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So I know some say do and some say don't but my question has to do with touch ups....
If you are unsure and unable to find out if a razor that needs a touch up was originally honed with or without tape is it better to touch up with, without or just start over? Or is there a way to figure that out (I assume no but figured I'd include it)
Thanks guys!
Good question! Me, I'd probably just use tape since I'm not too worried about a double bevel.
But if you really wanted to be sure without harming the edge in the process, I just thought of an idea which may or may not work at all.
1. sprinkle the edge with baby powder
2. do a no-pressure, edge-trailing, no-tape stroke over a non-abrasive medium. A sheet of glossy paper on a flat surface maybe? I'm making this up as I go along.
3. Visually inspect the edge. If the baby powder is removed all the way to the bevel then don't use tape to touch up. If some is left remaining, add a layer of tape and repeat 1-3.
Anyone chime in if you think this has any merit.
I would go for tape or no tape depending how the razor was honed before, if in doubt try it on a finishing stone for a few swipes and loot at the edge with a scope or loupe. You will easily see how the bevel looks like and if tape had been used before or not.
On second thought, ask the guy who honed it!
A past girlfriend of mine once told me that "the shortest distance between two people is communication."
Needless to say, she was a wretched woman.
I would assume if it was taped without and you touch up with tape a slight double bevel will appear, is that correct??Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
And as for asking I did and the seller (in a different BST) was unsure. they had bought it shave ready and never used it and I received it shave ready.
Just put tape on the spine and go for it. Doesn't really effect much when resetting bevel anyways.
If you swipe the razor on a finishing stone you will not get a double bevel , the effect of the action will be easy to fix if tape was used.Quote:
Originally Posted by BenjamanBarker
You can also tell if tape was used by simply laying the razor on a stone, if there was tape involved in the last honing you will be able to see that the bevel does not contact the stone.
If you do not want to deal with all that just use tape.
As above, the easiest way is to just assume tape was used and tape the spine. Tape will protect the spine, even on a finishing stone, and the effect on the edge and bevel is minimal anyway.
Sharpie marker dotted along the edge and a finishing stone. Give you a good visual of where the stone is touching and where it isn't.
Mick
If you really can't ask the last person who honed/owned it
and if you're more than just a beginner (i.e. you're enough skilled at honing),
I think the best may be to:
(1) don't tape the spine, refresh, and shave test,
(2) if the result doesn't satisfy you, then tape, refresh, and shave test.
My rationale is that if it was taped and you don't tape it, in the worst case, you'll simply polish the side of the bevel, and there won't be any effect on the quality of the shave.
Why not just try without tape since it's easier and if the hone doesn't touch the edge (i.e. the razor was honed with a tape on the spine) then it will make no difference and you can then put on tape.
Or just put the tape and if it was honed without you'll create a secondary microbevel.
Same thing if it was honed with multiple layers of tape (yeah, believe it or not I've read people doing it - I wouldn't trust their honing job though), or a thicker tape than yours - then you won't be touching the edge until you have enough spine thickness to go to, or beyond the original amount.
Firm believer In multiple layers,Converted all my daily drivers.Finest edges yet,and thet last.
Two Bevel Honing
Yes, we had the multiple layers/bevels discussion back when Zowada first pushed the idea. Here. IIRC, at the time it was plugged as a time-saving device but perhaps the rationale has had time to develop and change in the intervening period.
In any event, the OP has three options: either (1) match the bevel angle (ie by using or not using tape as determined by testing, perhaps with a bit of magic marker); or (2) Add a steeper sub-bevel (by using more tape than was used originally - testing required); or (3) wiping away whatever non-canonical bevel angle may or may not be there (perhaps after determining what bevel angle it has by testing again). This latter option may or may not come under the banner of "touching up". In the long run, if you are going to be honing or touching up your own, I'd go for the removal of the existing bevel option. A bit more work now perhaps, but a whole lot of less trouble into the future.
Good luck!
James.
I don't mean to hijack the thread. I want to reiterate that the things I do with tape don't create a secondary, or steeper bevel. It just knocks off the micro-serrations off the already 12,000 grit edge. It is not a necessary technique. It is just for those who like to tinker. Someday, I will do a photo essay on this for my site. I did just put up a quick note on my site here:
Two Bevel Honing
The first layer of tape is just to protect the Damascus finish, nothing more. The two additional layers are for the micro-serration removal.
OT: Benjamin, If it is a new, or valuable razor, you might want one layer of tape to protect the spine. It won't hurt anything. If there is already significant hone wear on the spine, just hone it, as is.
Thx for the response Mr Z.
I don't care what it do's or how it works,The end result works for me (very well)
Do not even go to 12K anymore,no need to,8K than double tape on top of one exsisting layer right to my Finishing hones.Flys in the face of tradition,but for me it works,even I can do it and I have had blades honed by the best of the best.JMO