I've seen several references to "taping the spine" of a straight razor blade and photos of a taped blade in one of today's threads. Why is taping done?
Thanks
Bob
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I've seen several references to "taping the spine" of a straight razor blade and photos of a taped blade in one of today's threads. Why is taping done?
Thanks
Bob
When some are honing a razor on a stone, they tape the spine to keep it from wearing and disfiguring the look of the razor. Some do it always; some do it never; and some do it only on razors with fancy spines, or ones that were taped before (because it effects the angle of the bevel/edge).
Well-said, Harold! So Bob. Hit that search-box on taping the spine! That horse has been whipped to death! LOTS of threads there! :deadhorse:
It is sometimes done to preserve the look of the spine, as Harold said, other times to build up the spine to get a proper bevel angle on razors that were either ground too thin at the spine, worn too much from over honing, or on wedges to make it easier and increase the angle for a thinner bevel.
Thanks, everyone! Sharptonn, you are correct, I need to do better research.
Bob
That's encouraged not just so you can find the answer that you're looking for, but along the way you, like 100s or 1000s of us might see something you didn't even know to ask about. It's a great learning tool in this site, because it's customized to show previous related conversations.
Yes, Bob! Harold speaks the truth. It can also be a 'controversial' subject! :rofl2:
If everyone used the search function than none of us would get to show how smart we are ........ :thinking: .......... :rofl2:
one thing to remember is if you do tape the spine pay attention to the thickness of the tape. some tape is .007 of an inch and some more. I use one that is 8 1/2 thousand of an inch. a friend uses one that is .010 of an in. it will make a difference.
Yep ....just ask Glen aka Sixxgun...he would love to talk about it ....LOL
I heard that if you tape the spine the bevel angle gets changed so much.....ah forget it.
Electrical tape is appox 8 mils in thickness. I was not a fan as I started out honing, but I started doing some research on tapes. Not just electrical, but other types available. I found a foil tape that is 3 mils in thickness, wears better and does not have a drag I felt with electrical tape(real or not). I comes off with no residue.
Just because you tape the spine does not mean you have to use electrical tape
Sorry I forgot to include it
http://www.venturetape.com/pdfs/data...%20-%20TDS.pdf.
The BEST thing about using a layer of quality electrical tape is that the edge is all you feel and hear upon the stone. A few times, I have grabbed one and laid it upon the hone without tape. Instant alarm! JMHO
I don't use tape and I won't get into why.
Yeah I really only use tape on fancy spines or spines with some really wacky honewear. No reason why I don't use it all the time except for the fact that it's just another step to do and isn't really necessary if the the spine isn't all wonky.
I was not a tape guy until I found this stuff. My ol Lady works in a body shop and brought a roll home. so, I figured I would give it a try. It has worked so much better than electrical tape, I am using it full time.
Here is a contact to get samples of the different tapes.
HVACÂ*::Â*Venture Tape
Here is a listing on amazon. I get at least 3 pieces out of every 6 inches of tape. It is 120 yards long, so you do the math. I am too tired
Amazon.com: VENTURE TAPE 1599B-SILVER-2X120 SILVER TAPE - 2 INCHES X 120 YARDS: Home Improvement
Fox
Sharptonn, I find what you say very interesting because I like working with physical computing devices so every now and then I do use electrical tape (usually to repair one of my blunders, don't feel I'm any expert.) I have a roll of Scotch Super 88 right here which was bought because I needed the high temperature rating of the tape for an electronics project. Question: what is a quality tape for purposes of honing a razor? One that has a sound-absorbing capability? Or helps you set the bevel of the edge? Is tape color important? This thread highlights that tapes vary in thickness and you don't necessarily need electrical tape. I've read comments in other threads about using layers of tape on the razor spine. Has anyone put together a guide for what tapes to use and what thicknesses are needed for different honing tasks? I see I've asked more questions than I thought I would -- sorry for that. I'm just curious and I'll understand if there is no answer to some questions.
Thanks a lot,
Bob
I think the important thing is that the thickness remain consistent. IOW, using Super 33 on one session, and Super 88 on another might be less accurate. OTOH, the difference might be negligible. I'm betting some of our members who use tape would feel using varying thicknesses would be tantamount to 'the unpardonable sin'. I'm not saying some of our members are 'anal' ........... but ....... :rofl2:
I don't think the variations of tape thickness in quality standard electrical tape are worth worrying over, JMO. I like using it as I don't hear or feel the spine, just the edge as I hone. I also like it quiet as I hone as well. Personal preference, I suppose!
Here's a thought, probably not a good one but....
Electrical tape acts like a little shock absorber on the scale we are talking about so its use might conceivably neutralise, or at least mitigate, some of the tiny little variations in razor angle that occur when the spine encounters a little bump or dip on the hone surface that the edge is not currently experiencing?
Granted, it's very marginal if indeed it's anything at all. But you can't deny electrical tape has more give than a plain metal spine.
Anyway, theoretical nonsense aside, I use tape because that's how I started and I'm definitely a creature of habit, or perhaps OCD.
James.
Same for me, Jimbo. I just use tape! Now adding layers to get a decent bevel is completely determined by the razor it'self.
Whole 'nother ballgame!
I tape because I usually am honing a razor I spent an ungodly amount of time restoring and honestly don't want to see it scratched up or flattened.
U have noticed that tape can help hide uneven hone wear at the bevel.
I just wrapped 2 pork tenderloins in bacon. They got noticably larger in diameter. Should make them better with the extra layer. :)
Attachment 171943
Anyone tried bacon? :shrug: EVERYTHING is better with bacon!
have you not tried bacon bits on your sundae? tc
My sweet tooth surpasses my salt tooth. Except on oatmeal. Can't stand oatmeal with sweet stuff on it. Was raised to eat it with salt. Think I'll make some now.
Never did use salt on anything. Probably why my blood pressure is normal. I was entertaining a visitor some years ago. Lyle Tuttle was a famous, at that time, tattooer, and he was over my place. I offered him coffee and he said sure. Do you take anything in it I asked ? Nope, I used to drink it with milk, but one day there was no milk and I never drank it with milk again so I wouldn't miss it. This made a lot of sense to me and I've been drinking it black ever since.
I eat oatmeal every day. Just plain old quaker oats 'old fashioned' but in oatmeal I use 1% milk, blueberries, walnuts and a banana sliced. In the midst of it I take one teaspoon of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil. I don't tape any of this but I've got an open mind on it if anyone has any suggestions . :beer2:
I knew it !!!!! :(
Only a matter of time before Tom would de-railed a perfectly good "Tape/No Tape" thread !!!! :mad:
,,,,,,and he did it with a 2 pork tenderloins,,,,, He's a Pro at it,,, I say,,,:shrug:, went straight for the jugular he did,,,
how about we put tape on our oatmeal spoons? tc
What?.....Moi???? :confused:
Attachment 171964
Little did I realize that my question about taping the spine of a straight razor would end with photos of two bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins.
Bob