Thread: protecting the back of the razor

my question is when i hone using my Norton 4k/8k i put a strip of electrical tape on the back of the razor, so it wont wear down the back. im using a plastic or pvc tape. ive noticed the tape wears down somewhat but my concern is that it might be clogging the hone. it shows some black from the tape. it cleans up when i dress the stone on wet or dry paper placed on a sheet of glass. is there something better to protect the back of the razor?? thanks.

i'm no expert on the norton,but i think what others say is once you get to the norton you dont need tape its only on the courser grits that its required.

Unless you have some valuable antique with ornate decoration or gems encrusted into the back that you want to protect forget the tape, it isn't necessary. You'll be a very old man before you hone it enough on the norton to wear the back down and the tape will throw off your angle for honing.

If you really want to avoid developing a wear pattern on the spine then go ahead and use the tape. Just be sure to use it every time it goes on the hone.
The major requirement of honing a straight razor is that you use the SAME! angle every time. I would not worry about plugging up the Norton. Just put it under running water and scrub it with a 3M nylon pad between honings.

While you are honing you can also rub the hone with your fingers to remove the grey streaks of metal.

Good luck!

Hi (been busy a lot - missed this place!) -

The only time *I* think that tape on the spine needs (maybe) to be used when honing a straight is to re-establish the 'angle' of the "V" to the edge.

I am restoring (still!) a nice old Meatchopper that had been unevenly honed for years, resulting in a "wavy" edge, and one that was deeper on one side than the other. Using courser stones, and some spine tape (Duct Tape), I was able to "reset" the angle to the edge, take out the 'compound angle" that had been there before, and get the blade back to stability again.

Initially, using tape will tend to creat a "shoulder" (compound angle) at the edge, and if that is okay, then the tapes needs to be used every time you hone. Otherwise, once the edge has been reset - even with the new angel, you can then hone it (takes a while) to reduce the angle evenly back to a simple "V" again, even on both sides.

Chaaaz

Good to see you Chaaaz...I was getting worried...

thanks everyone..my main concern is a consistant angle. also just to add a note on honing. after doing this for about a year now, ive found once you get the edge correct.stropping is the key to a perfect shave. it seems that since ive got the Norton, and have used the pyramid method of honing, the more i use the razor, the more i strop it, the better it gets.

Originally Posted by George

thanks everyone..my main concern is a consistant angle. also just to add a note on honing. after doing this for about a year now, ive found once you get the edge correct.stropping is the key to a perfect shave. it seems that since ive got the Norton, and have used the pyramid method of honing, the more i use the razor, the more i strop it, the better it gets.

YES! YES! YES!

Missed your input Chaaas.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Good to see you Chaaaz...I was getting worried...

*****> Thanks ... I have been busy wrestling the cancer/diabetes beasts, but continue to enhance the quality of my life with straight razor shaving/tinkering! Feels good to be back near the rest of you crazies again!

Be well, shave well!