Thread: Probs with new Bismarck

I'm thinking of getting one of these great looking razors - however I'm not sure if the fancy spine needs special attention when honing.

What do you experienced guys do when honing these fancy spine blades - is taping the spine the "norm" here? also, in this thread with suggested bevel work, again would the spine be best taped, and wouldn't that result in always having to use tape when subsequently touching up?

Thanks.

Stuart

Originally Posted by stuhaz

I'm thinking of getting one of these great looking razors - however I'm not sure if the fancy spine needs special attention when honing.

What do you experienced guys do when honing these fancy spine blades - is taping the spine the "norm" here? also, in this thread with suggested bevel work, again would the spine be best taped, and wouldn't that result in always having to use tape when subsequently touching up?

Thanks.

Stuart

Yeah, they do look good!

The one I ordered had been honed with no tape and you could see a little bit of spine wear. Its about 0.5mm across I guess, so nothing too major and you cant really see it. Just a thin flat spot on the very edge where blade meets spine.

If you do tape your spine you'll need to do it all the time to keep the angles of the edge right. If you use tape and subsequently stop, or vice versa, you'll need to reset the bevel.

I personally do tape, just to avoid wearing down the spine. But if I had a razor that had been honed beforehand without tape then I would continue to not use tape. Basically I'll protect the spine if I can, but not if it means I have to spend ages sorting the bevel out. I'm lazy like that..!

Originally Posted by stuhaz

I'm thinking of getting one of these great looking razors - however I'm not sure if the fancy spine needs special attention when honing.

What do you experienced guys do when honing these fancy spine blades - is taping the spine the "norm" here? also, in this thread with suggested bevel work, again would the spine be best taped, and wouldn't that result in always having to use tape when subsequently touching up?

Thanks.

Stuart

If you want to protect the spine, the by all means tape. I prefer not to tape if at all possible. If I'm in the middle of a shave and the blade starts to pull just a bit (and stropping won't fix it), I'll lather up a barber hone and do a quick few laps to get it shaving smooth again. I wouldn't really be able to do that if I had to take the time to tape the spine. It all comes down to personal preference and whatever works best for you.

I own a couple of bismarks i never tape the spine personal prefferance. when mine came it had been factory honed they clearly did'nt use tape as there is a little spine wear. i would use one layer if setting a second bevel thats the only time which is very rear mainly on wedges

Originally Posted by stuhaz

I'm thinking of getting one of these great looking razors - however I'm not sure if the fancy spine needs special attention when honing.

What do you experienced guys do when honing these fancy spine blades - is taping the spine the "norm" here? also, in this thread with suggested bevel work, again would the spine be best taped, and wouldn't that result in always having to use tape when subsequently touching up?

Thanks.

Stuart

I don't believe you will have to always do it with tape following the first time if the belvel is re=worked as that is the point of bevel work. It has worked fine for me to reset the bevel without tape. The exact angle will change but that might not be bad. Smaller bevels can then be re-had.

Touching up the blade you will likely need to follow it though
MikeB