Patent ID: 7570457

Claim:
A magnetic head, comprising: a rowbar substrate having a transducing surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge; a transducer row having at least one thin film transducer on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, the transducer row forming a portion of the transducing surface; a closure covering the transducer row on a side thereof opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, the closure forming a portion of the transducing surface; a trench formed in the transducing surface of the rowbar substrate, the trench having a first edge parallel to the substrate edge; and a wear zone defined on the transducing surface, the wear zone defined between the substrate edge and the first edge of the trench; wherein, during a wear-in period, the closure, the gap, and the wear zone acquire a bevel that extends to the first edge of the trench, upon formation of the bevel, a length of the bevel remaining constant as a recording tape is passed over the head resulting in a constant rate of wear of the head, the resultant constant head wear tuned to chase erosion of the gap resulting in reduced recession of the transducer row from the recording tape passing over the head.