Can someone explain this?

Yesterday, I honed 4 razors. 3 were just fine and I had no issues, but 1 near drove me to fits. I COULD NOT get the bevel set. I honed and honed until I feared getting hone wear on the spine. I put it down for a while, and then went back at it but this time put a layer of tape on the spine. Damn thing honed right up perfectly and gave me a great shave last night. So my question is, why would I be able to set the bevel so easily with one layer of tape when I couldn't without it? I don't get it. I realize the layer of tape would change the bevel angle slightly, but that's pretty slight. This was a 5/8 razor. I couldn't detect any issues with the spine or grind......

I just don't get it..:shrug:

That is the way it goes sometimes. That is part of why when you hit the wall, you just put it down and walk away. Sometimes it's just not there, maybe we are trying too hard. Sometimes walking away fixes everything, I just accept it.

What was your basis for determining that the bevel was, or was not, set?

TPT and shaving arm hair.

I think the bevel was probably just not quite there and you finally got it there with the final attempt - I doubt the tape had anything to do with it.

I've settled on looking at the bevel with a loupe as the most valuable test - once you know how to interpret the scratch patterns of a good bevel. I also watch how the blade shaves arm hair - I want to see the hair just popping off the skin with very little effort or pressure.

-john

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Originally Posted by ocelot27

[...] I doubt the tape had anything to do with it [...]

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And I think that the tape might just have done it in the end. Sometimes an angle change of 0.8 degrees may just make the difference between an angle just too low for a decent bevel to be formed and one that results in stable edge. Another reason might be that you possibly created a secondary bevel, which held better than the one set without tape. Maybe they're two parts of the same reason.

Or maybe it was something else, but this is my best guess.

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Originally Posted by Pithor

And I think that the tape might just have done it in the end. Sometimes an angle change of 0.8 degrees may just make the difference between an angle just too low for a decent bevel to be formed and one that results in stable edge. Another reason might be that you possibly created a secondary bevel, which held better than the one set without tape. Maybe they're two parts of the same reason.

Or maybe it was something else, but this is my best guess.

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Good point - I was assuming there is no or little hone wear...

John

Thanks everyone. There was very little hone wear on the razor, and it's hollow ground. I added the tape because I was concerned I was going to create hone wear with all the honing I was doing.

How about a photo and close up of spine and edge?

Something is going on.

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Originally Posted by Foxhill

Thanks everyone. There was very little hone wear on the razor, and it's hollow ground. I added the tape because I was concerned I was going to create hone wear with all the honing I was doing.

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Just use tape and eliminate the worry about spine wear. 1 or 2 layers of tape when setting the bevel and 1 layer for everything else. A byproduct is the tape will increase the angle of the bevel and it will set easier. At least thats been my expierence. I now tape every blade when I hone it just keeps things simple.

Football season was great for watching a game and doing a bunch of razors all at once. Guess now it will have to be NASCAR or golf.

A good thing to remember when using tape though is to change it every now and then, as it wears considerably faster than steel (even though the main pressure in honing should be on the edge, not the spine). I usually replace the tape after I get the bevel right.

I have the same experience. They're just razors that don't remember what they're supposed to do. It takes them a while to remember. Some a day, others longer.
You may also find that they may just be picky as to what they want to be sharpened on.
It's true, it's true!