FAQ: What are the advantages and disadvantages of a hollow grind?

What it is: A hollow grind features symmetric, concave surfaces ending in a thin, extremely sharp edge. A hollow grind doesn't produce a very strong edge, and therefore generally isn't suitable for sustained use on hard or fibrous materials.

What it's good for: Straight razors (shaving), hunting (skinning), food preparation (slicing), axes (special "speed grind" used on some competition axes).

How to sharpen it: Traditionally, hollow-ground straight razors have been sharpened on leather strops, aided by abrasive stropping compound. Most of the hollow-ground knives produced today have a secondary V-bevel at the edge, and so can be sharpened on a stone or other flat hone, or by using a guided sharpening system. Because a hollow-ground blade has the potential to be extraordinarily sharp, however, it can benefit greatly from stropping.

What you may not know: The concave surfaces of a hollow grind tend to draw the work against the blade and toward the edge before the flat surfaces (higher on the blade) push it away, which is why many knife lovers prefer this profile for slicing and skinning.

For more information about sharpening your knives, whatever the grind, visit our Knife Sharpening page.