Originally Posted by ForestryProf
I think what Joe was referring to was 'resetting the bevel', not taking the razor to a hone for a touch-up. The only time I've ever created/reset a bevel is either the first time out restoring a vintage blade or when the edge has somehow been damaged. Particularly with a razor that has not been used in some time, the edge oxidizes, is pitted and the fine edge becomes brittle. New steel has to be exposed for the blade to take and hold an edge. This is 'creating' a bevel.
Once a razor has been honed to shaving sharp. Regular use (assuming no damage to the blade by dropping it, hitting the faucet, etc...) will eventually dull the blade, but will do little to the geometry of the bevel. At this point you will need to revisit a hone, but only a very fine hone, and only for a touch-up. A swaty, coticule, escher will all work quite well and only a few strokes will be sufficient.
Just a matter of semantics,
Ed