Thread: wider bevel=more flex?

Two parameters define the width of the bevel.

1. the bevel angle.
If the angle is smaller (due to a reduced spine) the bevel sides will become wider. The smaller the angle, the more flexible the edge, and it will also be a bit weaker.

2. the thickness of the blade.
A full hollow has a very thin blade, hence a small bevel is to be expected. A wedge has a thick blade, hence it will carry wider bevel sides. In this case the wider bevel will be a bit sturdier, because it contains more steel for the same height. (it has a wider base).

If you see wide bevel sides on a full hollow razor, that always means that the spine underwent a lot of honing wear. The steel of a spine can possibly be softer than the edge. As a result the bevel angle of some razors slowly diminishes over the years of honing. At a given point I believe that will start to have an influence on the durability of the edge. It depends on various other factors, such as beard type, when that starts posing a problem.

If the blade is thin enough to flex, so will the entire edge, for it is even thinner.
If the blade is thick enough not to flex, only a the last bit of the edge is free to flex, from the point where it becomes thin enough to do so.

In my opinion, flex helps the edge to follow the landscape of the skin surface better. At the same time those edges might have problems shaving a coarse, or poorly prepped beard. They have a harder time resisting serious cutting stresses.

Bart.