Thread: Stopping On Balsa or Newsprint?

What's the deal with stropping on balsa wood and newspaper?


Is there a guide or explanation anywhere about when, why, and how to do this?


In reading through the forums, I've seen some references to stropping on balsa wood with a paste, and stropping on newspaper. I suppose eventually I might put these tidbits together and figure out what is being talked about, but I was hoping there would be a more thorough explanation in one place.


I don't have a straight razor yet. I expect to get one soon though.

I have some sharpening stones I use for knives and chisels; and I typically finish them on a kitchen steel; and then I strop them on the back of a McGuire Nicholas 2" wide saddle leather construction worker belt, which does double-duty holding up my work pants.