Thread: Using tape for touch-ups

I tape all razors and have finish honed and touched up with 2 and 3 layers of tape. For some razors the micro bevel works well.

Lately, for at least the last couple of years, I have pasted my edges with a progression of paste, post honing and I found a pasted strop creates a convex bevel rather quickly. Not surprising regular stropping would do the same and excessive stropping more so. The angle at the edge is probably the same as the micro bevel or at least starts out so and somewhat thicker, stronger. The comfort level of polishing probably makes more of a difference than geometry.

The extra work of tape is negligible and the feel, is just what you get used to. What I feel is the edge on the stone not the spine.

Like most things, it is a matter of experimentation and personal preference.

Wow, my head is spinning after reading this thread. I like to keep it simple so I made a decision to use tape for honing and touch ups rather than no tape. Simple A or B choice and I don't think in the long run it will make a hill of beans difference other than by using tape you eliminate any chance of wear on the spine.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Wow, my head is spinning after reading this thread. I like to keep it simple so I made a decision to use tape for honing and touch ups rather than no tape. Simple A or B choice and I don't think in the long run it will make a hill of beans difference other than by using tape you eliminate any chance of wear on the spine.

Bob

Haha you spilled the open can of worms (stolen from another thread, Earcutter I think )
Most of honing is down to what works for you. There are some fundamentals but as you get more advanced, you end up making up your own fundamentals, and they become your rules.

Tape threads are a hootYour Right Bob,The pros state over and over,Tape/no tape
Makes no diff.
My thought is every time you hone without tape,you are actually damaging the razor.
What is the reason if any for not using Tape?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Tape threads are a hootYour Right Bob,The pros state over and over,Tape/no tape
Makes no diff.
My thought is every time you hone without tape,you are actually damaging the razor.
What is the reason if any for not using Tape?

Tradition?
I for one is a sucker for tradition and "old ways".

Originally Posted by Lemur

Tradition?
I for one is a sucker for tradition and "old ways".

And the old ways destroyed millions of Razors,with the price of todays great razors,why not tape.

Originally Posted by BobH

Wow, my head is spinning after reading this thread. I like to keep it simple so I made a decision to use tape for honing and touch ups rather than no tape. Simple A or B choice and I don't think in the long run it will make a hill of beans difference other than by using tape you eliminate any chance of wear on the spine.

Bob

I hate your minimalist approach to things Bob!

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

And the old ways destroyed millions of Razors,with the price of todays great razors,why not tape.

I wouldn't say a tool is "destroyed" just be course you can see it's been used and honed, I consider it part of their life!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The answer is not quite so simple...

If the razor was just honed, without ever shaving, it takes about 20 laps on a Norton 4k to erase the 1 layer of tape bevel completely (test it yourself)

I agree with Glen on this. So if it takes 20 laps, give or take a few, to create a new correct bevel, with a 4k, how will a minor touch up on a barber hone not using tape work for a razor that has been honed to shave ready with tape ? Doesn't compute in this old man's head.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes you would if you're going to hit the edge.

Jimmy, You nailed it in 10 words.