Thread: Greetings from the great white north

Yes tape is used throughout the honing process. Usually you change the tape every time you change hones. It is reccomended as people new to razors tend ho wear the spines out while learning to hone.

The disposable razors or shavettes are a mixed bag. Some like them and others hate them. From the overall reading I've done it seems they can be harsh to shave with and easier to nick yourself. Many would use them for travel as it is easy to get blades wherever you go.

Hi and welcome to SRP!

Knife sharpening and razor honing are quite different processes, so new techniques will need to be picked up, not to mention most likely a new hone or two. The stones to hone razors are of a much, much higher grit than is normally used on knives. However, having an interest in Very Sharp Things is a good starting point.

Using tape or not using tape is *entirely* your call. Some do, some don't, either will work. That having been said, gssixgun (one of the most experienced honers out there, and someone whose youtube videos you should check out for honing info and instruction) has spent a heck of a lot of time looking into the angle difference between tape and no tape. It boils down to a minuscule difference that appears to disappear withing a short number of strokes on the hone.

All of which to say: don't worry too much about the tape/no tape debate. Pick one and run with it when the time comes.

Otherwise, I'd echo the advice given above, especially to start off with a razor that has been properly (i.e. by a pro) honed to a shave-ready state. Even if you do decide to hone later on, that will at least give you a benchmark to aim for with your own honing. Without knowing what a truly shave-ready razor feels like, you'll be trying to hit a target you can't see when you're honing your own.

Here's one of gssixgun's vids that I think should be required viewing for anyone starting out on honing:



I've never used a shavette or disposable blade straight, so can't help you much there. But if you're thinking of buying a straight and want some advice on potential purchases, feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll help as I can.

Good luck

Welcomed aboard