Thread: Why use a fabric side on a strop?

I am going to try 8.0 oz linen next and see how that compares.

If you want comfortable and close shaves, strop on linen. Does it make a difference? Heck yes.

But does it "put a wicked edge" on the blade?

mparker,

Do you use linen or cotton canvas? And what is AFAICT? I've got AFAIK down, but I'm stuck on the CT suffix, Doncha Know.

SLASFSLIMNSSA -- still lost at sea for so long I may never see shore again

I gotta start learning how to text, but then I'd have to get some thing to text upon. OK!! Another acquisition deficiency.

Both.

AFAICT is the indefinite form of AFAIK, = As Far As I Can Tell

So this seems to be a matter of opinion, but how pertinent is pasting a strop? When I did my initial research, I was under the impression that pasting a strop was a preference so that you didn't have to hone as often. However, I feel that most members who do hone also paste. Is pasting a necessity like stropping? Also, I just purchased a Tony Miller strop and don't want to paste the linen side if I don't have to. If I own a polishing stone, do I still need to paste?

Most have a pasted strop, an unpasted strop and a leather strop.

Others have a pasted strop, unpasted strop, Latigo and horsehide strop.

The combination is endless.

I had a pasted canvas strop until I made my own. Now I have a pasted paddle as part of my honing series.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

I would add that IMHO that my homemade canvas strop performs better when I rubbed colgate white shave soap into it.

There was just a night and day difference when I added that little bit of change.

No idea why.

Chalk. Try it.

I bought some CrO from ChrisL for $4 and spent another $4 or so on a block of balsa from a hobby shop. When my str8s start to pull a bit, I give them 5 laps on the CrO and they're shave ready again. It's quick, inexpensive, and it works. Eventually, the CrO won't refresh the blade and I'll have to touch it up on my Chinese 12k.

By having the CrO balsa strop, I can keep my linen strop unpasted for daily use. BTW, my linen has the black streak.

My linen strop also has a lot of black streaks - maybe I should be using toothpaste on it, it couldn't hurt to try, could it?