What does "Setting the bevel mean"?

**kcarlisle** · 10-12-2009, 04:04 AM

I have an earlier thread posted in regards to honing a 5/8 vs. 6/8 razor, but had another question because of some of the responses. What is meant by the term "Setting the bevel"? I'm not quite sure of what the term means. Any responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

**mainaman** · 10-12-2009, 04:10 AM

it means cutting a new bevel on a dull knife/razor cutting tool.
To do so one would use a stone in the 500 - 1k range.

**ChrisL** · 10-12-2009, 04:23 AM

Here's a definition I'd use:

"Setting the bevel". First, there are two bevels on western style razors with a concave grind, one on each side of the blade. Maybe in nit picky technical terms it would be more accurate to say "Setting the bevels" but no one, including me refers to it that way.

There are two bevels, but of course, there is only one edge. The edge, is the line where both planes (the bevels) meet.

"Setting the bevel" then, is honing a razor until both bevels are uniform and the edge line formed is free from defect, or free enough from defect to shave very well after progressively finer grits, up to the satisfaction of the shaver, are used.

There's no reason a person couldn't "set a bevel" using a high grit stone other than the fact that it would in most cases end up taking thousands of passes over the stone. Coarser is quicker.

Chris L

**kcarlisle** · 10-12-2009, 05:10 AM

I figured that's what was meant but wanted to make sure I understood. I wanted to make sure there was not a cut and dry meathod other than what I understood. Thanks!

**JimmyHAD** · 10-12-2009, 05:15 AM

In addition to Chris's excellent explanation check out this illustrated tutorial by Bart in the SRP Wiki honing section here.

**Pete_S** · 10-12-2009, 05:30 AM

As stated, its pretty much creating the edge on the razor. Say you had a razor shaped piece of metal, or a razor that was completely with out any edge whatsoever. You could look at it edge on and you would only see the thickness of the metal, no edge. If you were to sharpen this, youd lay it down on a really coarse hone and just start wearing away metal from both sides of the blade. Eventually, the two areas being worn away would meet, and you would have an edge. That would be setting the bevel on that piece of metal.

You really do need to make sure that the bevel is sharp since honing after setting the bevel is pretty much just refining the bevel.

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What does "Setting the bevel mean"?

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