Thread: tape vs no tape?

Originally Posted by BobH

I guess having a very acute angle on a very finely ground razor may lead to a weaker more fragile edge having less meat behind it. OTH that would just mean more frequent honings I suppose. Like most things it is whatever, within reason, works to the users preference.

Bob

That is correct. Not all microstructures of steel can hold very acute bevel angles. On the other hand I typically get 80-100 shaves before going back to the stones. I don't have a heavy beard and I wear a van dyke so YMMV.

Tape vs no tape? That is the question, or underwear or commando? Tc

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I would point out that, at the time of use, tape adds a degree of bevel angle. No big deal and certainly does not harm the razor. I just happen to like the shave from very acute bevel angles.

I don’t think 1 degree makes one acute and another not. I would say they are both acute and the difference is nill. In fact I have had the cake both ways and don’t notice any difference. Unless you are talking about a cute angle? Now that is a much different topic for another thread. Lol.

Originally Posted by Steel

I don’t think 1 degree makes one acute and another not. I would say they are both acute and the difference is nill. In fact I have had the cake both ways and don’t notice any difference. Unless you are talking about a cute angle? Now that is a much different topic for another thread. Lol.

Well the difference is 1 degree above nil.. I'm not saying that I could feel 1 degree, but if I prefer angles around 15 degrees, and a given razor will hone at 16 degrees or 17 degrees with tape, I'm going to go with the 16 degrees as it is closer to my ideal. It's all good and we can follow our own ways.

If the accepted angles for razors are 15-20 degrees [this is all subjective, but go with these numbers for the sake of argument] and below 15 is too harsh and above 20 is too obtuse to shave well. It is obvious to me that a 15.5 degree edge will have a very different character when compared to a 19.5 degree edge even though they are both within acceptable angles. Personally I've never gotten better than meh shaves out of razors with razors of 19 degrees or higher. I've measured razors in the low 20s. This is getting up into woodworking tool angles, Yes you can shave with plane irons and even axes if you want to prove something, but they are not at proper razor angles. IMO

Tc had a couple of razors that he said always gave him great shaves. I was very surprised when I measured them both at around 19 degrees so YMMV.

Double Ducks have a good reputation as great shavers. All of the hollow ground DDs that I have measured have been about 15-16 degrees. I don't think that is coincidence. I did recently measure a DD wedge at over 18 however.

As you can see, I'm kind of a bevel angle nut.

Couldn't resist

Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=Ye_fZocBAMI

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I'm not saying that I could feel 1 degree...It's all good and we can follow our own ways.

See, we agree right there.

According to my calculations that 1 degree translates to a smidge less then 1/42” so pretty much microscope stuff right there. But all of that really doesn’t matter to me. I guess I am willing to sacrifice a change in angle that is not perceivable in the shave for less hone ware that is perceivable on the razors spine.

Not trying to convince anyone one way or the other. They are your razors, do what you want. Nothing wrong with a discussion.

3M brand electrical tape 77 is .007 thick and the 88 is .0085 thick. that little added to the spine i really don't think would change the angle of the bevel that much. I use the 88 on every razor and they seem to do OK.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Well the difference is 1 degree above nil.. I'm not saying that I could feel 1 degree, but if I prefer angles around 15 degrees, and a given razor will hone at 16 degrees or 17 degrees with tape, I'm going to go with the 16 degrees as it is closer to my ideal. It's all good and we can follow our own ways.

If the accepted angles for razors are 15-20 degrees [this is all subjective, but go with these numbers for the sake of argument] and below 15 is too harsh and above 20 is too obtuse to shave well. It is obvious to me that a 15.5 degree edge will have a very different character when compared to a 19.5 degree edge even though they are both within acceptable angles. Personally I've never gotten better than meh shaves out of razors with razors of 19 degrees or higher. I've measured razors in the low 20s. This is getting up into woodworking tool angles, Yes you can shave with plane irons and even axes if you want to prove something, but they are not at proper razor angles. IMO

Tc had a couple of razors that he said always gave him great shaves. I was very surprised when I measured them both at around 19 degrees so YMMV.

Double Ducks have a good reputation as great shavers. All of the hollow ground DDs that I have measured have been about 15-16 degrees. I don't think that is coincidence. I did recently measure a DD wedge at over 18 however.

As you can see, I'm kind of a bevel angle nut.

That's right , he did. Tc

Is it just me, or is that gssixgun I hear in the background?

Glen can speak for himself, but he has said he doesn't care whether others tape or not cause......."It doesn't matter"