Honing refresh question

I have been deployed for a length of time and my straights have been in storage. Those that are in my daily rotation have a bevel and need some refresh work done. I have all the hones I need and have had them lapped to ensure they are straight, flat and true. My problem is I cannot remember if I used tape on the spines (and if so how many layers) or where I need to pick up from to get my straights back to shaving like butter order. My time online is limited and I do not have the change to spend a length of time searching through threads. It has been some time since I have been on the site too.

Any help, and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Evan

First off thank you for your service Sir!

The tape or no tape can be checked with a marker. Run the marker down the bevel, then run the razor a couple laps over the stone. If all the marker is gone to the edge then no tape was used. If not then add a layer and repeat. The marker should be gone to the edge. I believe the only time you use more than 1 layer is for full wedges.

As for which grit you should only have to go back to the finishing stone. I’m fairly new, so you may want to wait for a pro. I only chimed in because you said you had limited time at the computer and I noticed you post 20 odd min ago.


Enjoy the day,
Benson

+1^. Yea, if they just need a refresh start on your finisher. If that does not work drop back a hone and try again. If that does not do it drop back a hone which likely will put you at your bevel setter. Some light strokes on the bevel setter should reset the bevel and back up the progression you go.

Bob

If you are quite new to honing just use tape. The added thickness may add a micro bevel on the first couple of touch ups if they were initially honed without tape. A micro bevel is intentionally created by some to get a wee bit more sharpness on an edge. It is very effective on 1/4 hollow blades it seems.