Thread: layers of tape for wwdge grinds.

So I'm looking to get some perspective on layers of tape. Usually for a wedge my standard is 2 layers of tape unless the honewear is exceptionally heavy. I'm starting to rethink this. I usually do this to keep the bevel small however I'm starting to feel this takes away from the shave. It seems to Me that tradionally the bevel on these razors were a bit wider due to restrictions on honing techniques of the time and that they function better with a proper angle of only slightly raised spine from the stone.

What I'm getting at is how much is too much? For example I have this very VERY mint W&B


With very clean honewear. My instinct is 2 layers however I'm thinking 1 is going to be enough. On the other hand I have this greaves 8/8 with extremely heavy wear that I would go 3 layers



So where does aesthetics vs function meet an equilibrium? Hollows obviously tape is completely unnecessary unless you're protection something like gold wash.

Originally Posted by scag315

So I'm looking to get some perspective on layers of tape. Usually for a wedge my standard is 2 layers of tape unless the honewear is exceptionally heavy. I'm starting to rethink this. I usually do this to keep the bevel small however I'm starting to feel this takes away from the shave. It seems to Me that tradionally the bevel on these razors were a bit wider due to restrictions on honing techniques of the time and that they function better with a proper angle of only slightly raised spine from the stone.

What I'm getting at is how much is too much? For example I have this very VERY mint W&B


With very clean honewear. My instinct is 2 layers however I'm thinking 1 is going to be enough. On the other hand I have this greaves 8/8 with extremely heavy wear that I would go 3 layers



So where does aesthetics vs function meet an equilibrium? Hollows obviously tape is completely unnecessary unless you're protection something like gold wash.

Interesting discussion for me. Fancy spines aside, my tape or no tape decision is based on measuring the bevel angle. My favorite shavers tend to be under 16 degrees. Some of the softer steels/tempers will not support this acute of an edge so, on those razors, I try to find the most acute angle that will hold up. Chasing the bevel angle is a big part of the hobby to me. YMMV

I have a 7/8 near wedge W&B which I honed using just 1 layer of tape I had no drama Edge honed very well and very pleased with it. I generally dont use tape I dont like the way it feels on the hone .

I have no science to back me up. I use one layer on almost everything. I like to believe that the people that made the razors are more educated than I one blade angle and the likes. The exception is heavy hone wear and uneven hone wear. I use one layer for protection because I do not like the scratch pattern of the hone on my spines. On occasion I do use a micro bevel.

I doubt one layer of tape to protect a spine would make much difference on the shave or the durability of the edge.

I recently bought what was a pristine old W&B, that some Jack o lantern, put on a low grit stone and ground the spine and bevel, I wish they had used some tape.

Tape will not hurt, you can always hone without tape once the bevels are flat, if you really think a degree of angle will make a difference on your face.

With old wedges I take measurements of the spine width and blade size ( edge to top of hone wear). Then do the calculations to see how much tape it needs or doesn't need to be in the correct spec range for bevel angle, 15 to 19 degrees. I always use at least 1 layer of tape to protect the spine and it has never made a difference on how well the blade shaves.

Bob

I've only honed my user, but I always use a layer of tape to prevent hone wear on the spine. I would use at least one strip on any other blade if it was sufficient. I want to keep the bevel angle as close to what the maker intended, which I believe is what RezDog was saying.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I have no science to back me up. I use one layer on almost everything. I like to believe that the people that made the razors are more educated than I one blade angle and the likes. The exception is heavy hone wear and uneven hone wear. I use one layer for protection because I do not like the scratch pattern of the hone on my spines. On occasion I do use a micro bevel.

Is one layer enough on wedges to prevent wear on the faces of the blade? I have a wedge I want to hone, but the blade is in such good condition I'm worried about scratching it.

I have several Frederick Reynolds 7/8 wedges and a couple of large Wade & Butcher wedges that have all shaved just fine with 1 layer. If the spine has a little hone wear it makes for a little wider bevel and in my life it is not an event.

Originally Posted by scag315

It seems to Me that tradionally the bevel on these razors were a bit wider due to restrictions on honing techniques of the time and that they function better with a proper angle of only slightly raised spine from the stone.

Nope all the mint wedges I've seen had small bevels. Wider bevels are always a function of hone wear.

http://www.coticule.be/wedges.html?f...alculation.xls