17° Bevel: Shavable?

[PeteCress]

Is is realistic to expect to be able to shave arm or leg hair with a knife sharpened to a 17° bevel?

Looking for tests of my sharpening skill (or lack thereof...).

 

[shane45-1911]

The bevel is only a part of the equation.

The final finish (grit) of the edge is what determines if it will shave. A 100 grit finished edge will not shave nearly as well as a 1000 grit edge.

Steel type also plays a role - steel with large carbide inclusions will not shave as well as a finer edge with less prominent carbides.

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

Shane is right about grits and steel types, but generally speaking yes, at 17 degrees per side you should be able to attain shaving, tree-topping, even hair whittling sharpness with the proper skills and techniques.

 

[Richard338]

A straight razor is usually 16-18 degrees, but that's the total included angle, not degrees per side like we usually discuss knife bevels. Nevertheless you can still potentially shave, just not optimally.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

The thing that matters the most is that you're actually apexed. If the two sides of the bevel don't actually meet to form a clean apex, the knife will be dull(er). You can pop hair with a 17DPS edge if you did it right.

 

[PeteCress]

The thing that matters the most is that you're actually apexed. If the two sides of the bevel don't actually meet to form a clean apex, the knife will be dull(er). You can pop hair with a 17DPS edge if you did it right.

What is "DPS"?

 

[shane45-1911]

What is "DPS"?

Degree Per Side.

 

[Another Shepherd]

Lots of people here can shave with their Spyderco knives, and a lot of Spydercos are 17 or 18 degrees per side from the factory.

 

[Dav1]

The lionsteel M5 is considered fairly thick behind the edge/primary bevel over 20° mine shaves effortlessly so yes 17° should easily shave with basic skills.

 

[Wandering_About]

Is is realistic to expect to be able to shave arm or leg hair with a knife sharpened to a 17° bevel?

Looking for tests of my sharpening skill (or lack thereof...).

Yes, it is very realistic to be able to shave with an edge at 17 degrees per side.

 

[Corton93]

Most all of my edc knives are sharpened between 17 and 20 dps. And all of them will shave hair, even those finished at 140 grit, after stropping of course.

But as many others have said, alot more goes into cutting ability than just your edge apex angle..