Bevel angle of blades?

[ambelare]

What angles are used for the bevel of disposable blades for safety razors? Do blades differ? Does a database of angles exist?

I'm having trouble finding info on this due to results being about the angle of shaving or about straight razors.

 

[les24preludes]

One interesting way of getting the angle right is to hear it. With an Ever-Ready 1912 and PTFE blade, which is the loudest combination I've come across in all shaving, you can hear quite clearly what the razor is doing.

 

[ambelare]

I'm talking about the angle to which the blades are sharpened. Like a kitchen knife might be sharpened to a 40° angle (creating a double bevel).

 

[les24preludes]

Ah, OK. May be different for DE blades and Artist Club or GEM blades since the thickness of the blade is different. Or could be the same. No idea, but good question.

 

[ambelare]

The most obvious explanation for blades differing in sharpness and edge retention would be different bevel angles.

Sure, the metal also plays a role for edge retention, but a 5 degree bevel won't stay sharp for long either way. Given the same bevel angle, edge retention mostly comes down to a trade-off between less dulling (harder metal) and less breaking (softer metal).

 

[Bogeyman]

Between 13.8° & 17° usually.

 

[Macfrommichigan]

I'm talking about the angle to which the blades are sharpened. Like a kitchen knife might be sharpened to a 40° angle (creating a double bevel).

20 degrees per side is typical for American kitchen knives, yes.

 

[ambelare]

Between 13.8° & 17° usually.

Thanks, that's interesting! How do you know and can this be looked up anywhere?

 

[Bogeyman]

Thanks, that's interesting! How do you know and can this be looked up anywhere?

Blog

 

[ambelare]

Blog

Thanks, much appreciated!

• Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus: 15,6° – 17°
• Feather New Hi Stainless: 13.8° – 15°
• Astra Superior Platinum: 16,3° – 16,8°
• Gillette Silver Blue Angle: 14,9° – 15.5°

 

[Scaramouche]

Interestingly, the niku - blade angle - of a traditional Japanese nihonto (katana) can be 15 degrees or less. They are not sharpened in the customary sense, but polished - with stones as small as a grain of rice - until the edge essentially no longer exists. I imagine shaving with one would be rather a chore, but it would certainly work if you had enough styptic pencils and an ER close by...