Thread: Why do I get better edges with tape?

Originally Posted by cugel

no hangups but I do tire of switching it out when setting bevels. I just think my technique is "off" still.

How often do you have to change tape when you use it?

Originally Posted by Speedster

Could you be torquing the razor differently when you are not using tape? I'm assuming these fleabay razors do not have significant hone wear.

With tape could you be worried less about spine wear and twisting the blade less to the edge?

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

Originally Posted by 32t

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?

I change the tape when it starts to show clear wear.

Originally Posted by cugel

But even if I start from the beginning with tape I get better results. How can increase the likelihood that the hone is cutting the apex w/o tape?

Sorry, I guess I misinterpreted your original post. I thought you only were adding tape as a correction after you were not satisfied with the edge after the original non-taped honing.

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

Originally Posted by gssixgun

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

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

Originally Posted by earcutter

"Why do I get better edges with tape?"

You don't. It's a myth.

True story

well what I was trying to say is that something is off on my technique so that only adding tape could save it. I was not trying to say that in general tape is better. Its masking (no pun intended) my mistake(s).

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.