Thread: Double Bevel Smoothness?

i was watching honing videos here on SRP made by Jockeys (thanks Jockeys). on one of his vids he was talking about double bevels, and saying they may give smoother edges. hmmm.... so, i did a little experiment. i honed my razor as usual, finishing it on a 12 k naniwa with about 15-20 X strokes. then, experimentally and additionally, i added two layers of electrical tape, and did 10 very light X strokes on the 12 k nani. then stropped as normal. it was the smoothest shave i have had yet. can any of the pros here on SRP comment on this effect? any tips or tricks to make this double bevel smoothness even better or more consistent?

thank you.

Am no pro in the least,but the so called D.B. works well.

Because of the tape, your additional bevel meets the edge at a somewhat less acute angle than the original bevel. That could produce a smoother shave just because the edge is not as sharp. However, if you used two additional layers of tape throughout the process, you'd get the same bevel/edge angle without a secondary bevel.

I think that has been debunked in some previous posts.

I know from my experience My Zowadas came with double bevels and I've converted them to single and I notice no difference shave wise.

Commercial razor blades have multiple bevels, it is easier for the machines to cut 2-3 bevels then to hone like we do on straight razors...

If you noted a difference in the edge, then I would continue to do the same, right up until you realize that the improvement is coming from the extra care and attention of your honing, and not from the geometry of the Double Bevel

OK, thanks for the replies everyone. and Glen, i'll definitely keep your advice in mind going forward as i gain more experience.

This is essentially the unicot method of honing with coticules

I play around with double bevels on occasion, usually when I am having trouble getting the sharpness I am looking for at the finishing stage. As I get more experience honing it has become less frequent. I just look at it as another tool to use when I can't get it to work the "normal" way. It does work.