Originally Posted by
Euclid440
“I think that if you have a spine that isn't a perfect uniform thickness, you likely will need to hone without tape in order to remove steel from the spine, thus bringing the spine to one level plane. I check the blade to see if the spine thickness is uniform in relationship to the blade edge. This is done with the "tap & wobble test".
Nope, that is just not true. Very few razors are perfectly straight it is a product of heat treatment, and it has been that way for hundreds of years. And for hundreds of years’ folks have honed these razors without having to slab side them on a Diamond hone.
I am always amazed to find, 150-year-old, well used Sheffield razors with no hone wear. So clearly it can and has been done.
Now, if you want to grind your razor flat, it is your razor go for it, but… it does not need to be done, to make it shave ready.