Thread: Do you use Tape with Coticule?

Hi All,

I just wanted to get a quick average of what percentage of coticule users tape their blades. If you'd like to give a bit more info about why/why not that would be great.

The reason I ask is because I haven't been able to get an edge as sharp without the tape as with, and it's really annoying me.

Cheers,

Rob

I don't like the way it feels to hone a taped blade, so I don't use tape unless there is some advantage which outweights that feeling. Off the top of my head, I can think of three razors I taped and two others that I will tape when I need to touch them up.

One was a Greaves wedge that had been restored; it had chips in the edge and was clearly going to need a lot of work to get to the bevel. I didn't want to introduce massive amounts of hone wear to the spine on the first razor I ever had restored, so I taped it.

Another was a microtome that had a totally flat ground back side; the whole back side razor, from the spine to the edge, touched the hone. I did not have the patience to hone down the entire side, so I taped a toothpick to the spine on the flat side. This also meant that there was one layer of tape on the hollowed side. Yes, I did get that microtome to shave.

The third was a small Wade & Butcher frameback with an etch on the blade. The razor had a fair amount of hone wear, and, when I initially started honing without tape, it looked to me like the bevel would grow into the etching before I got to the edge (not because the edge would be in the etch, but because the bevel was getting very wide). I added a layer of tape and was able to get the razor to shave without running into the etching.

The two that I will tape when I touch them up are both large razors that were restored. One is an 8/8 Savage wedge that, before I bought it, had never been honed - that's right; new old stock from the 1840's. The member I bought her from asked me if I'd like her taped or not, and I went with yes. The other is an 8/8 Wade & Butcher For Barber's Use wedge that I had restored. Undream did the restoration, and he also generously honed the razor to shave ready for me (I think he just wanted to shave with my razor ;-p). Since both of these are large wedges, I am quite sure it would take more than the "couple strokes on a Norton 4k" to make up for one layer of tape. Therefore, I will take these both when they need a touchup.

I would also tape a patterned ("damascus") razor or any other sort of "decoration" that would be "damaged" by honing. I have not been taping blades that I have been buffing, but if I ever buff a razor for someone else (not saying that I will), I would ask them if they want tape or not and would use tape if the requested it.

I always use one layer of tape. I just like keeping my razors as "new" as possible.

I never use tape . Never ever .

When I was beginning to hone I used it all of the time. Now only for a Damascus blade, decorated spine (sometimes) , or in a special case where there are restoration considerations.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

The reason I ask is because I haven't been able to get an edge as sharp without the tape as with, and it's really annoying me.

Cheers,

Rob

It sounds like you are talking about using tape to get a double-bevel vs. using tape to protect the spine.

I used to use tape for the double bevel effect, and it worked, but I really wanted to get the blade just as sharp with a single bevel. So I went back to the drawing board, and reset my razors with a single bevel (no tape).

I'm able to get great edges with a single bevel off the coticule now, using the dillution method. It just takes me a *lot* longer to get there (single bevel=larger bevel...). For my 1/4 wacker, it probably takes me an hour dilluting down the slurry, then I do about 200 strokes with just water. The process is much faster on my full hollow Dovo.

-Chief

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Hi All,

I just wanted to get a quick average of what percentage of coticule users tape their blades. If you'd like to give a bit more info about why/why not that would be great.

The reason I ask is because I haven't been able to get an edge as sharp without the tape as with, and it's really annoying me.

Cheers,

Rob

If i am not mistaken similar questions was in srp long time ago.
it doesn't matter use tape or not to use tape. sharpness of the blade will not change.
Only changes you have is illusion. Actual sharpness is same.
what you do by taping is changing cutting angle and that makes you feel like it is sharper.
Now why you have problem with getting really sharp edge off your coticule is may be the your coticule is not fine enough.
They are natural stones and there is always differences among them.
How about if you try another stone and see what happens.
example 16k shapton and see can you get edge sharp enough without tape and with tape.
hope this helps.
gl

No tape,

Its just part of the honing process...no biggie to me.

the "Unicot" method is very easy to achieve good results with. The Dilucot method takes quite a bit more time/skill to achieve the same great edge, but it's possible. I rarely use the Unicot method anymore, but it's definitely a technique capable of attaining great results

Originally Posted by Dups

I always use one layer of tape. I just like keeping my razors as "new" as possible.

I'm with you, Dups.

For me it's for spine protection, not for double bevels.