How Bevel is Affected by Taping
Okay, this may not be news for some. I wanted to know how much the application of a single layer of electrical tape to the spine of a razor you are honing affects the angle of the bevel (as compared to no tape). So I took two measurements on the nine (9) razors I currently own:
- blade width from the thickest part of the spine(which is what contacts the hone) to the edge
- thickness of the spine
Then I used the following formula to calculate the theoretical bevel angle (I'm not smart enough to work these computers so I am showing a photo of the formula):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2202/...acb7a7dd_m.jpg
Where (still not smart enough, I insert yet another picture of a picture):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/...3f95aa17_m.jpg
Note: I divided the spine width by two to get the actual bevel angle. Otherwise I would have calculated the included angle of both sides of the blade.
I then ran the calculations as above and added 0.007" (the typical tape thickness or TTT for those that dig abbreviations) to O to calculate the angle (theoretical) with tape.
Here's the data Oh my God I'm so stupid! I have to put in another picture):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/...dcf2d650_o.jpg
Conclusions:
- Yes, taping the spine will affect the geometry of the bevel (but DUH Icedog! we already knew that!)
- The narrower the blade, the more it's bevel will be affected by taping.
- I need more big razors
- I really need to get back to work!
So what do you think about that?:gth
Save razors tape the spine......
OK..... Time for another wrinkle in the tape that spine arguement....
If the spine is taped we all agree that a slightly sharper angle is achieved on the bevel... So armed with that assumption we have also found that this slightly smaller bevel could be viewed as a slightly stronger bevel.... Therefore I assert that taping the bevel creates a longer lasting edge..... Hmmmmmmm something else to think about because if I am right then taping the spine makes razors last longer...... I would draw this out but I dont know how to do that on the computer :D