Thread: Setting a bevel

I'm trying my luck with honing. I'm working on a wedge. So far I have a nice clear well polished bevel on one side and almost nothing on the other. How can that be and what can I do to fix it.

I don't know, but wish I could help.
I have only set "1" bevel from a flattened edge. I would flatten & level the edge, then set a new bevel.
I am eager to hear how the experience members reply to your question. I have a wedge sitting on the table, needing an edge now.
It needs scales also.

I'm guessing its an old Sheffield - which may mean you're inheriting a spine and bevel that arent centered. If that's not the case, are you using any tape? If so - the tape has to be pretty even on both sides or you're grinding your bevel away from the centerline.

Originally Posted by pinklather

If that's not the case, are you using any tape? If so - the tape has to be pretty even on both sides or you're grinding your bevel away from the centerline.

As stated above if you are using tape it must be applied well centered both sides.
Do you use pressure? If you do, maybe you use more pressure on one side than on other side of the razor.
After all, is razor capable of shaving arm hair? If yes, I will leave it as it is, if no try to spend more strokes on narrower side.

Do a magic marker test. I am pretty sure that your razor is warped, or has some problems, and only one side of the razor touches the hone fully. A picture would be good, so we could see the real problem.

Yes I'm using tape.I may need to be more careful with the tape. Thanks for the suggestions.

Sometimes razors have been ground asymmetrically enough to cause this. Not likely any amount of honing will change the bevel sizes if you have one of these.

How much and what kind of tape are you using? While taping does create a different angle, I've never seen it create a visible, with the naked eye, difference in bevel length. I'd suspect the blade. You could even it out with tape, but I think it would require more layers than just one. You could start applying layers on the narrow-beveled side and see from your new bevel length whether that is working.

I would be willing to bet some pictures would get more responses! I wonder if you have yourself a microtome? That would definitely explain it!

Originally Posted by jeness

Do a magic marker test. I am pretty sure that your razor is warped, or has some problems, and only one side of the razor touches the hone fully. A picture would be good, so we could see the real problem.

+1. The magic marker test reveals all sorts of information.