Thread: can someone explain bevel test

explain first the sharpie test .i cover blade edge with sharpie and then do how many laps before looking again because after a few all the sharpie is gone but i dont believe the bevel is set persay..

And also the reflection off edge of blade. both of my blades have a thin white line at edge. pro honed one and self honed one....


I did look, but i dont like the search engine here.... how can a newb be certain the bevel is set without a microscope. i do have a loupe.

Does it shave arm hair ?

yes, but so does my vegtable pealer, and somehow i dont want to shave with that either

First the sharpie test is just to make sure that the entire edge is getting equal contact time and that the striations are reaching the end of the edge. However even using magnification you cannot tell if the two edges are meeting with this test. Thus the reason for the second test.

The second test is done under a bright light under magnification with the edge pointing towards you. As Euclid and utopian say often on this the striations from the side may look like they are getting to the edge but they may not be. A set bevel will look like a perfect "V" but an unset bevel will look like a "U" with the bottom flat or possibly rounded. Because of the sharp point of the "V" you will not see any reflection when looking at the edge straight on. But with the "U" or with microchips you will see a reflection of the bright light either in the form of a line or spots when you cant the blade around trying to find that reflection sweet spot. However you have to be careful that you are not mistaking the reflection from one side of the bevel as an unset bevel. What I did to alleviate that false read I took one blade that I was shaving with and compared it with a blade that I wasn't using at the time. The one that I wasn't using I passed over a shot glass to dull the edge. And when examining the two edges it was unmistakeable which one had the unset bevel.

Hope this helps

Many good youtube videos on bevel setting a straight razor.

Your an hour or so drive from Experienced Help. If you can find the time to sit down with earcutter you will learn more in a few hours with the hands on help than you will in months of reading and watching videos. I speak from experience.

Here's the link to my fellow Mentor. Send him a PM and see what you two can work out.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/earcutter.html

Ha get help , new at this and expecting a perfect edge , it will take some time , but sit down with someone,, Now if you want great edges , I have all the best stones and experience right at my finger tips , I also never have an edge that's not right! 1 1/2 years later , I still go to the post office and wow! Perfect edge every time!!! And I still haven't spent as much as a good finisher , tc

Thanks guys i looked through my loupe down at the edge and did notice quite a few shiney dots (cheap razor whos name shall not be mentioned on here) so i touched it up and looked again, still a few dots but not neer as many.

so bach to work I went 25 more laps and it looked good so balsa and crox here i come... looked again only one tiny shiny dot on the entire edge so im happy..... now I usually dont strop before i shave with it, but i have heard you guys do.... should i do 60 laps on leather then shave ?

Originally Posted by admvalentine

Thanks guys i looked through my loupe down at the edge and did notice quite a few shiney dots (cheap razor whos name shall not be mentioned on here) so i touched it up and looked again, still a few dots but not neer as many.

so bach to work I went 25 more laps and it looked good so balsa and crox here i come... looked again only one tiny shiny dot on the entire edge so im happy..... now I usually dont strop before i shave with it, but i have heard you guys do.... should i do 60 laps on leather then shave ?

Shaving right off of the hone is a nice 'test' but if you are looking for a smooth shave stropping is Critical. If you have a cloth side, please give it about 50 laps (a lap is once up and then once back/that's one lap) if not I'd do 100 laps on just leather.

I strop much more than that right after honing, for regular daily shaving I lap 25-30 on cloth and 50-60 on leather.

Originally Posted by admvalentine

Thanks guys i looked through my loupe down at the edge and did notice quite a few shiney dots (cheap razor whos name shall not be mentioned on here) so i touched it up and looked again, still a few dots but not neer as many.

Ahem! Another Gold Dollar thread! :