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Hi I just got a jemico 18 inch russian tan leather strop. I was curious I was reading about people using diamond pastes and chromium oxide or pasted strops. I was wondering what the difference is between the three of these. And should I keep stropping on plain leather or would it be better to get one of these for my strop? Any help appreciated. Thanks
Personally I like to have a dedicated plain strop & linen and another option for paste or chrom ox. A paddle strop, balsa wood, hanging leather or canvas. I have one of the Hand American magnetic base flatbed hones with a magnetic felt with chrom ox. I also have a 4 sided paddle with diamond paste from Heirloom Strop Co and finally a Lynn Abrams Felt Hanging Strop with 0.5 diamond spray. The felt hanger from Straight Razor Designs is my favorite of the bunch right now. The balsa with chrom ox is your most reasonably priced of the fore mentioned if you want to dip your foot in the water before you dive in. That may be all that you find you need. There are tutorials in the SRP Wiki on paste and chrom ox and how to get started and use them.
Good questions.
"Pasted" is a general term which makes reference to anything applied to a strop. Traditionally there were and are "strop pastes" marketed as such. I think we've broadened the usage of that term here. Others may disagree.
I have diamond spray in .5 micron particle size. I also have .5 micron chromium oxide powder. The edges stropped using the chrome ox are more comfortable on my face than the .5 micron diamond spray.
particle size is only one half of the story; the particle shape and how it cuts steel makes a huge difference. Diamond cuts very aggressively and IMO makes for an aggressive edge that I prefer to tame with chrome ox.
Chris L
Most seem to agree that 0.5 micron chrome oxide is the most comfortable, as do I. Use it as one of the final steps in your honing routine. Use a dedicated strop/balsa for the paste as a touch-up tool (for occasional use). Use the plain leather for your normal stropping before each shave.