When I saw the title of this thread I thought of Supreme Court Justice Powell being asked how to identify pornography.... he said,"I know it when I see it." :) If I recall that thread on wedges Joed mentioned I believe someone was thinking that in the old days the honemiesters may have lifted the spine off of the hone when sharpening the meat choppers. Sort of like sharpening a knife but with a shallower angle. There was also the theory of Glen's that there may have been a removable guard to protect the spine in those days before electrical tape. I swore by the tape when I began and I am glad that I did. At that time I probably did many more laps on a blade then necessary due to inexperience. Now I believe I am far enough along to hone without tape without fear of causing excessive and/or incorrect hone wear and I am considering it.