Thread: Honing advise needed: 1 layer vs 2 layers of tape

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

If you could get it to take an edge with two layers, it should take an edge with one or none (assuming no serious problems with the geometry). So if you're not getting there with less tape, you probably just need to put in more time honing it. That said, walk away as soon as you get frustrated and come back with a cool head later.

Yeah, that's what I did and went straight to the forum.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Where are ya from gnoils? If you are anywhere around me, maybe I can help you out a bit. Sounds like you are using too much pressure. Try x strokes and the honing stone in your hand instead of on the table...this helps to show yourself how much pressure you are using.

BobH:
Two layers on 3K, then one layer on 8K? Must have taken a long time to get things right on the 8K. What I am saying, unless it's a typo, you did things backwards my friend and your 8K didn't even have a chance to polish the cutting edge, you just polished the side of the edge but not the cutting edge.

I'm in Perth OZ mate. Fair distance away from the straight buzz. Appreciate the offer for help though.

Well. I thought so and then I tried to hone without any pressure. It's still the same. toe and heel sharp but not belly. I think I just need to put some more time in establishing that bevel and since the Norton 1k is pretty slow I was just getting impatient.

I will try again, hopefully soon.

Originally Posted by gnoils

When you say repair the damage with circles, I'm getting the hint to not use tape. Is that correct?

I normally don't, but that is only my preference.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by gnoils

When you say repair the damage with circles, I'm getting the hint to not use tape. Is that correct?

Just to add to what Lynn already said .... if you think about it, there is a relationship between the honing flats of the spine and the bevel. If honed properly this will develop in a certain symmetry. Maybe not a perfect symmetry but the honing eventually 'corrects' any irregularities between the spine and bevel ..... if honed correctly and without tape.

Now if you hone with tape, and there are any irregularities in the relationship between the spine flats and the bevel, they will always be there. The relationship will never change and all of that will be reflected in the bevel. If a razor already has wear from improper honing correcting it without tape may give some more visible wear to the spine but in the long run, I think it is a better way. YMMV.

I have a similar issue with a Dovo. I think the first time around I did not hone it properly and man the bevel was nice on one side and wide on the other. I went without tape to fix it and I guess I not have the patience for it. So I went in the other direction. I put six layers of tape. It worked. Of course the remnants of the old bevel are still there. Anyway. I guess one of these days I will try to correct it without tape. But until then I just wanna shave with the darn thing.

IME it's a lot harder to go from two layers of tape to one layer of tape, than to go the other way. Adding a layer of tape increases the angle, and your honing effects the leading edge right away. Subtracting tape reduces the angle, lifting the leading edge off the hone.

So it isn't surprising to me that the OP is having a hard time with this blade. He took a layer of tape off. Now the edge needs to be reprofiled so that the leading edge contacts the hone again.

I agree that taking a layer of tape off before 8k is backwards. I have added a layer before polishing, never the other way around.

Michael