Thread: Honing a W&B wedge, was giving me fits!

I will remember that I have another W&B wedge to get too that I have had even longer. I guess honestly I don't know why I was removing a layer of tape in the first place. I feel like I have read that at some point but can not remember for sure. I guess I will just stick with 3 layers of tape and be happy Thank you for the advice Bejay

I have heard of people adding a layer of tape before going to the finishing hone but never removing a layer of tape. In any event good work in figuring it all out in the end.

Bob

Why not start and finish with 4 layers of tape ?
Strop with no tape, weightless, tiny slack..
I love honing W & B.

[QUOTE=JOB15;1681248]Why not start and finish with 4 layers of tape ?
Strop with no tape, weightless, tiny slack..
I love honing W & B.[/QUOTE

Well I went with 3 initially because that is what felt right. Other than that I have no good answer for my actions. Like I said I really have no Idea why I removed 1 layer in the first place. Putting another layer back on was the right thing to do in any event. I finished everything with 3 layers, I have yet to strop it that will come in the a.m. once I get home

[QUOTE=ejmolitor37;1681249]

Originally Posted by JOB15

Why not start and finish with 4 layers of tape ?
Strop with no tape, weightless, tiny slack..
I love honing W & B.[/QUOTE

Well I went with 3 initially because that is what felt right. Other than that I have no good answer for my actions. Like I said I really have no Idea why I removed 1 layer in the first place. Putting another layer back on was the right thing to do in any event. I finished everything with 3 layers, I have yet to strop it that will come in the a.m. once I get home

If your having trouble reaching the edge you have a few options.
1. Bring each side of the bevel to a flatness. Not easy.

2. Hone with trickery rolling x's and so forth.Takes time to learn.

3. Add another layer of tape. Easy.

I always hone with 2 layers of tape personally.

I could be wrong in what I say but I have thousands of hours honing under my belt and I know what works for me.

Good luck..keep at it...

Thank you for the advice, on my hollow grounds I have been trying to just use 1 layer just to protect the spine from me. But from my reading these old wedges take more tape or just let it ride which I first did attempt with this razor but it started getting close to the "fine india steel " stamp in the center of the blade so that is why I went with tape. Thanks again JOB15

I personally would not through the idea of using four layers of tape out there unless the blade has some serious issues. That much tape will cause a notable change in the geometry of the bevel. The layers also become squishy and give you an inconsistent surface. Not saying that it can't be done, but it should be avoided if possible IMO. A wedge CAN be a pain if it has a lot of wear and a wide bevel. I've also honed old Sheffield wedges with little to no wear then honed up as easy and the thinnest hollow ground blade(without tape). The wider the bevel, the more work you have to do on each stone. There really isn't a magic number for layers of tape. You've got to figure out what's going to work for you and the specific blade that your working on. Once that bevel is set though, you've got to either stick with that many layers, or reset it with a different amount of layers.