Thread: Double bevel by only adding one layer of tape (instead of two)

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Really what you are doing though in reality is creating a great edge because you are taking your time and talent and focusing on creating a great edge....

Does that make more sense of what I was saying ????

To make it real clear, it is "YOU", not all the tricks that is making a great edge....

Well it's pretty clear except for the "talent" part you are referring to. Pretty sure in my case there is none of that involved.

I do like the philosophy though that the path to honing righteousness is within, and that the tricks are just tricks. In fact, that might even justify using the matrix smiley (I've been trying to come up with something that justifies using the matrix smiley so work with me here!).

Personally I don't do a double bevel. I do have one of Tim Zowada's razors and it shaves very nicely. I haven't had to touch it up yet. When I do I suppose I will follow his instructions and leave the bevel as is. I don't know anymore about it than the OP but it seems to me that the Zowada method might leave a stronger edge. In spite of that I will stick with my one layer of tape and no double bevel on all of my other razors.

Originally Posted by loueedacat

In fact, that might even justify using the matrix smiley (I've been trying to come up with something that justifies using the matrix smiley so work with me here!).

haha damn you beat me to it, I've been trying to think of a way to fit the matrix smiley into a post! Oh, well, what other cool one could I use...

I suppose I do agree with JimmyHAD & gssixgun, and will say that in most situations, with most razors, using a double bevel is..
wait for it...
overkill.

Originally Posted by huntmol

haha damn you beat me to it, I've been trying to think of a way to fit the matrix smiley into a post! Oh, well, what other cool one could I use...

I suppose I do agree with JimmyHAD & gssixgun, and will say that in most situations, with most razors, using a double bevel is..
wait for it...
overkill.

Love it! That smiley is awesome, and you're use of it it's great is spot on

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Personally I don't do a double bevel. I do have one of Tim Zowada's razors and it shaves very nicely. I haven't had to touch it up yet. When I do I suppose I will follow his instructions and leave the bevel as is. I don't know anymore about it than the OP but it seems to me that the Zowada method might leave a stronger edge. In spite of that I will stick with my one layer of tape and no double bevel on all of my other razors.

just out of curiosity, what do the zowada instructions say about how to "touch up." do you just go straight to three layers of tape, or do you start over with one and then do the three layers late in the process. Ie do you have to refresh both parts of the double bevel or just the second part.

Originally Posted by huntmol

haha damn you beat me to it, I've been trying to think of a way to fit the matrix smiley into a post! Oh, well, what other cool one could I use...

what we really need is a smiley with luke skywalker wearing that blinder helmet on while he tries to intercept the ray gun shots from the sphere thing with his life saber while Obi Wan tells him to "feel the force".

Now honing with blinder helmet on .... that is a nice visual for me honing.

Originally Posted by loueedacat

just out of curiosity, what do the zowada instructions say about how to "touch up." do you just go straight to three layers of tape, or do you start over with one and then do the three layers late in the process. Ie do you have to refresh both parts of the double bevel or just the second part.

As I said previously I've yet to touch mine up but when I do I will follow the instructions in this article by Tim Zowada here. Below is his section on the double bevel.

" 3a. Optional - Here I like to add two additional layers of tape, for a total of three. This increases the angle by about two degrees, making it easier to get a smooth edge with the final honing. Use 20 additional strokes with the Chinese 12,000. This is not considered the traditional way of doing things, but I like it. Otherwise skip to step 4 and stay with one layer of tape."

If you have a double bevel and want to keep it you always have to hone with at least 2 or more layers of tape depending on the specific double bevel you have. I have 2 Zowada's and as I recall (I may be wrong) you need 3 layers but the bevel Tim uses is a really minor double bevel and even he has said if you hone without tape with a 8K you will remove the double bevel very easily.

Personally I hate double bevels and have never found a double bevel to give a better shave. It just complicates things as far as I'm concerned. I've gone to a single bevel on both my Zowada's and I find no difference in shave quality.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

...
Personally I hate double bevels and have never found a double bevel to give a better shave. It just complicates things as far as I'm concerned.
...

+1, with equal results on knives; IME.

Hello Hunter!
On a new larger razor the steeper secondary(by adding the extra tape) bevel may not be a compromise in sharpness. It will allow you to indulge your time on a smaller bevel and end up being sharper with less time. Steeper bevels last longer too. I do this with larger wedges so I can really concentrate my efforts where it really counts. On smaller wedges I do exactly what you are asking except for spending time with 8000 stone on the primary. I was thinking of using the 8000 DMT on the primary bevel since it cuts faster than the norton 8000 but have not tried that yet and I doubt it would make a difference. Sometimes I start my secondary bevel with the 4000 very lightly and carefully.
On very hollow grinds I think the secondary bevel makes no sense sinse there is such a small bevel to begin with.
Mike

Any thoughts, guys?[/QUOTE