I used to tape the spine all the time and just left it on for everything (including pasted hanging strop) except stropping. Now that my Rad has plateaued I don't worry so much about tape (I will use tape on the Bergischer Lowe - I'm a bit OCD about the gold wash on the spine).

But I've noticed what you are saying, Josh, especially on my JR wedges the first time I honed them. It's one of the reasons I gave up taping so much.

James.