Thread: Need the right sharping tools?

By sharping tools, I mean strops, paste etc. Now, although I would love to be a honemeister, I do not think I have the time, finances and abilities to become as good as Lynn and some of the pros on the SRP. However, I have a full plan to get the correct tools to keep them sharp between sending them out to get honed.

Now should I get a TM Pasted strop, pasted on 3 sides with leather to strop on the fourth side?

Do I get 3" Premium Strop with a canvas or cotton second strop along with a Norton 4K/8K

Do I do the 3" Premium Strop with the canvas or cotton second strop and just paste a side with CrO?

Recommendations, suggestions....anyone care for a mint?

There are a lot of ways to go, it really is up to you. I take it you don't have a strop whatsoever, so if you'd go the paddle route you may find it needs a bit more work for everyday stropping (compared to a hanging one) since it's smaller surface. But the stiffer backing does seem appealing in the sense that it may result in better strokes, so that fewer are needed to start with. (This is just a hypothesis as I have not used that more than once and don't have any empirical data. However one of our members bought my two paddle strops when he had problems with his hand and they worked better for him than a hanging one.)

As far as maintenance goes the same thing applies - many ways to do it to know which one works best for you you have to try them out and decide. Easier to just pick one and make it work. My first maintenance job was using a vintage thuringian on a Lynn honed dovo micarta. It was a small 1x5 hone and 5-6 strokes were all it took - it was almost like a magic since I didn't think the edge was even touching the stone well (in fact that's the proper way to hone at this stage).
The Norton is very consistent and straightforward as well.

Maintenance is much easier than honing in the first place, so I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thanks for the feedback. Actually, I do have a starter hanging strop, but was looking to preserve the edge quality for as long as is possible.
Would getting a TM Linen/ Leather Paddle strop and a 4k/8k work better for what I am wanting to do, opposed to a pasted 3/1 non sided strop?

thanks again

There many different ways of keeping the edge fresh between honing. The most cost efficient would be a single strop with cromium oxide or paste on one side, and plain leather on the other for daily stropping. It is simple and would get the job done. A coticule or barbers hone would be another choice. Jeremy-

Not looking for cost effective so much as most logical solution. Logical using the criteria of someone that has every intention of keeping honemeisters employeed, but also understanding the time necessary to really develop a good stroping technique. I have every belief that I will ding an edge, strop a razor incorrectly (or continue too) and opposed to sending it out everytime to get it honed again, I was looking to straighten the edge, knock the rust off, or keep it sharper longer once honed correctly.

in my opinion pasted strop can only fix slight dulling of the blade. for a rolled edge you probably want a hone, and for chips you should probably send it out, at least initially.

i think you're expecting too many disasters. some people with a lot more experience than me have posted that most improper stropping can be fixed with subsequent proper one.

i don't think there's dramatic difference in edge durability among various strops either, i don't see any reason for it. it's fairly straightforward process - you rub off some steel from the sides of the edge, so that it can be sharp again.

there just isn't a simple recommendation if that's what you're looking for, it's got to be a choice you make, and even if you think you made the best possible one that's not going to be the case, because you lack the experience to determine what 'best' is for you. it's a catch-22, so no need to worry too much.

of course, read as much as you can and pay attention mostly to what the guys with a lot of experience say.

Assuming you have your stropping technique mastered you might upgrade with a better strop and pick up some chrom ox from Chris L in the classifieds here. Paste your starter strop with the chrom ox and only use it when the edge needs refreshing. Or get the chrom ox and some balsa wood and make a flat hone. Here is one post describing it with a link to another. The second post by Slartibartfast has photos and details.

You could buy a barber hone but it will need to be flattened. That is a lot of work but it is something you could do yourself if you wanted to take the time. The Norton 4/8 is a great stone IME but if you don't have the time or the inclination to learn to hone your own I think it would be a waste of money for you. Same with the barber hone really.

Thanks for the feedback. I think what I may do is get a Latigo and linen paddle strop and take my starter strop and paste the back of it with CrOx. Live and learn then the minute I get the opprotunity pick up a Norton and DTC8XX.

Thanks for all your help...

I remember another member , who when they fist started shaving with a straight , said they had no intrest in honing . Now , he not only hones his own razors but also sells shave ready razors , and natural Japanese hones . If you are still shaving with a straight 6 months from now , you will either already have a hone , or be looking for one .

Do not get me started.....I already have an addictive personality. 45 DE's, 4 brushes, more creams and colognes than a French hooker and I am talking with RW about getting on his list.
I think the straight thing is starting to take its hold