I'm sure manufacturers know exactly what the angle of the bevel is on their blades.Perhaps some blade manufacturers document the height of the bevel somewhere. If not, how could this be measured? Maybe a USB microscope and measure the distance in pixels once you get the image on a computer screen?
About the vibration/chatter, I was leaning toward the blade stiffness being a noteworthy factor. Not necessarily thickness, but how easily it bends. I have some ideas on how I can measure this with low precision, without requiring any special equipment, but I just haven't got around to it yet.
Allow me to nerd-out here.
In the knife world experiments have shown, (Dr. Larrin Thomas, knifesteelnerds.com,) that a knife with a more acute primary bevel, say 15° per side, (30° inclusive,) will cut easier. But the edge won't stay as sharp as long compared to an edge with a more obtuse primary bevel, say 20° per side. (40° inclusive) Maybe in the razor blade world this is why we can find a blade that is "smoother," without tugging, or more efficient-but it doesn't last for as many shaves. Or for some, a blade that will give a months worth of shaves. I'm sure razor blade makers are on to this, too. That's why everyone with different whiskers can find a favorite blade.
One trick you can do when sharpening knives is to sharpen a primary bevel on a blade to say, 30° inclusive, then put a 40° micro-bevel right on the edge. It kinda approaches the best of both worlds, smooth cutting with a lasting edge. Another trick is to use a smooth acute primary bevel (pick your angle) then dust off the edge with a more "toothy" obtuse micro-bevel. Maybe razor blade makers do this on different models giving the different blades different names, or use different colored packaging. All to please different people.
There is an instrument that's used that can tell what the bevel/bevels are on blades. I forget the name of it, but the blade is clamped in the middle of a semi-circular scale and a laser is squirted head-on at the edge of the blade. The laser reflects off the bevel and shines on the scale showing the angle of the bevel.
Maybe depending on what steel is used in razor blades it would give a different stiffness. Two that come to mind are AEB-L and Sandvik 13C26. I don't know if stiffness was a concern, though reading the history of these two on knifesteelnerds.com I seem to recall the makers were looking for a corrosion resistant stainless steel that's very tough for making razor blades. Blindfolded, most people can't tell the difference in the real world when they're used as knife blades. Whiskers can really tear up the edge of a blade. AEB-L and 13C26 are known as "tough" steels.
Last edited: