Thread: Tape and change in angle.

Hi all,

I'd like to ask if using only one layer of tape changes significantly

the angle of the edge on the stone.

Can I use one layer of tape with razors that I don't know if they've

been honed with or without tape?

Thanks.

One layer of tape will not affect the performance of the razor.

As above, the razor will not shave differently at all.
Furthermore, the change in angle is minute, and can safely be disregarded as any major factor.
And yes, you can use tape on a razor that may or may not have had a taped spine before.
If you only touch up with a finisher, you will effectively create a micro-bevel.
That's fine, the shave will not be affected by that.

+1 to the above. Just for clarification, in the unlikely event you didn't know, standard electrical tape is the default for taping spines by the majority here. I prefer 3-M but they are probably all essentially the same.

Put one layer of tape, ink the bevel and do one stroke on a high grit stone. Look to see if ink is removed across the whole bevel, if so one layer of tape was used.

If ink is removed only near the edge, it was not taped originally. If Ink remains on the edge and is removed on the rear of the bevel, more than one layer of tape was used.

An easy and quick way to touch up an edge where there is no damage, is add one more layer of tape than original and do 3-4 laps on a high grit stone creating a micro bevel.

Strop and shave. A Micro Bevel can easily be removed when re honing, just make sure the micro bevel is “micro”. It should be a very thin bevel at just the edge.

Some problem razors will benefit greatly from this.

The tape I use is a colored 3M electrical tape and it is marked on the packaging as being .007of an inch in thickness.
I would say that .007of an inch is significant, but that it in no way adversly effects the effectiveness of the razors ability to shave well.

Originally Posted by Galaxy51

I would say that .007of an inch is significant, but that it in no way adversly effects the effectiveness of the razors ability to shave well.

I would say because it in no way adversely affects the effectiveness of the razor's ability to shave well, that 0.007 of an inch is insignificant.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

+1 to the above. Just for clarification, in the unlikely event you didn't know, standard electrical tape is the default for taping spines by the majority here. I prefer 3-M but they are probably all essentially the same.

For all intents and purposes, yes.
That said, if we are going to be anal about it, the various 3M tapes actually vary a bit in thickness
The Super 88 being the thickest of the bunch and Super33 being slightly thinner and the Thermaflex types even more so.

The angle wont change enough IMO either. BUT I use jnats and I like the feedback and the spine helping to break the slurry. As much as I know the shave doesnt change much, for the reasons listed I dont tape any of my personal razors.

Thank you all.

So, just one layer of generic electrician's tape won't change the angle significantly.

I can use tape for honing a razor which has been previously honed with tape or no tape.

I guess that I can hone a razor with no tape eventhough it has been honed with tape the last time, right?

Thanks.