Thread: Thickness of tape if used?

I prefer the 3m also but at the end of the day any quality electrical tape will work just don't apply to much preassure to the spine & change regularly as it wears out
And replace it for the finishing hone at least

Does not matter as long as you use the same roll of tape and it is new tape. A roll that’s been in your tool bag or box for years will get gummy and breakdown and cause all kinds of problems. It can vary a bit, from roll to roll but not enough to worry about.

I too like the colored tape, I buy it from Habitat for Humanity I think for a buck a roll. I go through a lot of it and change tape often.

Don’t over think, it’s just tape…

I prefer to use a thicker tape while bevel setting, then switch to normal thickness for the end of the bevel set and for the rest of the progression. If I desire a hint of a microbevel, I do my final finish with the thicker tape.

I also color code my use of tape in three main categories--bevel setting, sharpening, and polishing. That way if my honing is interrupted, as it often is, I know approximately where I was at with each razor.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I prefer to use a thicker tape while bevel setting, then switch to normal thickness for the end of the bevel set and for the rest of the progression. If I desire a hint of a microbevel, I do my final finish with the thicker tape.

I also color code my use of tape in three main categories--bevel setting, sharpening, and polishing. That way if my honing is interrupted, as it often is, I know approximately where I was at with each razor.

Can you further explain your color code method.

It's nothing elaborate. During bevel setting I use a thick black tape because I expect greater wear. That tape is 0.0085" thick. I finish the bevel set with tape that is 0.007" thick to set the correct bevel angle. That tape used to be brown but now it's green simply because the last time I stocked up the store had more rolls of green than brown. From the final rounds on the 1k hone through an 8k hone, I use that green tape. Anything above 8k is taped with red tape that also is 0.007" thick. If I want to do a bit of a micro bevel, I will put the thick black tape back on and do up to 10 strokes on the final finishing hone.

Obviously the tape colors are irrelevant, I simply use them to keep track of where I am in the honing process. This tends to be more necessary with more razors, more distractions, and more age.