Thread: Newb Barber hone question

Ah, but the question is, was it originaly honed with tape on or off and do you use the barber hone in the same fashion you honed it?

For small hones that I don’t wish to hold in my hand, a small layer of blue-tac on a surface will secure them.

Use the tape, either way it will work. If you didn't use tape to hone and you did with the barber hone, you will create a secondary bevel much like the unicot Coticule method which should be just fine.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Ah, but the question is, was it originaly honed with tape on or off and do you use the barber hone in the same fashion you honed it?

I chose tape on and hit the barber hone. Oh well, small sacrifice, I guess. I decided to keep all my razors with tape on. This way I'm not guessing and creatine problems for myself. Besides, I've got some 'tiques that I wouldn't like to create additional spine wear.

Don't leave the tape on 24/7 as water will get behind it and cause rust. Just always have two ready to go, if one needs a touch up, grab the other one. Then you don't have to use tape mid shave

Originally Posted by rodb

Don't leave the tape on 24/7 as water will get behind it and cause rust. Just always have two ready to go, if one needs a touch up, grab the other one. Then you don't have to use tape mid shave

LOL> Nooooooo...... I wasn't too clear. Tape on *only* when honing.

I've done that with a razor that was trouble to hone and put away for later, it was not pretty under the tape...lol!

Originally Posted by Siguy

LOL> Nooooooo...... I wasn't too clear. Tape on *only* when honing.

If the bevel was set with tape it alters the angle of the bevel by slightly raising the spine, so for your bevel to lay flat on any stone it needs to be at the same angle....
Example:
My razor bevel was set usin 1 layer of tape.

Scenario 1: freshening of edge, I hone without tape. The spine lies slightly closer because it has no tape spacing it further from the stone, meaning the spine side of the bevel lays on the stone, and the edge side of the bevel is tilted slightly outward.

Scenario 2: I add 1 layer of tape as initially honed. Bevel is at correct angle as nothing has changed so entire bevel touches stone.

Scenario 3: I freshen the edge using 2 layers of tape, spine is even further than initial honing placing the spine side of the bevel off the stone, and therefore the edge side of the bevel is touching stone.


Personally I touch them up the same way I hone them. Originally tape was never used so this wasnt an issue but as us razor lovers with pristine beautiful razors like them to stay that way we use tape to protect the spine, and change the angles