Thread: Extreme Taping

Just curious here. I just built my first razor from a Nicholson file. After finishing it up today I noticed how much thinner the spine is on mine than my Dovo. So far I've used three layers of tape on the spine to increase my angle but I think I may need to go more. I'm getting a great edge mug I think it may still be too acute. The edge doest seem to be as strong as my other razors. I guess my question is, how many layers is too much? If I use 4 or 5 layers, will it affect my stropping? I know I have to slacken the strop a little to compensate for the increased honing angle. Any suggestions would be fantastic

Not speaking from razor making experience, so take it for what it's worth......probably two cents but more likely less.
I think from what I've read on here, that 16 degree's or somewhere around there is where you need to be. If your putting that much tape on the spine to get that angle, when you do go to strop the razor, I'm pretty sure that edge isn't going to touch the strop. And I'm sure the thickness of the spine vs. the width of the blade coincides with each other to create the correct angle.
You know I probably shouldn't even give my two cents............there are a lot of very knowledgeable people who could answer this, with no doubts

I'd make a "wedgie" of some sort to slip over the spine for honing the correct angle. More than 3 layers of tape gets squishy and variations in tape thickness would be multiplied.

There are clip-on guides on the mkt for sharpening Japanese style cutlery. Matters not what you make it from-if you tape it.

I'd try to get close to the angle of your production razor. but whadda i know? (BWIK)

Like a frameback? that sounds like a good idea

Yea, it does sound like the blade geometry, I think it is called, is a little off. there is a certain spine width to blade width ratio that allows for something like a 16 degree bevel. Putting a false frame back on it would do the trick. There are some threads discussing honing wedges that get into that.

Bob

I appreciate the input so far guys. I came up with a different idea. I have a razor with a bent edge that is all but impossible ( for me) to hone. So I measured the thickness of the spine and the width of the blade from spine to edge. Then I measured the thickness of the spine on my file razor. A little algebra from the olden days gave me the correct ratio to go by. I ground th edge down to lessen the width of the blade which will theoretically give me a wider bevel on my edge. My goal is to be able to use just one layer of tape for honing and still have a strong, sharp edge that I can shave with. Now I'm jus working my hollow grind back in and I'll hopefully be in the ballpark to have a comfortable shave with this thing

Too late I guess

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...r-customs.html

Here is a another thread about taping and angles there are some links to other threads from this one too

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...-theories.html

Dang Glen, that brass tubing idea is brilliant. I may still be able to do something like that If this doesn't work out