Thread: is it necessary to set the bevel every time?

Say you have been using a SR for a few months with periodic touch ups from time to time but you reach a point when the blade just needs to go back to honing. Touch ups with a 12 K or pasted strop simply won't cut it. In that case, do you need to go back to the 1K and set the bevel again?

No I don't. As long as it can be touched up on a higher grit stone I stick with that. If, OTOH, it isn't responding to the touch up I will drop down to the next lower grit and begin from there. Also examining the bevel with an eye loupe (30x) or microscope (40x) to make sure it is still even with no micro chips. In some cases I will go back to 1k and begin again from there, but that is only if I feel it is absolutely necessary. Just IMHO, YMMV.

I do same as Jimmy! Double O

It depends on why your 12k is not getting a sharp edge. Inspect the edge well under magnification.

You can and I have chased an edge going backwards in a progression. But if the 12k is not working it is usually easier and quicker to go straight to the 1k and put an edge on it and work up.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

No I don't. As long as it can be touched up on a higher grit stone I stick with that. If, OTOH, it isn't responding to the touch up I will drop down to the next lower grit and begin from there. Also examining the bevel with an eye loupe (30x) or microscope (40x) to make sure it is still even with no micro chips. In some cases I will go back to 1k and begin again from there, but that is only if I feel it is absolutely necessary. Just IMHO, YMMV.

Same here, I don't see any reason to go all the way back to 1K if it's not absolutely necessary.

I suppose that every bevel is individual depending on who honed it and on what. It will stay this way until new bevel seting. So when you get a new or used razor, you set bevel once and after that you only maintain the edge.

I will say with absolute authority, you must reset the bevel every time.............................................. ..........YOU NEED TO.

Yeh, I vote reset the bevel as well. I mean what the hell, the razor wont need re done for a few months might as well do it right than half ass it and be back in the same boat in 2 weeks for about 10 more minutes (or less) of honing.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

No I don't. As long as it can be touched up on a higher grit stone I stick with that. If, OTOH, it isn't responding to the touch up I will drop down to the next lower grit and begin from there. Also examining the bevel with an eye loupe (30x) or microscope (40x) to make sure it is still even with no micro chips. In some cases I will go back to 1k and begin again from there, but that is only if I feel it is absolutely necessary. Just IMHO, YMMV.

+1

Always work backward to preserve the life of your blade. When the metal is gone the party is over.

Dave