Thread: When Did Taping the Spine Begin?

Originally Posted by Kees

I have never seen taping being recommended in barbers' manuals so I guess it is a pretty modern invention of hobbyists who want to try many blades and sell them on looking near mint after having tried them for a short while. It does facilitate honing of wedge style razors.

Wedge blades are especially susceptible to spine or blade surface wear when honing. If taping or another system is to be dismissed prior to the Internet and the 1940s invention of electrical tape, perhaps they were honed raising the spine if they have come down to us in decent shape, provided that they were actually used?