How often do you have to change tape when you use it?
With tape could you be worried less about spine wear and twisting the blade less to the edge?
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I think tape makes you work more on the outer apex of your bevel, which is thinner and per theory easier to sharpen, it changes the angle a bit
IME 1 layer of tape can make a difference for your razor bevel to make good contact with the stone, where without that layer of tape it takes longer to get the entire edge right, with tape it gets a little easier and a little faster, at least for the times I tried it when coloring in the bevel.
Not sure if the tape adds anything extra to the edge besides speeding up the sharpening process, I don't see why it would
I know of people setting a bevel and refining without tape and adding a layer of tape to finish on, due to the slow finishing characteristics of certain stones where that layer of tape makes it easier to finish because of the secondary bevel you create
So, shortly put, I don't know why you would get better edges with tape than without, besides not spending enough time on the stones without tape
One of two things
Likely
#1 The feel, there is a difference in the feel,, the tape makes the stroke smoother (or should) which is also giving you a smoother stroke especially at the higher grit with less pressure or
Smoother stroke = Better edge :)
Unlikely
#2 You are wearing the spine and "Chasing" the edge as you are honing, this is most often seen with older Sheffield razors with excessive wear in the first place but I have seen some pretty tore up new Dovo's honed without tape usng heavy hands :(
The very idea that 1 layer of tape that changes the angle less than 1° on less than 1~ micron of edge is going to make a noticeable difference simply doesn't track..
Your razor your face your penny's worth of tape your choice :p
good points. I will see what I can come up with with more practice tonite. I think its most likely less than optimal stroke x less than optimal pressure x less than optimal torque = not a great edge. Maybe the tape is smoothing the stroke. A lot of these razors are showing pretty weird spine wear, some from me to be sure, but the bevels seem decent and straight.
Well I took those razors that wouldnt shave, used a layer of tape and went back to 8k then finished two on a thuringian and two on a coticule. Clear improvement in HHT for all razors after the microbevel etc. Will shave test tomorrow. My only explanation is that my initial bevels w/o tape ain't nothing to write home about.
"Why do I get better edges with tape?"
You don't. It's a myth.
True story
Well here is an update for those who are interested. As expected all finished using tape are more or less shave ready. I got a very nice shave this AM.