Thread: Tape

Hi,

I have developed a habit of taping spines when honing.
If a razor is once honed with tape, I suppose it has to be taped with every touchup you do on a coticule or pasted paddle?

I Just want to be sure.

Without putting words in people's mouths, I think Randy tapes, then polishes without tape. He is a honemeister.

I am currently NOT taping even on 1K - to preserve the original angle as much as I can. Not sure if this is correct... My thinking, however, is that if you really want to get the edge - it would make most sense to do no tape, then tape to polish (so that the edge has more exposure to the finishing material). Or - if you tape the spine - then double the tape for final touches (not remove it)

I am just throwing things out here and would not be embarrassed or surprised to hear I am wrong so let's hear what you think

Cheers
Ivo

For the record - despite what I think, lately I just use no tape whatsoever

I haven't tried it yet, but I think taping after honing will break off the edge since it is way to thin to handle the stresses. you'd get a double bevel, though I don't know how bad it would be. Perhaps it wouldn't matter.

My primary reason for taping the spine is that I don't want to damage other people's razors.
Going to the 1K (or even the 4K or 8) will leave a polished line on the side of the spine, which I don't like too much.

The problem with polising without tape (if you used it during honing) is that I think the edge does not touch the paddle or coticule at all, because of the difference in angle.

But that is just what I think, so that's why I asked.

Hm, I remember that I even used tape all the way to stropping on plain leather when I used tape on the spine for honing... Had good results, iirc.

I have tried tape to hone, then off for 20 laps or so on coticule - have to say this worked for me, too. Theoretically I agree that the edge would contact the hone in a different way - nevertheless, it does work, in my experience.

Very interesting if 'no tape hone / tape polish' or 'tape hone / double tape polish' approaches will break the edge - I don't think so, and was mostly thinking of the addition for the linen and stropping, which I'm thinking will be ok. I also think CrO2 should work fine... No idea about stones, though - such as Belgians, Eschers, etc.

Come to think about this I have a blade to de-chip and hone - maybe I can try this tonight and shave experience afterwards.

Cheers
Ivo

Hello all, I am taking a break from buliding my propane forge and all that stuff. Now to the topic....

I have not noticed any ill effect from leaving the tape on for the entire honing process including the pasted strop nor any when I remove the tape after the 8k or finishing stone (coticule, escher, 12K etc).

I have not tried adding additional tape yet. What that would do is create a micro-bevel. The technique is used by some woodworkers on their plane blades as an example. They have a honing guide made by Veritas that has the increased angle adjustment built in. If anyone is trying this then by all means let us know what you experience!

Bill Ellis was essentially doing this by varying the amount of pressure as he honed. In some ways we are already doing this when we start out using some pressure, 1-2 lbs, and then lightening up later but to s smaller degree.


Just my two cents,

There really is no reason to tape a spine when honing unless you are protecting a spine with a pattern like Damascus or have a lot of steel to remove as with a chip in the edge. The angle of the edge is consistent with the shape of the razor and all the tape does is create a different bevel angle. If you leave it on throughout the honing then you end up with a single edge unless you created a double bevel. So long as the edge is consistent, you should then be able to strop and shave.

Have fun.

Lynn

Bruno, it's unnecessary to tape the spine. I know some have felt the spine would decrease in size over time but the angle geometry set by the spine and blade edge is an important one. Try this. Under magnification, examine some spines for wear. Tell us what you see.

Originally Posted by Howard

the angle geometry set by the spine and blade edge is an important one.

It's important, but there's a wide range of acceptable angles. Unless your razor is already getting near 20 degrees, taping the spine is unlikely to change the geometry enough to matter.

Now we only need conclusive research on the edge properties and feel in the 15-20 deg range

Might be a good weekend project for the scientifically inclined

Cheers
Ivo