Thread: Zowada Website - double bevel info. updated

... But does it shave better...

What is the advantage of a double bevel?

I would think sharp is sharp. I'm naive. On wedges a single bevel with tape should resolve the speed of honing issue. What is the fundamental advantage of a double bevel beyond the fact that it is possible?

- Bob

I have experimented with the method on a lot of razors and am sticking with the traditional single-bevel method.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

I have experimented with the method on a lot of razors and am sticking with the traditional single-bevel method.

Can you explain why? I'm just curious. I'd think the steeper angle of the second bevel would need to be touched up more often because of the finer edge and less metal behind it?

Mark

Originally Posted by Milton Man

Can you explain why? I'm just curious. I'd think the steeper angle of the second bevel would need to be touched up more often because of the finer edge and less metal behind it?

Mark

One reason is that I don't want to have to put three pieces of electrical tape on the spine every time that I hone a razor. It does take less time than my traditional methods with high quality slow cutting natural stones, but when I compared identical razors honed using the different methods (repeated the tests several times) I preffered the shave that the single bevel method provided with my razors. I had a few of my razors honed with the double bevel method for a while but I have since brought them back and feel that they shave just a little better. This has been my experience, but your's might be different.

Thanks David - I was really just curious - I'm still trying to master the single bevel method, nevermind throwing something new into the mix...just curious about the reasoning/results.

Mark

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding long-term use of the double-bevel method? I can understand it's use on knives etc - those implements don't have a deliberate relationship between edge and spine, so asymmetry in metal removal between spine and edge is not a structural issue.

But on straights, do people feel this could be a long term issue?

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

...
But on straights, do people feel this could be a long term issue?
...

I don't think so. The cutting edge still only sees a single bevel angle. Some Japanese razors have a bevel on only one side. Some American Indian tribes also put a bevel on only one side of a knife, even today. As long as both sides of the cutting edge are free of burrs, meet somewhat evenly, and are polished a bit: I'd say it's a sharp edge and not a long term issue at all.

I just used this method for the first time. I have a wedge (at least half of each side was in contact with the hone type of wedge) that I had been honing for hours starting weeks ago. It would polish up so nicely but the bevel was so wide that the edge was never getting sharp enough. So today I kept at it on the 4k until I thought it was as good as it was going to get there and then put a single piece of tape on the spine. From there, about 50 4k laps, 25 8k, 25 12k and this baby seems sharp! I have yet to shave test it, but the way it was mowing arm hair like never before I think it worked. The new bevel is about the size of what you would see on a new Dovo, and maybe a bit wider. So it is pretty narrow considering the first bevel. Looks good though. I'll probably shave with it tonight (whatever stubble I have left from testing other razors).

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I just used this method for the first time. I have a wedge (at least half of each side was in contact with the hone type of wedge) that I had been honing for hours starting weeks ago. It would polish up so nicely but the bevel was so wide that the edge was never getting sharp enough. So today I kept at it on the 4k until I thought it was as good as it was going to get there and then put a single piece of tape on the spine. From there, about 50 4k laps, 25 8k, 25 12k and this baby seems sharp! I have yet to shave test it, but the way it was mowing arm hair like never before I think it worked. The new bevel is about the size of what you would see on a new Dovo, and maybe a bit wider. So it is pretty narrow considering the first bevel. Looks good though. I'll probably shave with it tonight (whatever stubble I have left from testing other razors).

It is great news that your razor feels sharper but this is not the double bevel method described on Tim's site. In effect you just changed the angle of the primary bevel to be a little bit steeper and polished it up to shaving sharpness. In Tim's method the second microscopic bevel is only above 10K (The first bevel is established with the 4K and polished with the 8K and Chinese 12K before adding two more layers of tape). Check out his site to see what I mean.

Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

It is great news that your razor feels sharper but this is not the double bevel method described on Tim's site. In effect you just changed the angle of the primary bevel to be a little bit steeper and polished it up to shaving sharpness. In Tim's method the second microscopic bevel is only above 10K (The first bevel is established with the 4K and polished with the 8K and Chinese 12K before adding two more layers of tape). Check out his site to see what I mean.

I do realize that. It is different than Tim's method, but using his, I don't think that this edge would have gotten nearly sharp enough any time soon. I also understand that wedges can take hours to hone, I was just being impatient (after a few hours though) and wanted this blade sharp. It is technically "two bevels" though.

Thinking about it actually, using Tim's described method, isn't it just the same besides the size of the bevel (his method being much smaller since you only use 10k+ for a few strokes) and the polishing of the first bevel? Say I did polish my bevel up to 12k and it still didn't shave, then taped the spine and started at maybe 8k for the second bevel, wouldn't the end result be similar? Technically for either method the second bevel will be the only one actually cutting the hairs right?

On a side note, I test-shaved the razor and it was great! Very comfortable and sharp!