Thread: Honing a micro bevel without tape.

The theory is sound, however, it fails to take into account a very important fact.

The flex of the hollow grinds will be more severe in the thinnest sections (i.e the center) as opposed to the ends where there is more support from surrounding thicker steel.

Its on a micro level, but it will cause more wear, and eventually, I imagine, a bellying of the blade. Of course this may take years to accomplish,

I like to keep them the way the old timer who made it intended it.

Thanks guys. The difference in pressure is very minute. I know that you guys would know such things. To hear that Ellis dabbled in it makes me think I am not completly off the wall. I am always screwing with stuff to see how things work.


Thank again
Richard

The last time I talked to Bill about honing, he was using tape to create double bevels, but he didn't discuss anything similar to the OP.

Moving to finer and finer stones, the bevel end sits closer to the surface. The particles are smaller and the end gets refined.
I would think that this effect would happen to some degree without the blade deflection idea you put forth, maybe you exaggerated it with blade flexing. I would not call it a micro bevel, but one that is slightly convexed from uneven pressure.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

if you have quality blade you don't need to have double bevel etc.
it is all illusion that double bevel is sharper etc.
double bevel or taping of the spine in last stage of honing will help you only if your blades quality is low and adding 1 layer gives a little more support to the edge which doesn't brake down.
hope this helps.
gl

From my experience I have found something similar where the edge makes you think it's sharper because the angle changes for the shave and the shaving sounds different but really isn't that much off?

If you had a BBW I would go to that next and then finish on coticule water.

I'm not a fan of double bevels and the only place I use them are with my two Zowada's. They came with double bevels and the first time I needed to hone them I removed the Double bevel in favor of a single however I found the edge simply did not hold up with a single bevel. After about 10 shaves the blade would increasingly microchip just from use. I went back to the double and the edge holds up much better.

The fact that your trying and observing the differences is good.
The prior posts have really answered this well. The major objection I have is that a double bevel is not necessary for most razors and your method lacks consistent control over the pressure and the consequent angle on the bevel. Consistency of angle is the key for straight razors.

Just my $.02,