Thread: 12k naniwa question

I just received a new razor from revisior.. it came shaved ready.. im happy with its shave. My question is when it comes time to touch up a razor that was already shave ready when u bought it are u supposed to tape the spine when touching it up?

If the spine was taped originally, when it was honed, taping it at touch up time will insure that the very edge makes contact. if it wasn't taped when it was originally honed taping it will change the angle slightly. You might ask Thomas @ Revisor, if that is where you got it, if they tape spines when finishing their razors.

What if u dont know.. will it hurt taping the spine.. I wanna keep the razor as pristine as possible.. but my naniwa 12 k just seems so smooth will it mark up the spine..??

Im by no means an expert but I think if it was not taped then it would be fine either way, taped or not taped. If it was taped originally and you dont want to tape then you might want to reset the bevel and start over from there when it comes time to touch up or it will take you forever to reach the very edge with a 12k

I don't think that you'll find that your 12k will cause much wear on the spine. If tape was not used originally, a trip back to the 8k with tape, then the 12k would be my suggestion. Dropping down a grit will help creat that micro bevel. Then the 12k will polish it up nicely.

You want to keep the razor in pristine condition, therefore you must tape it the first time you touch it up, and from there on as well.

i would tape the spine and go straight to the 12k no matter what was done previously. Neil Miller explained why in a post ages ago now and i cant remember why but it was definitely to tape it

Originally Posted by bombay

i would tape the spine and go straight to the 12k no matter what was done previously. Neil Miller explained why in a post ages ago now and i cant remember why but it was definitely to tape it

I agree. Maximiliian gave me similar advice sometime ago as well.

Airportcopper,

If you do tape, use a reputable brand like 3M.

I, and quit a few others, have had black/grey stains left on carbon steel razors from unknown brand tape (this was due to the sulphur content of the tape).

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

If it was honed with tape then honing without would require resetting the bevel, rather than a touch up.

If it was honed without tape then using tape will result in a small secondary bevel which is a method often deliberately used to improve the sharpness.

Either way tape is not going to harm matters.

That said, with the exception of a near wedge I own, I've reset the bevel on all my razors without tape. Personally I'm not concerned about the spines of my razors, but we are all different.