Thread: Honing with/without tape... Testing the theories

I guess I just have better things to do than test this theory. I will just trust a man who does this way more than I do and continue to protect my spines. Besides, I would hate having to acid etch my Allman Scandi blade every time I hone.

Great info Glen, thanks. SRP Mythbusters strikes again!

But...

In reality, once a blade is shave ready, it will not be undergoing numerous bevel resets like your test razor, just a light touch up every so often. So in theory a razor could last at least a couple lifetimes without significant wear. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure no one here has the patience (or the lifespan) to test that one.....

Pretty much what I figured too Ryan, at least one lifetime, and also exactly what Jimmy said also is true, barring a heavy hand on the hones even without tape the razor should last...

I honestly don't think either way makes much difference at all...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

barring a heavy hand on the hones even without tape the razor should last...

As I have progressed in my learning i have noticed much less spine wear.

Most razors are designed to last a minimum of &#@ years. Pick a number.
My first razor was a DD Special #1 44 years ago. It came to me at .625
Except for the very point, it is still .610
None of us knows anyone who ever wore out a razor from new through normal use.

Happy Easter to all.....

Jerry

Just to add to what I already said, I am glad that I used tape my first year honing. If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now, I'd still use tape on all razors until I felt really secure in my muscle memory and and sense of pressure and whatnot. I didn't screw any up when I began honing without tape but I had been honing a year and gone through quite a few by then.

Glen, Randy and others that I know of use tape and there is nothing wrong with that. I only hone my own. If I was honing for other people I would either tape them all or maybe not tape it the customer requested no tape. What I'm getting at is there is nothing 'wrong' with using tape if that is your preference. IMHO.

As far as spine wear is concerned, I have an old Frederick Reynolds with plenty of blade left but the spine is practically gone because Reynolds are know to be very hard steel. Apparently the edge is harder than the spine because the spine is nearly flat. When I honed it, it took an inordinate amount of time and effort plus 4 layers of tape to get a decent looking bevel on it. Spine wear does not necessarily occur commensurate with blade wear. Had I not used tape, the bevel would have been too wide to suit me or anyone else for that matter.

I also have an old DOVO with the same problem. I also have many with decorative spines so there is tape in my tool box and I use it when the time is right.

Jerry