Thread: Setting the Bevel

+1 on the burr issue. I would never recommend raising a burr for a razor, knife honing is very different when it comes to these things.

Yea i agree Razor a little different the knifes.
We don't have a lot metal to waste.
i will stop in here.

I respectfully disagree. A razor is nothing more than a specialized knife. Unless a particular razor is an heirloom or rare collector item, there is no need to be careful with bevel setting. Unless one is going crazy with grinding on it, setting the bevel removes a trivial amount of metal.

I would suggest that regardless of sharpening method, and no matter how carefully done, when setting the bevel some bur formation is taking place, albeit a tiny amount. I applaud those experts who can hone in such a way that almost no bur is formed with regularity- they truly deserve the title, "honemeister."

Me, I'm not a "razor guy", nor am I a "knife guy", nor an "axe guy", nor a "machete guy", nor a "lawnmower blade" guy. I'm just a guy. I use and sharpen all of these things. And the only real difference I have found between them is the amount of metal removed. I don't suggest taking a razor to a bench grinder of course, but conversely there is no need to pussy-foot around with the once-every-decade task of restoring the bevel on any particular razor.

Originally Posted by SmallyetDeadly

I am going to try the unicot method from Coticule.be to finish the razor to shaving readiness from here..

.

Don't tie yourself to one specific dogma. I'm a little familiar with Bart's method. I don't agree with dragging the razor across a glass first, it's counterproductive imho. I like coticules and have many, You'll need to learn your stone, and how it performs with slurry and without. Once you know that, it's 90% of the battle. Check the edge as you go, there's no specific number of strokes. It's going to vary from stone to stone and blade to blade. It's a good starting point, but that's it. My two cents.

If you know the vein of the stone, I may know a bit more about it specifically.

I agree with zib, but even knowing the vein of your stone doesn't always help as there will be atypical stones in each vein as well as those that look like one vein and are in actuality from another.
Take the time, learn your stone. Each is unique and makes it difficult to diagnose issues from a distance thus why most people prefer to start on synthetics. I like my coticules and have tried quite a few others, but in my limited knowledge I can tell you that I would like any stone I have spent the time learning.
I'm glad that setting your bevel on the coticule is working for you and that you seem to be enjoying the time learning about it.
I find every method as a place to start then you can find a rhythm that fits with you and your stone.

lynn and everyone else know what they're talking about. I am in the same position as yourself, working out what a bevel is.

I took two dull razors and honed them until I got a bevel, its handy as one took 1 hour and the other took 4 hours gave me a better idea of different razors and sizes of razor and not all razors give the same sizes of edge as well .

the arm hair test is handy but its trial and error I thought I was finished a razor because it popped hair, then I looked at the edge and decided to go back and honed on the 1k for a little longer and now hairs fall off without pressure off the 1k, but every blade's different as already mentioned and I'm no expert but the two razor thing definitely helped me, if you get stuck on one you can switch to the other.

you'll definitely get there, just give it time

regards alex

Thanks for your further post Jeff. You certainly don't have to defend your methodolgy to me. If it works well for you that is all the vindication anybody needs.

I am enjoying playing wih my stone and I certainly don't expect to find any easy substitute for experience and practice. I believe it is a La Grise coticule from Ardennes.

I am happy to try the methods on Coticule.be. They are clearly aimed at the beginner like me with the unicot and the dilucot for more "seasoned" honers looking at a one stone solution. I see this honing caper a bit like learning to play golf. Sure you can take a club and whack away at balls but the learning curve will go much easier with some initial guidance and much frustration will be saved. As understanding and experience grows you begin to develop your own "swing". I think that makes sense?

I had a crack at the unicot method last night and shaved this morning for a perfectly SAS. I didn't reach the heights of keeness but the razor performed adequately to deliver an irritation and nick free shave. I have identified some areas I need to work on in my stroke and have a better idea of things than just a few days ago. Practice Practice Practice here we come. I am quite proud of being able to get a razor into shaving condition even if it is obviously not as sharp as it could be. Usually I am the guy who tries to sharpen a kitchen knife and his super edge is defeated by the first tomato it runs into

Now I wonder if I should order a DMT 325/600 and have a go at some of my sadder ebay purchases

Thanks for all the help gang