Thread: I don't like taping the spine.

I accept that I must tape the spine resetting the bevel on the Chosera 1k but have heard it is possible to transition away from tape on a 3k stone. Next would be a coticule finishing up with a thuringian. How do you make this transition?

David

If you mean the transition from taped 1k to un-taped 3k, then simply hone away on the 1k with tape and don't worry about the wear on the tape as long is it does not wear all the way through. When the bevel is set, take the tape off and hone on the 3k. The normally required number of strokes on the 3k should be more than enough to convert the bevel to an un-taped angle.

If you don't want to tape and are resetting the bevel. The time to "transition" is when you start on the 1K.

Won't the 1K damage the spine if the razor is not taped?

It will wear the spine. This is more the case on the 1k but all hones will wear the spine. It's a matter of degree, personal preference, and honer skill.

I use tape when setting the bevel with my Chosera 1K, then take it off when I hone with my Naniwa SS 5K, 8K, Coticule, and Escher. Works great for me.

You don't use a 3k transition stone without tape? Someone said I should do that.

I go straight from taped on a 1k to untaped on a coticule (normal slurry dilution process). Never had any problems achieving a great edge. Sometimes I finish up with a thuringian, sometimes I just enjoy the edge straight off the coticule (depends on the razor and my mood...).

That's what I'll do. Thank you.

David

Isn't tape on the 1K then not taping just fooling yourself? You have to "grind" the bevel down to the plane of the spine (with the corresponding wear on the spine) to get to the edge on the higher grits so where is the benefit of tape then not tape?