My first year honing I honed everything with 1 layer of 3M electrical tape. I was afraid of causing significant hone wear. I think that was a good thing because I was still learning and probably did way more strokes than was necessary much of the time. After a year I ventured out into honing without tape and gave it up on all but damascus (pattern welded steel) or decorated spines. I like honing without the tape better and I don't find appreciable hone wear with no tape. OTOH, if I have an ebay special with an edge that resembles a hacksaw blade I will use a layer until I've got the chips out of it and the bevel where I want it. Then I'll go sans tape. Just my preference and I don't hone for other people so no issues there. YMMV.