Thread: Bevel width

Hi all,

I have my 1k soaking and and while I am waiting i had a thought, more of a question actually.

I have read in various threads that some of you like an extra layer of tape on the spine to get a narrower bevel while others prefer a wider bevel.

Wouldn't a wide bevel be sharper than a narrow one? Maybe I am missing something fundamental.

On the other hand, I can see how a wider bevel might be more delicate that a narrower one.

I believe that it has more to do with the bevel angle. I add/remove tape to achieve a certain angle. The bevel width is simply the result of the angle in combination with the blade thickness.

Reality:

All new built SRs that are built to the 16° - 17° included angle that razors have targeted for about 300 years have tiny neat even bevels..

As we listen to the Mythical idea that the spine and edge wear away at even amounts keeping that angle as the razor is used.. Unfortunately we have learned that this simply is not how real life works, and as we find razors in the wild we find that heavy hands have destroyed the spine and we see out of geometry Wide Bevels

It really is that simple, if you have a wide bevel your razor is out of geometry, that is reality

When we did tests years ago we found razors that were shaving just fine with angles from 12° - 23° so much of this is a moot point
The design of a SR is so good that it allows for many mistakes while honing and it will still deliver a good shave



ps: Yes even those heavy Near Wedges from 200 years ago when found NOS will have a Tiny neat even bevel and hone just as easily a Full Hollow Grind

I have just set the bevel on two razors I think, a straight round point and a smile.

I'm going to shave with them both off the 1k this afternoon.

If I survive I will let you know how I got on

Originally Posted by STF

I have just set the bevel on two razors I think, a straight round point and a smile.

I'm going to shave with them both off the 1k this afternoon.

If I survive I will let you know how I got on

Ouch! My face couldn't take that kind of punishment. You are a tougher man than me.

If yourbevel is correctly set, and your finishing passes on the 1K are light and smooth, the shave will not be a bad one. It amazes me still as to how close and mostly comfortable a 1K shave can be.

OK, so I shaved with both the round point on one side of my face and the smiler on the other side.

Both were just bevel set only (1K Norton).

I coloured the edges with a sharpie, a red one.

I didn't do a very neat job of colouring the bevel and got some further up the blade on the round point.

I started off with the round point on one side and as I washed it under the tap to clean the lather off I saw a huge red swathe on the blade.

OMG I thought, that much blood and i must be in trouble. After and extensive search for something that would need stitches it dawned on my that it was red sharpie

Enough humiliation I think. My shave was not super comfortable but not agony either, not so bad that I would stop shaving if that was all I could have from now on.

I'm definitely not BBS but I didn't shave for 2 days in preparation for this and I have to say I definitely look shaved.

The round point was the better set of the two so the question is, do I need to do the smiler again or move to 4k with both. Or, I could kill both edges and reset the bevels again, just for the practice.

The bevels are narrow and tidy, I did use one layer of tape except for the heel on the round point where I added another piece because it wasn't touching the stone. I don't know if thats quite right but it was suggested to me and it seemed to do the trick.

Just for informations sake, the round point is no name from England and the smiler is L Lowe & Co, Milwaukee.

I actually forgot to finish with light strokes and also forgot to strop before my shave.

A wider bevel will have a finer more delicate edge. Tape is used on the spine to primarily reduce hone wear. On hollow grinds I use 1 layer of tape. On a near wedge or wedge I use 2 layers. If I am having trouble getting a good edge on any grind I may at the end add a layer of tape to produce a micro bevel.