Bevel Calculator

The bevel angle of a straight razor directly affects sharpness, comfort, and edge durability. In general, the recommended included bevel angle for straight razors lies between 15 and 17 degrees, with an often-cited ideal target of around 16 degrees. This range provides a balanced combination of shaving sharpness, comfort on the skin, and reasonable edge life.

More acute angles can feel extremely sharp but may lose their edge more quickly, while slightly higher angles, commonly up to 19 degrees, tend to favor durability at the expense of some sharpness. Angles far outside these ranges can result in harshness, instability, or reduced shaving efficiency.

This calculator shows both the Included Angle and the Per-Side Angle, illustrating how spine thickness, blade width, and tape usage influence a razor’s honing geometry and shaving performance.

Spine Thickness

Measure the thickness of the spine across the hone-wear flats. Take the measurement on bare metal at an evenly worn section of the spine. Do not include tape in this measurement, as tape thickness is accounted for separately by the calculator.

Blade Width

Measure the distance from the center of the hone-wear to the tip of the cutting edge in a straight line. This should be done at the middle of the blade, avoiding the heel and toe. For smiling blades, measure at the center of the smile rather than along the curve.