Thread: Electrical tape...Multiple layers?

Ok, I have not been honeing that long. Im am Useing norton 220/1000 4000/8000 On razors I have honed I have used the 1000 to set the bevel and starting at 10 or 15 laps on my pyrmid on the 4000/8000 then finishing up on a Ravens Barbers hone then stropping on leather, with pleasing results.
I do use electrical tape on the spine, to prevent hone wear to the spine. But I have read in previos threads guys using 2 or 3 layers of of electrical tape on the spine and removing a layer at a time as they proceed through their honeing process, as some tactical manover to hone a difficult razor. This I do not understand why you would need to do this? And how would you determine if you needed to do this. I have numerous razors I would like to get honed up. And if this tacktic is a good I would like to know how and why. Any help would be appreicated.
Thanks Tony

I can't answer for what everyone else is doing, but I can tell you what I do I use 1 layer of tape on every single razor unless someone specifically asks me not to...
The only time I use the 3-2-1 drop, is if I did serious restoration on the edge and had to Breadknife it, other than that 1 layer from start to finish... Also one thing to keep in mind if you decide to use tape is to change it out before each honing stage... IE: for you after the 1k, the after the 4k, then after the 8k..
Yes I know I have a slight bit of OCD but it keeps things "straight" (pun intended)

Well at least this is a topic everyone agrees on. Kidding aside, IME, and only IMO .... I started with one layer of tape because I was worried about wearing the spine when I began honing. I continued with that for about a year and began experimenting with honing without tape. Using a micrometer to measure a spine on a razor with no hone wear at the start I found that after setting a bevel and doing pyramids and finishing there was no measurable difference in the spine measurement from that session.

Since then I don't use tape unless I have a specific reason. Three layers of tape might be used on an old Sheffield wedge to increase the honing angle. The primary purpose being to decrease the amount of steel needing removal and create a narrower bevel.

If you have one or more large chips to remove than tape will protect the spine until you've gotten to a place where your chips are gone and you can begin normal bevel setting. If it is a long honing session the tape will wear and may need to be replaced every so often to maintain the same angle. This didn't occur to me when I used it routinely but Utopian pointed it out to me.

Some guys, Tim Zowada being one, like to finish a razor and than add tape to create a double bevel. They feel that gives a more durable edge. Of course on a decorated spine or a Damascus blade tape is good to protect the finish. Other than that or in the case of a stubborn wedge as noted above I don't use it anymore. YMMV.

The only times I tape are to protect fancy spines or when I hone my Zowada's in which case I use 3 layers of tape.

I've had success both with and without tape...still learning the ropes here. I have one blade that is still absolutely befulddes me. A couple of honemeisters I e-mail with both recommended several layers of tape, but said to take it off after bevel setting. Nothing about peeling off as you go.

One thing I've noticed, the razor does glide nicer with the tape on the coarser stones. For that reason, I like tape.

Goog

Originally Posted by Brando

But I have read in previos threads guys using 2 or 3 layers of of electrical tape on the spine and removing a layer at a time as they proceed through their honeing process, as some tactical manover to hone a difficult razor This I do not understand why you would need to do this? And how would you determine if you needed to do this. I have numerous razors I would like to get honed up. And if this tacktic is a good I would like to know how and why. Any help would be appreicated.
Thanks Tony

To answer your question .
What is a difficult razor? Most likely Wedges.
How you will find out? you will see if you wont put couple layers of tape you will hone whole surface(no hallow surface on the blade) of the blade.
tactic is good or bad?
some people likes some don't.
As your primary hones are Nortons and 1k Norton will eat the spine very fast. As you using 1 layer of tape really not bad idea.
hope this helps.

I always tape, unless specifically asked not to.
If I have to work on a a razor that has been honed with no tape then I go on and hone with no tape.

I honed a couple of wedges just not long ago. I always start on 3 layers. I work my way down to 1 layer. Why just incase the bevel becomes over sized . It can be dread ful if not and you end up with half the razor with a big ugly bevel. One or no layers gives better sahve as the angle of bevel is much better . Giving a smoother shave

+1 to Glens comments. I use a layer of tape on all my razors, and only use more if I'm setting a tough bevel, one with chips for example.

Once the "pre-bevel" is set with two or three layers of tape, I drop down to one layer and set a true bevel and then use one layer of tape until I'm done on the hones.

Originally Posted by gary haywood

I honed a couple of wedges just not long ago. I always start on 3 layers. I work my way down to 1 layer. Why just incase the bevel becomes over sized . It can be dread ful if not and you end up with half the razor with a big ugly bevel. One or no layers gives better sahve as the angle of bevel is much better . Giving a smoother shave

Gary i cannot believe what are you saying?
how in the world ?

One or no layers gives better sahve as the angle of bevel is much better .

would you explain this?