Thread: Double bevel by only adding one layer of tape (instead of two)

I'm at the point in my honing where I'm pretty good (nowhere near honemeister level), but I'm starting to experiment with different edges off different hones - you know, the fun part . I've given a lot of thought to the Zowada Double Bevel and I've got a question.

Disregarding whether or not it works well (I don't often hear TZ owners complaining), whether or not it is the best way to finish an edge, or whether or not you personally choose to use it...

Why is the secondary bevel created by adding two layers of tape after the initial bevel is set and sharpened? I would think that the best compromise between sharpness and edge longevity would come by sharpening the razor up to 8000 grit using one layer of tape, and then only adding one more layer of tape for the final light strokes on the finishing hone.

Any thoughts, guys?

The secondary bevel focuses the primary bevel. Straight razors are one primary bevel, 17 degrees. Most other knives have both. Reason that most other knives have both is so you can vary the angle of the primary bevel to adjust the aggressiveness of the cut. Tomatoes cut differently than steak and steak cuts differently than chicken.

By putting a secondary bevel on a razor it will allow you focus and adjust that angle so that the edge is "sharper" than it would be with just a primary bevel only.

JM2C

Originally Posted by huntmol

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Why is the secondary bevel created by adding two layers of tape after the initial bevel is set and sharpened? I would think that the best compromise between sharpness and edge longevity would come by sharpening the razor up to 8000 grit using one layer of tape, and then only adding one more layer of tape for the final light strokes on the finishing hone.

Any thoughts, guys?

How about this.
you set bevel and sharpen blade with 2 layers of the electric tape .when you want to (last stage) instead of adding 1 layer tape just take 1 layer of . Now what will be differences between this 2 actions?

i don't usually hone with tape (other than with my W&B wedges), but for kicks over the weekend, after honing my ERN ATOR with no tape, after which it shave good, I did an extra fifty laps with my escher with one layer of tape, and it made a huge difference.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

How about this.
you set bevel and sharpen blade with 2 layers of the electric tape .when you want to (last stage) instead of adding 1 layer tape just take 1 layer of . Now what will be differences between this 2 actions?

Taking one layer off would raise the true edge off the hone subjecting it to swarf impacts with the additional honing

Wow !!!! Really????????

Am I enlightened on this one...

Let me tell ya guys I have this property, it a little wet but hey, do you guys wanna buy it?????

This might sound all to simple but if you take a leather strop and put some .50 diamond paste on it you get about the same effect...

You're creating a stepped bevel by using stones instead of paste, same difference only the stones do it more exact...

The 17 degree bevel is also variable BTW....

Keep in mind if you truly believe that it gives you a better shave more power to ya...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Wow !!!! Really????????

Am I enlightened on this one...

Let me tell ya guys I have this property, it a little wet but hey, do you guys wanna buy it?????

This might sound all to simple but if you take a leather strop and put some .50 diamond paste on it you get about the same effect...

You're creating a stepped bevel by using stones instead of paste, same difference only the stones do it more exact...

The 17 degree bevel is also variable BTW....

Keep in mind if you truly believe that it gives you a better shave more power to ya...

I don't understand what you are saying, and maybe I'm misreading your post. It sounds like you are saying that adding a layer of tape at the end before the final polishing achieves in a more exact way what stropping with diamond paste achieves. That sounds like a good thing.

Why would achieving a good result in a more exact way be something that would make us candidates to buy the brooklyn bridge?

IIRC, Bart was advocating using a double bevel with one layer of tape with his "one coticule honing" idea. He claimed that over all the tests he'd done sharpening razors on his coticules, his sharpest and best edges were achieved when he used one layer of tape to create a secondary bevel.

Thanks for all the responses so far, guys!
I wasn't really asking about individuals' taping preferences, or if double bevel honing is prefereable or effective, I was more asking about the explanation of the two layers of tape added to create the second bevel.

One thing I've heard from people who are skeptical of the double bevel is that they say it takes a good angle created by the spine plus one layer of tape, and makes it more obtuse by adding two layers of tape.

However, couldn't you get the best of both worlds by only adding one layer of tape on top of the layer of tape used to establish and sharpen the bevel? (instead of two)

Here's a diagram to show what I mean:
Sorry for the poor quality!

The edge on the left was honed w/ one layer of tape. Notice how the two edges on the right w/ different layers of tape create two different double bevels that have different cutting angles at the tip, possibly changing the amount of sharpness or edge durability.

(I'm not telling, I'm asking)

In answer yes you could achieve a great edge with 1 layer + 1 layer or 1 layer + 2 layers

Really what you are doing though in reality is creating a great edge because you are taking your time and talent and focusing on creating a great edge....

Does that make more sense of what I was saying ????

To make it real clear, it is "YOU", not all the tricks that is making a great edge....