Quote Originally Posted by cpcohen1945 View Post
On taping the spine:

Taping does two things:

1) It slightly raises the spine, and changes the honing angle of the edge;

2) It protects the spine from the hone, so it doesn't develop "hone wear".

If the bevel is good, and it was created with _no tape_, adding a layer of tape will give you a slight "compound bevel". I don't think most people have a problem with that.

If the bevel is good, and it was created _with tape_, you _must_ use tape for honing. Otherwise, your honing won't affect the cutting edge. [A picture is worth 1,000 words, and I can't draw.]

If the bevel isn't good, that's a whole other story.

Charles
Hmmmm compound bevel eh? Sounds interesting! I assume I have to use special tape? Or can I just use a strip of duck tape?