Thread: Tape question....

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.

Originally Posted by mainaman

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.

I would assume if it was taped without and you touch up with tape a slight double bevel will appear, is that correct??

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.

Originally Posted by BenjamanBarker

I would assume if it was taped without and you touch up with tape a slight double bevel will appear, is that correct??

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.

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.
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.