What is the best straight for a coarse/thick beard?
- Thread starter chris10
- Start date
I have a fairly coarse beard, and my thoughts are: as long as its honed properly, it should do the trick. Many people will say that a wedge is better because it weighs more and has less flex... I think that it is a true YMMV situation. Good luck sir!
I also think that any properly honed straight will work, but for my tastes I like a slightly heavier razor (but not quite a wedge). I tend to gravitate towards a 1/4 hollow.
Yep. To me it doesn't matter about the grind. It's what feels best in your hand that makes the difference; as long as it's honed properly.
+1. What these guys said!
i do like my wedges but any well honed razor does the job! Just tonight I used an extra hollow I just honed and like butter it took down my coarse thick hair
i do like my wedges but any well honed razor does the job! Just tonight I used an extra hollow I just honed and like butter it took down my coarse thick hair
I thought wedgy worked best until I got my Mappin & Webb which is very hollow and works great. But it could be that whoever honed that razor was a lot more competent than I am at it.
I've had good luck on Framebacks as well.
I've had good luck on Framebacks as well.
My beard is also pretty thick and coarse. I shaved with a full wedge today, for the first time. It was properly honed, and I got my best shave ever. I really like the thicker blade, it seems to be smoother on the face.
A well sharpened hollow grind. The more hollow, the better. I find large ones - 7/8+ - easier to use and small ones - 4/8 - more fun.
I don't have a thick or heavy beard, but agree that hone and edge count for the most when shaving. I love my extra and full hollows, and I love my 1/4s and liked the wedge I used. they provide a different feel and feedback, but they all do the job when properly honed.
the only grind I don't much like is 1/2 hollow in 5/8 and 6/8. the middle doesn't seem to please me, but I like the offerings at either end of the spectrum.
the only grind I don't much like is 1/2 hollow in 5/8 and 6/8. the middle doesn't seem to please me, but I like the offerings at either end of the spectrum.
There you go. As usual, no consensus. And opposite answers.
Since you are starting a collection, sounds like you need to get one of each type and see what works best for you.
In my case, I have a few favorite razors and they just have nothing in common. So I can not give a categorical answer.
My favorites so far are:
Hyena - 5/8 - 3/4 hollow
Fontenille (8) - 11/16 - near wedge
Mappin & Webb (Mr trustworthy) - 6/8 - full hollow
Leresche (trempe infernal) - Frameback
Le Grelot (Lotus) - 6/8 - 1/2 hollow
Go figure
Since you are starting a collection, sounds like you need to get one of each type and see what works best for you.
In my case, I have a few favorite razors and they just have nothing in common. So I can not give a categorical answer.
My favorites so far are:
Hyena - 5/8 - 3/4 hollow
Fontenille (8) - 11/16 - near wedge
Mappin & Webb (Mr trustworthy) - 6/8 - full hollow
Leresche (trempe infernal) - Frameback
Le Grelot (Lotus) - 6/8 - 1/2 hollow
Go figure
Full hollow, but that's only because that's what gave me this nice shave this morning.
Gillette Mach 3 ?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
1/4 hollow until you get more experience with straights, then the grind won't matter much.
I have curly coarse beard and my favourite straight razor is C.V. Heljestrand MK 30 or 31, both of them shave really nice coarse beard.
And I still have my Gillette Mach 3! It is reminding me from top of the cabin about really bad shaving
And I still have my Gillette Mach 3! It is reminding me from top of the cabin about really bad shaving
- Thread starter
- #15
Never a bad thing. And if you end up not liking them you can trade them on the forum for a fountain pen, a brush, or more!
Gold dollar with enough lapping film to hone it forever... I think it's more important to learn edge maintenance then blade type...
