Thread: Questions about bevel and shave test

The first question I have is about a razor I honed myself. It shaves very smoothly but I can not seem to get nearly as close a shave it then with my professionally sharpened razors. Would this be caused by an improperly set bevel, maybe the angle is off or it is uneven? The second question I have is about the shave test. I have watched several videos on this and was a little curious about one aspect. In the videos I have seen it is done on the cheek, but even my AoS dovo out of the box could do this. Where a razor is really tested for me is the upper lip. A razor that will shave my cheeks smoothly will not necessarily shave my upper lip. So I am wondering if there is a modification to the test that will account for this?

Originally Posted by aboarder4life

The first question I have is about a razor I honed myself. It shaves very smoothly but I can not seem to get nearly as close a shave it then with my professionally sharpened razors. Would this be caused by an improperly set bevel, maybe the angle is off or it is uneven? The second question I have is about the shave test. I have watched several videos on this and was a little curious about one aspect. In the videos I have seen it is done on the cheek, but even my AoS dovo out of the box could do this. Where a razor is really tested for me is the upper lip. A razor that will shave my cheeks smoothly will not necessarily shave my upper lip. So I am wondering if there is a modification to the test that will account for this?

Can be bevel, can be finishing stage. You need some definitive honing tests to guide you, then it's just a matter of refining. At the sharper stages a razor can shave early on but it will be uncomfortable ATG even on the cheek.
It is just as hard at end game to determine what needs doing as it can be so minimal that we often hone past the ideal stopping point. Conversely you have to be confident to keep honing at whatever stage needs it, especially with some naturals.

Eliminate the bevel as a problem. Visual testing with loupe works for me as well as some kind of cutting test for confirmation..

An easy way to achieve mid to finish range sharpness is to use pyramid honing.

Altho a factory Dovo may shave your cheeks does it do it as comfortably or easily or as closely as a pro honing ? Just cutting hair is not the goal.

No probs in letting your upper lip guide you for now .

For me a razor isn't sharp unless I can shave from the Adams apple to the chin ATG.

Understanding the shave test...

The reason we recommend the Cheek (Sideburn to Jawline) stroke as a shave test FOR NEW GUYS is that it is the easiest one and the one that is best able to test the edge for a NEW GUY rather then their shaving ability.. A NEW GUY can mess up the harder regions with a perfect edge because they don't have good technique and it has no bearing on the edge quality...

After you can shave a razor and have some experience then you will develop different tests of shave ready to suit yourself...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Understanding the shave test...

The reason we recommend the Cheek (Sideburn to Jawline) stroke as a shave test FOR NEW GUYS is that it is the easiest one and the one that is best able to test the edge for a NEW GUY rather then their shaving ability.. A NEW GUY can mess up the harder regions with a perfect edge because they don't have good technique and it has no bearing on the edge quality...

After you can shave a razor and have some experience then you will develop different tests of shave ready to suit yourself...

Excellent point Glen. I was answering with the idea the OP was looking for a way to test his honing skills.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Excellent point Glen. I was answering with the idea the OP was looking for a way to test his honing skills.

Yeah I think he his beyond the "Shave Test" as described too, I was just explaining why all the vids are done that way..


For me it is the ATG from the Adam's apple back if I can do that stroke and get no razor burn then I feel good about the smoothness

I think I misunderstood the point of the shaving test. I was looking at it a standardization for users to determine shave readiness when in fact it a tool for beginners to gauge their progress. Thanks for the clarification. As for the closeness issue, I have been using the pyramid method on my 4/8 Norton. Should I try another round? I also recently purchased a guangxi stone for finnishing, would running the blade over that maybe solve some of the issue?

Originally Posted by aboarder4life

I think I misunderstood the point of the shaving test. I was looking at it a standardization for users to determine shave readiness when in fact it a tool for beginners to gauge their progress. Thanks for the clarification. ?

Yeah I guess I missed on the explanation if that is they way you understood it

BTW we have a Denver Mile High Meet up every year in July hope to meet you there

"The Shave Test" is designed a specific way so that it is the easiest to test that the edge will shave for a Beginner, those vids are set up a certain way so that a first timer can see that their new razor will shave hair, a badly honed edge will fail in the hands of a beginner...

A not so shave ready razor in the hands of a more experienced shaver will do much better but they don't really need that simplistic shave test any longer...

So basically you are doing the right thing, you have already learned that your "Personal pass fail test" is in a different spot, as have Chef and I but there has to be an easy system for newbs to have down pat as a test that doesn't involve much in the way of shaving technique.. That cheek stoke is a good pass fail test for a newb, if the razor passes then they can proceed with the learning curve but if it fails there is really no sense in try harder spots on the face...

I explain this much better in my Test Shave vid then I am here have you seen it ????

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

I have certainly watched your video Glen. With the numerous other videos and grad-school shenanigans that lesson must have been lost. I was hoping there would be a meet up soon near me. As long as my schedule doesn't interfere I will most definitely be attending.