Quote Originally Posted by randydance062449 View Post
The only goal is to have a shaving sharp edge. It really is of no material consequence if the included angle is 14 degrees,-15 or 17. So far there has been absolutely no one who has shown that the exact same angle is maintained by not using tape. To maintain the exact same angle the wear on the spine would have to be exactly proportionate to the wear on the width of the blade and I doubt that happens. Also, some guys have more force on the spine than the edge while honing and vice versa and that may vary while the same person is honing the same razor.
It is my guess that the angle becomes constantly steeper with honing irregardless if you use tape or not.

This argument has been going on for several years with no resolution.
Just make a choice and stick with it.
+ 1
Best concise discussion on this subject that I have seen!
In addition, most folks that I know are not capable of holding the razor within a one degree tolerance while shaving the face. Since you ideally hold the blade about 30 degrees off the face, the angle of the edge to the spine varying a degree or so is truly of little consequence.