Thread: What do you guys mean when you say "Setting an Edge"?

Hey boys, I've been reading about honing and deciding what to buy as far as stones go, but I read about you guys setting edges and I haven't seen anything explaining what "setting an edge" is or how to do it. Can you all help a noob out again? You all are the best! Beers for all!

You probably mean setting a bevel, "setting an edge" is unknown to me.

It's the first, and most important part of getting a razor from dull to shave ready.
Usually done using a 1000 grit hone, and you shape the bevel to a sharp point, and making sure it's nice and even all along the edge.
Any sloppiness or mistakes at this level will come back and bite you as you progress into the finer grits.

So basically: You set the bevel at 1k, and the following stones refines the point and polishes to a smooth shaving edge.

Yeah I guess you're right, I did mean setting the bevel. Do you still hone the same, meaning spine on the stone?

Originally Posted by RNMike

Do you still hone the same, meaning spine on the stone?

Yeah, the razor should be flat on the stone, spine touching at all times.

Honing a razor:

1. Make the two sides meet at a fine enough point (set bevel);
2. Polish sides with progressively finer stones/pastes to desired level of smoothness.
3. Stop.

Devil's in the detail of course, but the overall idea is not complicated at all.

James.