I have been straight razor shaving and honing for over 20 months and enjoying the process. Recently have read a few threads about the difficulty of honing wedges and had given up on a Wade and Buthcher (looks like a full wedge). I'm not sure how old the razor is, but it had a shoulder that ran down the middle lengthwise. This razor has been my nemesis. What ever I tried I couldn't get it shave half descent. I was using multiple pieces of tape and couldn't get an even bevel, and had trouble cutting arm hairs no less a heavy beard. I must have spent 10-15 hours using a chosera 1000 and Nortons and coticules to try to get this shave ready. Finally I retaped the spine, but for the first time I did it very carefully so that each piece lined up with the other. I used 4 pieces of tape and was able toget it to cut arm hair. Then I put another piece of tape (carefully) and finished it with a coticule diluting from a light slurry to clear water. I'm not sure what did it, but I think the very careful placement of the tape helped so that the bevel was even and then using the additional piece of tape to create a microbevel sealed the deal. It's now popping hair with the HHT and I haven't even stropped it yet. I can't wait to strop and shave with it.