybe i am wrong, but a sampler of 5 razors at one time is a hard sell.

a 5 grind/size sampler might be interesting to put together from the bay if some newbie wanted to contribute some funds to help with it. what would you guys suggest a newbie to collect? I'd be up to contribute a 5/8s that dakotaev PIF'd and another one… maybe 4/8s or 6/8s to keep passing around, the 6/8s needs scales (as the current are way warped)

so i am thinking
4/8s
5/8s
6/8s
frameback
full hollow
1/4

 

[Isaac]

i think because it's a very different experience. It's way more costly and/or involved and the edges aren't as consistent as DEs because of finishing. I though have seen plenty of "whats my next razor" threads that suggest sampling other grids/sizes.

if you aren't in whole hog to buy/sell/trade razors and finishing hones, it's kind of hard to sample.. its $1000 at a retail site for 5 or 6 different straights vs $10-$15 for a DE sampler. plus add in poor stropping, poor shaving and you would likely have an unhappy newbie. I think the newbie who enjoys the one or 2 whipped dogs will realize that he should try out some other stuff if he wants to understand the differences. maybe i am wrong, but a sampler of 5 razors at one time is a hard sell.

a 5 grind/size sampler might be interesting to put together from the bay if some newbie wanted to contribute some funds to help with it. what would you guys suggest a newbie to collect? I'd be up to contribute a 5/8s that dakotaev PIF'd and another one… maybe 4/8s or 6/8s to keep passing around, the 6/8s needs scales (as the current are way warped)

so i am thinking
4/8s
5/8s
6/8s
frameback
full hollow
1/4

I agree that it is an expensive endeavor. I am just suggesting that perhaps there are a great deal of people that might have tried and given up on straights solely due to the grind of the razor that they tried out.