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If the spine has a problem you will not be able to set the bevels if you use tape unless the problem is fixed.

may be you mean the bevels? If you have tape on the spine you can't fix it because the tape is protecting it.

Old sheffield blades are notorious for blades that are not straight. Problems you could encounter with those are, toe/heel or both not laying flat on the stone, uneven grind, warped blades, uneven...