Thread: Microbevels with the Shapton 30000

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

No worries, Mike. So I tried in tonight. It wasn't EXACTLY the same as your initial experiment, only because the razor was originally finished on the 30k (not just the 16k), but I doubt that matters. It was honed with one layer of tape, so I just added 2 layers (so 1 extra) and did 10 slow and relaxed laps on the 30k. I'm surprised by how quickly the 30k cuts, as there was metal residue on the 30k even after just 10 laps. I dried the razor off and looked at it under 30x magnification. I could see a definite double/micro bevel along the entire length of the edge on both side (which is good!). I didn't strop it as you said, just put a bit of camellia oil on it and put it away until I would shave a few hours later.

So I just shower and shaved, and I must say the 30k double bevel leaves the razor SUPER sharp! I was surprised that I got a good shave even though I didn't strop it before-hand at all. It cut through hair effortlessly, and I got a very close WTG pass using no pressure at all (or else it would shred my face ), which I think is a good indication I will strop it before next time (I already did about 10 laps on the strop after I shaved to dry it off) and see how the shave compares. I'll try to shave with just this razor for a while to see how the edge holds up.

The only issue I could see with this micro-bevel method is touching up. I wonder how easy it would be to remove the 30k double bevel by just touching up the original bevel using the 16k. For example, if you created the bevel with no tape and created the 30k bevel with 1 layer, how many laps would it take on a 16k with NO tape for the bevel to reach the actual edge? Or would that even matter, and you could simply just use the 30k and touch up the double-bevel? I don't have experience creating multiple bevels, so I'm just hypothesizing.

Touch up is simply to continue to develop microbevel the same way. Over time it will grow into a regular bevel but that will be some time later. When it gets to that point you start over, make a primary bevel as you would normally then move to the 30K for a micro. I have a feeling that would take a long time to happen as the micro should be stronger by some factor. On the other hand if these microbevels turn out to be weak and are prone to rapid deterioration than it should be considered a bad practice as it defeats the purpose and any advantages it may offer. Now that is all theory as it pertains to razors as we can agree they are a unique animal.
Thanks for your insight and suggestions Dave. Many heads are better than one when they work together. I have been using a Challenge razor for one week with no sign of deterioration. The bevel pretty much looks like the day I did it. I too strop lightly to dry off edge only. I can't put my razor up without it's ritual of drying, light strop then camellia oil. I don't think that is unique behavior on this end of town.
Oh as far as recreating a single bevel, you will have to take it down to lower grits. The 16000 won't do it.