Thread: Stupid Honing question...

I have sort of a stupid question regarding honing. If I have a razor that's shave ready and that was honed with tape...When it becomes time to touch it up I again use tape...After a few touch up sessions I assume that the razor will need more and possibly the bevel will need to be reset...SO when I'm resetting this bevel should I also again use the same amount of tape or is that just going to go against what I'm trying to do.

thanks!

This is a "hot button" debate among the honing crowd. To see what I mean by that, just read the responses to the last sentence I'll type in this post......

When it comes time to set a new bevel, you've got two choices, use tape, or not.

If you do use tape, you'll be keeping the same basic angle, except to the extent the angle changes each time honed with tape. This means you will have less work to do because it's been honed with tape already.

If you don't use tape, you will have to put a lot more work into setting the bevel, but you'll never have to use tape on that razor again.

[flame]Other than a corrective measure to fix prior bad honing/grinding, or to set a double bevel, I have never heard a logical reason to tape a spine: discuss.[/flame]

I usually tape my razors because I like them looking new. I also have one with some pretty fancy spine work so I don't want to ruin that. I probably wouldn't use tape on an old vintage razor but all my razors are new factory razors so.

If you're honing correctly, the natural wear on the spine won't hurt a thing. It will be just as smooth and polished as the edge of the razor.

Likewise, with fancy worked backs, most razors I've seen, the spine work is not done on the edge of the spine where it would rub on the hone, but on the back of the spine.

If you're more comfortable honing with tape, be my guest. Just be aware that once you use tape, you must always use tape, or spend a great deal of time resetting the bevel to get out of it.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

If you're honing correctly, the natural wear on the spine won't hurt a thing. It will be just as smooth and polished as the edge of the razor.

That may be correct for your honing sesions this year, or next year etc. But what will the spine look like after 40+ years of being dragged across an abbrasive surface week after week? My razors may be in my possesion now, but I plan to pass them on to my son, and then to his son and so on until they are of little use other than to hang on a wall as a reminder of great-great-great grandpa. I'm with Dups on this one; tape to protect the spine and, if necessary, create a double bevel.

I always tape. If i've got a new razor, or have spent hours restoring one, i just don't want to have hone marks on the spine.
If you want to keep it looking pristine, put a layer of tape on.
If you're not bothered, & don't mind the initial extra work that it'll take to re-set the bevel, then leave the tape off.

I find that it takes quite a bit to hone a blade not taped that has been honed taped before.

I guess my real question is that after you use a razor, let's say everyday for a whole year. Would the original bevel be completely gone or would simple touch ups keep it going indefinately?