To tape or not to tape?

Okay I'm not talking taping in general, as I realize this is a much debated topic. I'm referring to touching up. I have two previously shave ready razors that I want to touch up on a Chinese 12k. One is a dovo micarta from classic shaving and the other is a dovo bismark from vintage blades. I am wondering whether they were taped when they were "presharpened" and likewise whether I should tape them to touch up. I guess I could always just tape them and either it will be right or I will create a double bevel. What do y'all think?

This has always been subject to debate. I tape, one layer, then remove it for final polishing. It does depend on the if the razor was taped to begin with. You may ask Lynn, he hones for Vintage, I'm not sure about Classic, but you can PM him. I'd tape the Bismarck to protect that fancy spine.....

I am sure lynn does not hone with a layer tape. How you will be able to tell is simple look along the spine if they were pre honed you should be able to a slight hone wear along the spine face if so they were honed with out tape. other than that put black marker along the bevel hone with out tape if the marker is left on the very citting edge line then tape was used if not tape was not used that 's all you have to do but i'd bet they were honed with out tape

New razors usually come with what looks like a small amount of hone wear from the wheels they are normally finished on. These areas vary quite a bit depending on the style of the razor and the manufacturer.

I do not use tape on new razors unless I am trying to save wear on a Damascus pattern or something else fancy.

Lynn

Thanks. That's exactly what I wanted to know.