Thread: How Bevel is Affected by Taping

Originally Posted by shuka

Why do you have to remove the tape to set the bevel? On the last razor I sharpened, once I got it popping hairs off of a 1k stone, I added a layer of tape to set the bevel a little wider. This seemed to work very well... but as a newbie I don't really know how well it actually worked. Should I not do this anymore?

Thanks,
SHuka

If you visualize it adding tape would cause a double bevel or you would have to hone completely through and beyond your existing bevel to create a wider bevel. In general a narrower bevel is preferable IMO. You live with what the geometry of the razor dictates.

The question of taping a spine or not has been a hotly debated one with advocates on either side of the issue. Doing a forum search for "tape" and reading the threads would be very instructive if not even more confusing.

IMO if you are new to honing taping the spine with one layer might be a good idea until you have your honing chops down. Once you feel competent and are getting consistent results you may decide to go one way or the other. I formerly was in the tape the spine camp but now find myself going the other way.

Hi Jimmy -
Actually, the way I found this thread was through searching for "tape" and "set" - and yeah, I'm confused!

Doesn't adding an extra piece of tape make the second bevel you mention (i.e. a micro bevel) a wider bevel at the edge of the blade? Then there is no need to hone beyond the existing bevel - in fact, this is why I don't understand why people set the bevel with tape, and then removed the tape. In that case I see why they would have to hone through the original, until the stone begins to "work" on the edge.

However, I guess from your reply that I don't have to worry about doing anything too bad. I think I'll keep adding tape, and maybe when I'm more confident I'll make a case for it (if I still find it working well).

Thanks -
Shuka

Originally Posted by shuka

Doesn't adding an extra piece of tape make the second bevel you mention (i.e. a micro bevel) a wider bevel at the edge of the blade? Then there is no need to hone beyond the existing bevel - in fact, this is why I don't understand why people set the bevel with tape, and then removed the tape. In that case I see why they would have to hone through the original, until the stone begins to "work" on the edge.

IMO if you have a lot of heavy work to do on an ebay special or a flea market find adding tape to set the bevel will save undue spine wear. Once the bevel is corrected if your preference is to hone sans tape then it won't take a significant amount of honing to get to a corrected bevel with the no tape geometry. So that is my take on why to do it that way.

Some people prefer a double bevel, notably Tim Zowada and Bart has recommended that in his coticule only honing thread. It is a matter of what each individual feels works best for them. There is some evidence that a double bevel may be stronger than a single and may actually require less work than a single bevel.

Right now I prefer a single but I haven't experimented with the double concept to come to a firm conclusion for myself. The one Zowada I have is an awesome shaver with the double but I haven't done any on the razors I've honed. Down the road a ways I will experiment with it. More fun & games.