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Ditto. I've ruined more than one file on 'too hard' steel.
My good files only touch annealed steel anymore. that way they'll be happier :)

No, the tang should be tapered past the shoulder and this will not interfere with the washers.
The end spacer should also be wedge shaped so that the scales are open.when you pin the razor, you have...

The tape should run past the shoulders, 1/4" into the blade.
That will be necessary for maintaining a good contact between the spine and the hone.