Thread: Strop after Taping the spine

Does the x pattern change at all after honing a razor while taping the spine. I've had a razor that wouldn't take an edge no matter what I did (new bevel, different progressions, pyramid, pastes... So I decided to tape the spine and it worked. only challenge is that it seems a bit harsh even after stropping (without the tape, after .5 and .25 paste). Not sure if it's me just yet but don't want to break it down and start over just yet in case.

Ok, I'll add my $0.02 here.

First off, taping the spine. I know electrical tape is very thin. But then so is the edge of a razor. Isn't the angle from the edge to the back of the razor specifically engineered by the razor makers so that the razor, when placed flat on a hone, rests with just the correct angle for honing?
And doesn't even the slightest change in that angle, ie-electrical tape, alter that angle and the resultant honed edge, even if only slightly? Maybe even enough to significantly alter the shaving quality.

I don't know, but that doesn't seem the way a razor was meant to be honed.

Now, does that have any effect on stropping? Well, if the edge is not correctly honed to begin with (per the above), I'd contend that the subsequent stropping is a moot issue.

Just my very humble opinion of course.


Scott

Originally Posted by Soopercat

Does the x pattern change at all after honing a razor while taping the spine. I've had a razor that wouldn't take an edge no matter what I did (new bevel, different progressions, pyramid, pastes... So I decided to tape the spine and it worked. only challenge is that it seems a bit harsh even after stropping (without the tape, after .5 and .25 paste). Not sure if it's me just yet but don't want to break it down and start over just yet in case.

The "give" in the surface of the leather is enough to take up the difference of taping the spine.

.25 paste is a little harsh itself, have you gotten a smooth edge with it before? Try stropping on newspaper, I think it smooths out most any edge. Just fold it into a good size for a strop and place it on top of something sturdy, paddle strop, edge of a desk etc. and strop as you normally would for about 30 passes, do more if you want.

The stropping should be just fine if you used one or two pieces of tape and if you have a hanging strop that would be even better. The X pattern shouldn't effect your results too much.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

The "give" in the surface of the leather is enough to take up the difference of taping the spine.

.25 paste is a little harsh itself, have you gotten a smooth edge with it before? Try stropping on newspaper, I think it smooths out most any edge. Just fold it into a good size for a strop and place it on top of something sturdy, paddle strop, edge of a desk etc. and strop as you normally would for about 30 passes, do more if you want.

The stropping should be just fine if you used one or two pieces of tape and if you have a hanging strop that would be even better. The X pattern shouldn't effect your results too much.

I've used .25 on all my razors and have had excellent results to date. I will try the newspaper and see if it helps this particular razor. I have only ever used one piece of tape and my hanging strop, so the newspaper is a new wrinkle I will try. I will let you know how it works out.

Kind regards,

Originally Posted by honedright

Ok, I'll add my $0.02 here.

First off, taping the spine. I know electrical tape is very thin. But then so is the edge of a razor. Isn't the angle from the edge to the back of the razor specifically engineered by the razor makers so that the razor, when placed flat on a hone, rests with just the correct angle for honing?
And doesn't even the slightest change in that angle, ie-electrical tape, alter that angle and the resultant honed edge, even if only slightly? Maybe even enough to significantly alter the shaving quality.

I don't know, but that doesn't seem the way a razor was meant to be honed.

Now, does that have any effect on stropping? Well, if the edge is not correctly honed to begin with (per the above), I'd contend that the subsequent stropping is a moot issue.

Just my very humble opinion of course.


Scott

I wouldn't disagree with anything you've said. I would only add that this is a new "to me razor", so it could be the previous owner taped the spine to hone it originally. After trying to set a new bevel with my DMT (1200) then the Norton 4K, I resorted to the tape. With no spine warp as it passed the marker test, I couldn't justify (time and steel) another round of what amounted to filing away the spine.

Kind regards,

I've got a large Savage wedge that was honed for me by the seller (Dylandog aka Curtis), and he taped the spine. I asked him about stropping, and he said I could just strop as I would a nomral razor. That's what I've been doing, and it's my best shaver.

I am not sure if the same would be true regarding stropping with pastes, and as menitoned above, the .25 can leave a harsh edge. But since that harshness is due to the sharpness, I'd say you've had good results and should be able to get a more comfortable shave with some newspaper.

A good bit of stropping on plain leather should also help.

Let us know how it turns out.

Glad to hear you like the Savage holli4pirating. When I test-shaved with it before sending it to you I had a bout of seller's remorse. That razor has soul, and on top of that it just falls through a beard. Sometimes old sheffields just feel so damn smooth. I'd almost call it 'soft', but it's not that because they take a great edge.

There is definitely no need to use tape on a plain leather strop, even if the razor was taped throughout the honing process. Just ask Randy, one of the top, veteran honemeisters here, who tapes every single one of his razors throughout the entire process from bevel creation to final pastes.

Slightly anyway....

.25 paste is considered by many to be a harsh shave... My opinion is that some razors take that edge well and others don't..In general I use the .25 on German and American full hollows then strop on linen 50 laps and leather 100 before considering that edge shave ready.... I also agree with all the above in that newspaper stropping can tame down a harsh edge.....In fact the newspaper is a great tool on many edges...

Thanks for the newspaper tip! I think I'll be using that in the future. But in this particular razors case, it's the razor. For paste .5 "maybe" is as deepest I will be going in the future before stropping and shaving. This razor carries a wicked edge and will shave the barbed wire around the crown of my head all day. It just needed to be used for a few shaves before settling down.

In case you where wondering 7/8 Hugo Radar, just finished rescaling it.

Kind regards,