Thread: "Sharpness" - is it a bevel issue?

Definitely sounds like a bevel that isn't set completely. Go back to your bevel setter. I use magnification to make sure the edge is straight and the bevel is consistently scratched for the hone I'm on. The best tricks I've learned is to look at the bevel in a strong light and run the reflection all the way from toe to heel, any inconsistencies will be readily apparent.

After you think you have the bevel set try shaving you arm dry at skin level, you should see and feel hair being cut. If that works now run the edge across your thumb nail, use light pressure, less than weight of the blade, if it consistently bites the whole way it's set. Now go back to the bevel setter and do a few finishing passes to repair any damage from testing then continue your progression.

If during the thumb nail test you feel and inconsistency in the way the edge bites it isn't set.

IMO setting the bevel set is an often under appreciated and misunderstood step in the process of honing. YOU CANNOT REFINE AN EDGE THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

Don't mean to pick on you, just see a bunch of posts similar to this one, " it's shiny but it don't shave good".

Bevel setting= edge creation
Everything after= edge refinement

also watch the water. Notice the difference between when it's set and isn't. The water will show things wrong with edge that you will miss under 10x, well at least for me. The edge shouldn't push the water, it should cut under it.

not at all.
I am here for a shaving education This forum got me to shave without irritation with a straight, and now I'm hoping we can manage honing too.
Thanks for the help that has been provided so far. That link on microscopy I missed when I was perusing the library for bevel setting.