Thread: Edge bevel

Is there anyone who can explain clearly where a bevel is on a razor and how to find it? What do you look for to find it?

Matt,

The bevel is the very edge of the razor and, depending on which razor, is very difficult to see. for example, on my Wapienica, I can't see the bevel because it is very small.

when you sharpen a razor, you take metal off of each side and it forms kind of a V.

the V is the bevel.

Of course, I'm bad at explaining things sometimes so I'm sure someone will come along and explain it better.

Not a bad explination there

Basicly the primary bevel is the angle that the edge is formed from. So the Razor (Shown here) (===> the ">" is the bevel while the edge is the point of the ">" This can be set to many different angles depending on your needs and the quality of the steel. I have a few kitchen knives with 5 and 10 degree bevels, others with as much as a 30 degree bevel. the higher the degree bevel equils "duller" edge. Not to say it's a dull knife it just isn't a fine cutter, you will not get papper thin onion slices with a 30 degree bevel. And you will ruin a 5 degree bevel just touching a bone with it.

Hope that helps

The bevel is often very easy to see, just look for any straight line reflection at the edge of the blade.

Some bevels are teeny tiny and some are wide.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Some bevels are teeny tiny and some are wide.

Is yours teeny tiny or wide?

(Oh lordy I just can't resist the temptation of a smutty pun.)

My bevels are very wide from extensive honing. Too bad that doesn't transfer over . . .

You will see where the bevel ends and the body of the razor begins because it will reflect light differently. Radio Shack sells a small lighted magnifier for about $15 and that is an excellent and inexpensive tool. They also sell loupes which are good for quick looks to see what's going on at the edge. Looking at the edge under magnification in good light will tell you a lot! Look at both side of the blade and from heel to toe. The bevel angle is easily set with a straight razor as the spine and the edge of the blade lay down on the stone to form the correct angle. This discussion, among bladesmiths, comes under the topic of "angle geometry" and as someone indicated above, the intended use of the blade dictates the bevel angle.