Thread: What exactly is overhoning?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

IIRC, the concept of dulling the razor on a glass came up with the intro of the dulicot method. So that new guys trying it would be starting from square one, as it were, to insure a 'controlled' experiment. It seems to have taken on a life of its own since then. I don't practice that either. I have enough trouble without dulling them on purpose.

Jimmy,

I think that you've nailed it. It was just included as a way to control the progress on the coticule.

I use it out of paranoia, personally. Also, it allows me more time to hone. I don't have the massive razor collection that some people have (though my wife would disagree), and I like honing, so it's not a god idea to finish off the edges too quickly.

I tried dulling the edge before honing 1 time only.

IMO, complete and total waste of time and steel under normal circumstances. The edge didn't come out any better or worse, but it took 5 times as long to hone.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

I tried dulling the edge before honing 1 time only.

IMO, complete and total waste of time and steel under normal circumstances. The edge didn't come out any better or worse, but it took 5 times as long to hone.

Hmm.....on me coticules, it takes one or two rounds of 30 x half-strokes to get the edge back. No time at all.

Depends on what hone you use, I guess.

Originally Posted by ndw76

Over honing is when my wife complains that I have been spending way too much time paying with razors and hones and not enought time with her. The solution is usually put the hones away and go to bed.

That was classic. thanks for the laugh!

Some of these posts seem to be telling me that I should not worry about taping the spine on my razors. The nifty drawings by VeeDubb65 tell me that if I tape my spines, I will slowly but surely change the angle of my edges to a sturdier angle. Thus less sharp?

If I don't tape my spine, the sides of the spines will wear in proportion to the wear on the razor's edge which seems to promote a sharper edge in the long run.

I believe I have too many worked spines, etched spines and gold washed spines that I feel I must protect from wear. This can be somewhat of a dilema. And most of my plain spined razors have been highly polished by me to keep them looking new.

I guess the sharper edge should be my goal and forget protectng the spine. I guess I am as much concerned about overhoning the spine as overhoning the edge......

Originally Posted by mrsell63

The nifty drawings by VeeDubb65 tell me that if I tape my spines, I will slowly but surely change the angle of my edges to a sturdier angle. Thus less sharp?

Technically, this is true. However, it's not a great reason to use or avoid taping the spine. Those drawings illustrate the removal of a HUGE amount of metal. It would probably take a number of years to create any meaningful impact.

Most razors I do not tape personally because they were manufactured to be honed with the spine flat on the stone. Some razors I do tape because it makes some razors much easier to hone, and can help to compensate for certain problems.

Other guys (and I used to be one of them) flatly refuse to tape any spine, while yet another camp tapes every single spine because they personally find the best results when they do.

Like so many things, it depends on the particular razor, hone and hand involved. As such, I suggest you try taping. If it doesn't do anything for you, skip it. If you later find a razor that you have a hard time honing for one reason or another, try taping again and see if it helps you on that particular razor.

Originally Posted by yohannrjm

Depends on what hone you use, I guess.

lol. Doesn't everything?

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Some of these posts seem to be telling me that I should not worry about taping the spine on my razors. The nifty drawings by VeeDubb65 tell me that if I tape my spines, I will slowly but surely change the angle of my edges to a sturdier angle. Thus less sharp?

If I don't tape my spine, the sides of the spines will wear in proportion to the wear on the razor's edge which seems to promote a sharper edge in the long run.

I believe I have too many worked spines, etched spines and gold washed spines that I feel I must protect from wear. This can be somewhat of a dilema. And most of my plain spined razors have been highly polished by me to keep them looking new.

I guess the sharper edge should be my goal and forget protectng the spine. I guess I am as much concerned about overhoning the spine as overhoning the edge......

If you want to protect your razors decorative spines then one a layer of tape. I, and this is strictly opinion, think that hone wear on a spine is what happens through the razors natural life and is what keeps the angle correct as the edge is removed over and over again.

And the "great tape debate" begins
After years of "discussing" this I have come to the conclusion that there are no legitimate reasons for, or against tape, every single point on either side has a counter point.. SO use it if ya want, don't use it if ya don't want

Oh my God,

An overhoning thread leading to a discussion of taping spines! LOL.


Glen, this is your worst nightmare!!


P.S. You're right too.