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Hello,
I remember reading that some people apply electric tape to the spine of their razors, to make sure no material is taken off there.
The razor I got has a decorated spine, which I would like preserved. I imagine applying electric tape, would change the contact for the blades cutting edge on the stone.
Is this a good idea to preserve the edge? Or will a minimal amount be removed from the spine over the years?
I know honing is something you do seldom.
Thank you,
- Ram
I always use tape for the above said reasons but another reason for me I really dislike the sound of an untaped spine on the stone, another thing I get more feedback just listening to the blade edge while honing so taping all the way for me.
"I really dislike the sound of an untaped spine on the stone, another thing I get more feedback just listening to the blade edge while honing so taping all the way for me. "
celticcrusader really nailed it. I have not heard much mentioned on here about listening to the edge but it is something I really depend on when honing
Here is a razor with spine work and hone wear.
This is not my razor, but personally I kind of like seeing hone wear. If you do not want hone wear, by all means tape the spine when honing. Tape will increase the bevel angle about one degree which will not effect the shave. You will never do harm by taping and you will be long dead before the cumulative geometry changes to the razor, do to taping, are even measurable.
I'm a tape user and would always use it on a decorative spine. Never used to but most folks I honed for wanted it so I just started using it on all razors, mine included.
I tape everything - there is no reason not to IMO - but it's a preference thing...
-john
I would and do use tape on all my razors when I hone. There are good reasons to do so, already mentioned above, and few if any for not doing so imo.
Bob
I tape all as well. For heavily worn spines I might even do two or three. It is not a very noticeable change on newer razors but for a worn spine it tightens up the bevel and leaves a bit more metal on the razor.
I would not buy a razor that has hone wear. I am just too picky
I used tape my first year honing because I wasn't confident enough in my skills to hone without it, and risk excessive hone wear at the spine. After a year I began honing without tape and I liked it better. Tape is a PITA, and I found that I didn't cause excessive spine wear.
I went back to taping all of my razors, even though it is a PITA, because I don't keep records (my bad) and I can never remember which were honed with tape, and which were not. We are talking a couple of hundred razors. The solution is hone them all with tape. As much as I like honing without it, I will always use one layer of 3M electrical tape. (Or more under certain circumstances)
a couple hundred? I thought I had it bad
Yup. A couple hundred is a good start.Quote:
Originally Posted by cubancigar2000
For the OP. If you do a search within the forum for spine taping you will learn a LOT about this topic. It has been discussed/debated repeatedly.
How many cigars you got ............. ? ........... :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by cubancigar2000
Ha ha, guess you nailed me on that one. I can safely now say ( because of our Cuban relationship changes) that I have over 1000. My friends are helping me reduce that but it has cost me a lot of Scotch and Bourbon because they seem to like it at my houseQuote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
lol. What was that address again?
Do you guys use tape when stropping, with/wthout oxide?
I've never used tape when stropping. So far so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by RadikulRAM
No. There is enough deflection in the strop that it is not necessary.Quote:
Originally Posted by RadikulRAM
I would assume this to be true for a paddle strop as well but I have never examined a pasted paddle stropped bevel under a microscope so I have to admit I am only speculating.
When i finish honing on the stones I go to a Crox pasted balsa strop and just leave the tape on. When stropping on a hanging strop, without Crox, before a shave there is no need of tape if that is what you mean. There is enough deflection in the strop for it not to matter imo. I imagine that if you were using a Crox pasted hanging strop the same would be true also, no tape needed.
Bob
Aha, I'm going to use a paddle so I'll just leave it on I guess. Thanks.
This question has me thinking. As I said, I use tape but I think it is a PITA. One reason for that is that I take it off before I strop the razor to gauge my progress. So every darned time I want to check I have to redo the tape.
:idea:
What I might do now is leave the tape on when I strop to check it. I can't imagine that it would be a negative in any way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
The only negative that I can even possibly imagine is if you were to strop on a really aggressive linen and the tape wore out... :shrug:
I have never tested that, it was just a thought that popped in my brain
+1...I usually will strop on leather after the 5K to test the blade edge Jimmy and I just leave the tape on. After that I finish the blade remove the tape and strop away as usual. I've never noticed any kind of problem...Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I leave the tape on while stropping during a honing and it's never caused any problems to the blade, just make sure that you wipe the tape clean so you don't get heavy grit into the fabric strop - which will definitely cause problems.
For the decorated spines I put electrical tape on when using pasted strops as well to preserve the decoration. For plain spines, I do not usually bother with tape for pasted strops.
I'm pretty new to honing, I've only done four razors. I used tape on all, and got good results. I plan to continue just to avoid any wear. I hope to be doing this for another 40 years or so, no reason to wear em down early!
Tape, I just do as I'm told.
The first few razors I ever honed were taped. Now I don't unless I come across a problem razor or one with spine work. I couldn't honestly tell you why I stopped taping. I just decided to and found I like it better. I couldn't even tell you why I like it better. Just do.
Do you guys change the tape when transitioning to different grits, or does just wiping off the tapped blade suffice?
I change the tape after 1k, and 8k
What can it hurt to use tape if you are concerned with wear? I liked Gxsixguns' video on this where he changed between tape on and off with just a few strokes. It just doesn't make to much difference so suite your preference. You should watch that video.
I just started honing and really agree with the thought that I can't put metal back on the razor so what does it hurt to use it. But if you don't want to "It's all good"!
Personally, part of the hobby to me is pushing the steel as far as I can. Each razor has a minimum bevel angle that it will support do to the steel and it's temper. I like to get close to that limit on my personal razors. Because of this I rarely use tape.
For a razor that I'm honing for someone else, chasing a minimum bevel angle is a fools errand because finding it will yield a very short lived edge. Also new shavers without a lot of experience tend to use a higher angle and need an edge that is more robust and long lasting. I normally calculate the bevel angle before I start and decide whether using tape for a more robust edge is prudent.
I strop on Chrome Oxide Polyester Canvas strop, usually 10 laps between stones and never had a problem, I do change tape frequently though.
Tape a spine while learning to hone, when you will most probably use too much pressure and do too many laps. Once mastered then decide if you wish to continue with tape.
I tape.