Quote Originally Posted by Kees View Post
OK guys, I am going to walk on thin ice giving an opinion that goes against the ones above by respected senior members. I would buy an 8K or barber hone first. First a question: what is a 14000 strop? Does it have a 14K paste on it? Bench strop or hanging strop?
First, I think the jump up the grit ladder from 4 K to 14K is too high. I don't think that even the best quality leather strop can produce a shave-ready edge on a razor that came off a 4K. Not even after 1000 roundtrips. 2nd: you don't really need a leather strop IMHO (yes, I know, this is blasphemy to many members). For a long time I have shaved as an experiment using a linen strop only. Went really well.
So I would recommend an 8K first.

My 2 cts, YMMV.
Great points. I was wondering the same thing and I was also on the verge of saying he needs an 8K hone next since he was already using a felt, denim and raw leather belt. Maybe one of the others can expand on why they responded differently as I would really like to know. Maybe I can learn something.


Mike