Thread: What is the bevel supposed to look like under a hand held microscope?

I'm a beginner, practicing on a gold dollar. I am using a hone purchased by a recommended vendor on this site, just a one sided model. Viewed a youtube on how to set the bevel. But what is it supposed to look like? I've order a 60x - 100x hond held microscope to observe, but what, please! Thanks for your patience and hopefully useful advice. bib

Jeb,
Can you tell me the brand of the scope and how well it works? I believe I was just looking at the same thing today, and for the same purpose.

I'm interested in the answer to this question too. I THINK I know, but not from my own experience.

Peace,

I don't have it yet. I'm guessing that when I get it, it may all fall into place for me. However, many times pictures tell the story well. And when I know what I'm looking for it really helps.

Don't know how to describe what to look for, except a straight edge free of nicks. It took me a couple of hundred views to figure this out. Just keep looking, and comparing to TPT, arm hair, shave test, etc. You'll figure it out.

Maybe the more experienced masters can weigh in on the pics found in this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-all-done.html

I'll try to post them here for convenience:

Pre-Honing

And then Honed up:


BUT, is this what it SHOULD look like?

Off of the bevel setting stone all you really need to be concerned about is that there is a single bevel that runs all the way to the edge, and that it is straight and chip free.

Note: You can have edges that look great visually, but don't quite have a complete bevel set. You still need to have a means of double checking. The big advantage you'll get from the microscope is seeing if you have multiple bevels, and seeing if you have any small chips.

I just got some new toys in this morning and I'm excited to test them and continue my picture series on pressure and high passes. I will be sure to take the time to get some pictures of progressing through the bevel set.
(there may already be some here from someone else if you do a search... ?)

Thanks Eric! Load us up with pictures will ya? I hope to get a scope in the near future (month or so) and it'd be great if I already knew what I was looking for.

Peace,

I use the microscope only for checking if I missed something (ie if the bevel is not ready) and not to see if the bevel is good.
If you see large chips or very agressive teeth your bevel is probably not yet set.
If you switch to pre bevel setting stage (like 4k) and there still are teeth and chips
you should go back to bevelsetting.

So the question is: What do you not want to see, rather than what do I want to see.
You do not want to see chips and bad teeth like in picture one by BigJim.
You want these to change into a smooth line like in picture number two

The first comment is, if you don't know what a bevel is or should look like you probably shouldn't be messing with a bevel. Really the name "bevel" pretty much describes the thing. The important thing is it should run the entire length of the blade and be uniform and smooth. You can also have a double bevel and that's fine if it's what you want and set out to develop. From finish honing you'll wind up with scratch patterns on the bevel surface. The actual size of the bevel is not important as long as it shaves properly. Some razors have huge bevels and some tiny ones. Often times the spine and overall dimensions will dictate the bevel size. We have pics scattered around the site and wiki of bevels and how to hone one. They are usually developed around the 4K level or 1K depending on the shape of what you are starting out with. The important thing is to make sure the bevel is proper otherwise you will never get a good shaving edge on the razor.

Originally Posted by BigJim

And then Honed up:


BUT, is this what it SHOULD look like?

What is the magnification & what grit hone is this ? The answer is variable relative to these 2 factors.
1k @ 8x this can be further refined at 2 or 4k but the bevel looks ok
30k @ 400x who knows till the shave test