STICK TAPE, THROW IT OUT?

[Euclid440]

STICKY TAPE, THROW IT OUT?

Well it has been over 100 here in California and when it gets that hot in the shop, my tape gets sticky.

I find that only 2 or 3 rolls of the tape get weird the rest of the roll is usually ok. But it does not matter, just spray a shot of WD40 on a paper towel and wipe the residue from the role, and your good. Same for any residue on the blade, WD40 will remove it easily.

I have always been freaked out when removing tape, trying to get your fingernail under the tape in the corner of the stabilizer with wet fingers. A buddy sliced his thumb deep, doing just that. Always apply tape with dry hands, it just takes a second to dry them.

So, you do not need to tape the whole blade. You only need to tape the center 1/3 of the blade. This makes removal much easier and safer. Taping 1/3 will keep the whole spine off the stone, test it. Ink the spine and tape the middle third, you will not touch the ink on the spine. I usually cut mine about 1.25 – 1.50 inches long.

I add a layer of Kapton over electrical tape for longer lasting tape. But if you want a bit more insurance makes the Kapton a bit longer than the electrical. Kapton is slicker than electrical, much stronger, and thinner. Makes a great micro bevel by adding a third layer for final laps on your finish stone.

I can hone a razor from bevel set to finish with out replacing the electrical tape or Kapton. If the Kapton does burn through it is easy to replace it without removing the electrical tape.

[Toroblanco]

Thats funny, concrete tape and kapton is what I use too. I like how concrete tape sticks well and is easy to take off. Kapton tape is my go to, I love how abrasion resistant it is and so thin.

[STF]

Thats funny, concrete tape and kapton is what I use too. I like how concrete tape sticks well and is easy to take off. Kapton tape is my go to, I love how abrasion resistant it is and so thin.

What's concrete tape?

[Euclid440]

Kapton is so thin it can be a pain to use off the roll. It is so thin it wants to fold onto itself.

So, I put it in a double tape dispenser. The dispenser makes it so easy to dispense a piece and to measure exactly how much tape you need.

In this photo I am measuring the length needed by holding the razor up against the tape as I pull it from the roll. The dispenser makes a zig- zag cut that is easier to get a fingernail under for removal.

I bought the dispenser at a flea market for a couple bucks. I have another that has 2 rolls of painter’s tape and one with clear 2- inch packing tape, makes packaging so much easier.

[tcrideshd]

For removal of tape I have always found it easiest to just leave it a half inch or so long. Just grab the end and pull.

[Toroblanco]

It's a red tape used in the pool(gunite) industry to cover existing tile or stamped concrete for example. It sticks very well and comes off without leaving any residue to have to clean up again like duct tape will. I had a box full of it and one day could not find my electrical tape. I tried it and was nicely surprised. Holds well and comes off clean. Very abrasion resistant too. I have been using it for about two years now.

[Euclid440]

Lots of other tape you can use, packing tape is particularly good, tough, and slick. The USPS packing tape sold at the post office is thick and very good. I use it all the time for taping knives where you want to protect the blade finish, it cut easily with a razor to expose just the bevel and comes off without residue, but is 2” wide.

Different tapes and manufactures come in different thicknesses, so find one you like and use it to maintain a consistent bevel angle. The brand I use is Duck brand, that I bought for 1$ a roll from the Habitat for Humanity, I like the red, but I noticed that the White tape from the same seller and same brand is a slightly different thickness, it also is not as sticky, but more wear resistant, go figure.

The Kapton is eBay Kapton and some say it is not “real” Kapton. Doesn’t matter, it works… very well and is cheap. Make sure to buy the right width, it comes in millimeter width, you want whatever is ¾ inch width. 1/2 inch puts the edge too close to the wear spot and will curl and will not work well with thick spine Sheffield’s.

I bought several rolls years ago, looks like, now they market it in ¾ in width which is 19-20mm.