Thread: Tape When Honing VS. NO Tape

Hi Guys, reading and leaning as I go and questions keep poping up. I was wondering how many guys use black electrical tape on the spine and how many do not. Looking for the pros and cons of using the tape on a Norton 4/8K stone.

The tape is there to protect the spine if you've got serious honing to do like taking out a nick or setting a new bevel on an ebay razor, but even then I think most guys take it off once they leave the 4k and start heading up the grit progression. If you've got a decorated spine then you might want to tape it the whole time, but if you're that worried about the decorations then you probably don't want to actually shave with it...

I never use it really. And just recently I sold some razors that I've gotten good comments on the sharpness for. So anyway....I never use it.

One of my favorite razors is a frameback with a brass spine (I suspect it's a wartime model). This soft spine can't handle the hone at all, so it gets tape even for a 2 or 3 lap refresh on the barber hone. It's kind of a pain, but it shaves so well...

Best regards to most... and happy trails. Time to migrate. I may start something on my own site.

This weekend is honing weekend. I have 2 ebayers that I will have to set a new bevel and two that are almost shave ready. I plan on using the pyramid on the two that are almost shave ready and then going to .50 diamond past and .25 diamond paste. The two I have to set a new bevel, I was thinking of starting on the Norton 1000 grit to shape it and then going on to the 4/8k pyramid and to the paste. What do think.

thanks for all the help.

hey there, in my way of things Ive tried both scotch tape and electrical tape , having an obundance of it being an electrician formerly,the scotch tape with my experience serves as a guide but also wears out quickly, so you need to change it alot, electrical tape is a bit hardier and doesnt wear away therefore not coming off on your hone, im still getting to grips with the honeing and i find it relaxing when doing it, i know i probably didnt give you a great answer but those are my findings, best way is to try it for yourself....cos Im no expert thats for sure.

Have fun,simon

ps, some of the experienced member use skype and I found that a great help..

I only have working razors without decorations etc. Their spines get no protective tape.

Same with me. All of my razors are strictly for shaving and I don't have any real collectibles. I just don't want to clog up my hones with tape and adhesive residue.

Best regards to most... and happy trails. Time to migrate. I may start something on my own site.