I'm just learning how to use the website and just sent an email to one of the senior members asking the same question as follows. I would like to get as much input from others as possible in response to my question.

I'm new to shaving with a straight razor and I'm wondering how much the spline on a razor is affected everytime you hone? I just bought a set of Norton combination waterstones (220/1000 & 4000/8000) and was able to get a great edge with the 4000/8000. I'm sure evertime you hone, it tends to take a certain amount of material off each side of the spline and therefore decreasing the angle of bevel (too sharp). As the amount of times you hone increases, it seems this would not be good and will eventually cause the bevel to be too sharp and cause the leading edge to "roll". I watched someone on Youtube hone a razor and he folded a piece of electrical tape along the length of the spline for protection and used it only with the 1000 stone. He took it off and then continued on the 4000 and 8000 stones. The only problem I see with this is the electrical tape has a few thounsands of thickness and will decrease the bevel angle once you take the tape off. I want to make my razor last for as long as possible and don't want to do anything to excessively wear out the spline early in it's life. Any feedback and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!