Thread: To tape or not to tape, that is the question.

This is not a new question, has been discussed quite a bit elsewhere, but I cannot find a resolution to it that works for me. I understand the variable effects that taping the spine will have on the bevel and further finishing, but:

I tape to preserve the pristine appearance of the spine. I have a few really nice razors that I am just not going to chew up on a 1K Norton. So I tape. I know there are knowledgeable members here (Hi Bud!) who don't like taping, presumably because it complicates honing. It's also a PITA because the tape must be replaced, and I'm almost through my first roll of tape.

So, is there a compromise here? At what level grit does honing not affect the spine? I'm concerned about spine wear, of course, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist about how the razor looks, and I don't want the appearance of a new razor to be degraded by my honing. Do people just not care about this? Honemeisters will tape a spine for customers. Why can't I do it for my own razors?

I taped my first year because I was afraid of spine wear. I know of more than one honemeister who tapes all razors. I know of more than one who only tape damascus or decorated spines. Also those that are specifically requested by the customer.

Personally after a year of honing I began to experiment with not using tape. I meaured the spine of a NOS full hollow Solingen with a micrometer. Set the bevel and honed it up to shave ready. Measured the spine after the honing and there was no appreciable difference in the before and after measurement.

So for the last couple of years I only use tape for certain applications and TBH I hate honing with tape. AFAIC it is a PITA. I also think that by honing properly without tape a geometric relationship is developed between the spine and edge that cannot happen if the spine is taped. Just IMHO. YMMV.

I guess you need to decide for yourself whether the hassle is worth the preservation of the spine's look. Even an abrasive-laden strop will change the look of the spine, so I think this is probably going to be your own preference rather than a cut and dry answer

It really doesn't matter at what level the tape doesn't affect the spine wear.

Once you have a bevel, the angle is set. If it was set with tape, then removing the tape would leave you wearing down the previously established bevel (meaning you aren't improving the shaving edge at all).

Adding a layer of tape is something that some guys do, but you can't really get away with working it the other way around...

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I taped my first year because I was afraid of spine wear. I know of more than one honemeister who tapes all razors. I know of more than one who only tape damascus or decorated spines. Also those that are specifically requested by the customer.

Personally after a year of honing I began to experiment with not using tape. I meaured the spine of a NOS full hollow Solingen with a micrometer. Set the bevel and honed it up to shave ready. Measured the spine after the honing and there was no appreciable difference in the before and after measurement.

So for the last couple of years I only use tape for certain applications and TBH I hate honing with tape. AFAIC it is a PITA. I also think that by honing properly without tape a geometric relationship is developed between the spine and edge that cannot happen if the spine is taped. Just IMHO. YMMV.

Thanks for the reply. I could live with spine wear within limits. After all, as the spine slowly wears and the blade continues to be honed, the bevel and the spine continue their angular relationship. I'm more concerned about the "appearance" of wear. If I could be assured that honing leaves the spine "appearing" nearly as new, I could live with that and live with the eventual wear as well. Does the honing up through 4K, 8K, and 12K and on to stropping also "finish" the spine and make it look nearly as new? I respect the issue of taping and resulting angle changes, but I am more concerned about the near-new look of the spine. Thanks for any and all comments.

I would suggest honing with tape in the beginning. Once you feel confident in your skill level experiment with razors that you are not that concerned about causing any undue wear. There will be a certain amount of wear and it also depends on how many razors you have. I have such a large rotation that I don't hone the same razor often. For a person with one or two it might be different.

Taping cannot hurt. Not taping can wear the spine.

It was pretty simple for me.

Make a choice and deal with it...

I can only state all the various reasons over and over so many times...

I am one who tapes every single razor Yours, Mine, and Theirs.. I am very very conscious of changing the tape at every level of honing...
I started taping because, I started restoring razors and I will be d*mned if I am going to spend all that time polishing out a blade to a near perfect finish, then put hone wear on it, so I tape...

Now on the reverse side of that I have yet to have a razor come in for honing or restore that has been harmed from tape (maybe 100 years from now I will) but I sure have fixed a truck load that have been harmed from hone wear on the spine

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I will be d*mned if I am going to spend all that time polishing out a blade to a near perfect finish, then put hone wear on it

It's a wonder that you go on to hone them at all, scratching up those innocent, newly mirrored bevels with all manner of hones and strops

I knew that Glen and Randy both tape them all and I did too. I probably would have been comfortable doing that forever. It is certainly easier than trying remember which were taped if you don't tape them all.

The fact that Lynn didn't use tape gnawed at me. I figured there must be some advantage or he would have. So I experimented without it. Like Lynn I will still tape a damascus, a decorated spine or per customer's request but the feel of honing without it is so much nicer IME not to mention a lot less hassle. Different strokes and all roads lead to Rome ... figuratively speaking.