Thread: Quick question I have not seen answered...

Originally Posted by HNSB

I hardly ever use tape.
Only to protect etching or other decoration on the razor.

I don't care for the feedback difference with tape.

So basically if I go with light to no pressure tape is not "really" necessary..

Originally Posted by brooksie967

Water displacement on the 40th attempt (it's a NASA product). I've never used oil or anything other than lather/water so I can't comment.

It sounds like a good idea to keep them separate!

I think I might have just made up the NASA thing. Yep I did but it was used for rockets!
WD-40 was invented by the three founders of the Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego, California. The team of inventors were working on a line of industrial rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry.
WD-40 was first used to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

I think I might have just made up the NASA thing. Yep I did but it was used for rockets!
WD-40 was invented by the three founders of the Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego, California. The team of inventors were working on a line of industrial rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry.
WD-40 was first used to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.

I think you are right on the money brooksie967... I remember hearing that WD40 was a product of NASA research.

I think that's why, in the past, barbers used to use lather on their barbers hones. It'd give the razor just that little bit of cushion while honing thus eliminating the pressure of the razor on the abrasive.

I think you're wrong about that Brooksie. Lather is used for faster cutting, water for final finishing. Try it, and you will agree. Otherwise, not much else for me to contribute to this thread.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

I think you're wrong about that Brooksie. Lather is used for faster cutting, water for final finishing. Try it, and you will agree. Otherwise, not much else for me to contribute to this thread.

I was just going off my very limited experience with barbers hones. Can you explain, for my knowledge as well as everyone else, why lather would make it cut faster? It definitely felt slicker than when used with water.

Originally Posted by Chevhead

So basically if I go with light to no pressure tape is not "really" necessary..

Depends on the razor & what needs doing. The only absolute is that stone abrades steel & you should be in control of where & why.

A light restoration on a hollow grind with mint geometry or a new razor can be honed with no tape & introduce minimal spine wear if you have the hands. Notice I say minimal & not nil spine wear but even from the factory there is some spine wear so the degree again is your choice.
The bevel set may take less than 5 mins on said razor & may even be achieved with a 2-5K hone.

A 100yr + wedge is another can of worms.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

Can you explain, for my knowledge as well as everyone else, why lather would make it cut faster?

In the old old barber manuals, what they called lather is what we refer to as slurry.

Originally Posted by Chevhead

So basically if I go with light to no pressure tape is not "really" necessary..

In my opinion no; especially after the bevel is set.
If anything, until you have a good feel for torque, use tape for any heavy grinding work, and then take it off to finalize the bevel set and sharpen.
That would prevent most of the hone wear.

When I do any heavy grinding, I torque the razor to reduce wear. I don't remember if the technique was easy when I was starting or not.

Originally Posted by HNSB

In the old old barber manuals, what they called lather is what we refer to as slurry.

I made lather out of soap and used it on the hone... man I feel dumb. LOL

Some people do that too, and some of the newer barber manuals mention soap lather. I think I've seen it in instructions for newer barber hones too.