Thread: Do I need to "set the bevel?"

I look at the edge using a jewler's loupe. What looks fine to the naked eye may look much worse under even low power magnification.

I distrust ebay and antique shop blades. Often they have been abused. If not abused it may be good practice to re-set the bevel anyway as razors that have not been used for along time may have dowdy steel that should be removed in order to come to full potential anyway.

I dont think you need the thumb nail out of necessity- you do have eight other fingers; one of which may provide you with a heightened sensitivity.

I do believe I can feel more than I can see naked-eyed.

What else would you do?-other than sharpen it before using it! Of course you should; and a lot.

I might even say lightly dull it and rehone with 5k until it shaves hair but the BK police would show their haughty expressions of unenlightened disdain

Yea, when I get a new addition to the stable after a quick cleaning I look at it under some magnification. If the edge looks bad ie chips or rust or irregularities etc you know right away you are going to have to do some bevel work. If it looks good then I try armhair shaving just to gauge things before I actually begin honing. Sometimes even though it looks good under mag when you try and use it the edge just doesn't feel right and then your back to the bevel again.

The naked eye tells you little compared to a well dressed eye
Have a look under some kind of magnification unless you are the kinaesthetic type & have an educated TPT

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I am going to get some magnification and see where the edge is at before proceeding. The blade hardly grabbed when I did the TNT, so I'm thinking it needs some work. I really purchased this razor for this exact purchase. I wanted to take an inexpensive razor that I do not care about from antique store poor to shave ready. Again, this is my first experience with anything below touch up/finishing hones so I guess the only way to learn is to do.

I would say , if the razor's edge doesn't feel like the sharpest thing you've ever touched , then I think starting on the 1k would be the way to go .

Originally Posted by dave5225

I would say , if the razor's edge doesn't feel like the sharpest thing you've ever touched , then I think starting on the 1k would be the way to go .

I disagree. I would try to cut arm hairs or do a TPT and assess the edge. Unless it's extremely dull you should be able to get away with circles on a 5K. The amount of time it takes is a different matter and depends on the condition of the edge (and the whole razor, too), the grind, the steel, etc.

We're taking for granted any hone wear or other such problems. Of course chips will need to be taken care of, but bad hone wear might throw a wrench in making this an easy process.

Barring chips, excessive hone wear, etc. I think a 5K can bring back an edge. Then again, a Nani 1K is somewhere around $30 - $35 so if you had to buy one it'd be a great investment.

The responses you received are good, but lacking one thing. You need a 1K & now you have a perfect excuse. Stay with the Nani's...