Thread: Pasted Strops - Linen or leather side?

I've read and searched many posts related to pasting strops and the different pastes that can be used for touch-ups. One aspect I haven't been able to get a good handle on is what surface do I paste, the linen or the leather? I have an IRS #127 (unpasted), but would like to get another strop dedicated for pasting, and I am not sure what differences exist between pasting the leather or the linen. Does it depend on the abrasiveness of the paste?

I am certainly not an expert on the subject, but I pasted by old Dovo strop with green on the linen and red on the leather side. The rationale being that since linen is a light abrasive in itself, I'd apply the more abrasive paste to it.

Depends on paste. Most likely 99% you will need to use linen side.

Pasted strops are I think a little of a personal preference choice as well. I think flat surfaces paste better, so if you had a heavy weave linen I would leave that plain. If the surface is smooth, you could paste it. Most leathers can be pasted but I think again the smooth side is the way to go. The choice of the paste is a big area of choice as well. Chalk paste works on linen but sort of leaves a mess on the razor, I wipe off the razor after I use it on any pasted surface. Hard felt is a good surface to paste and straight razor design has a good one.

One of the well versed members may give you some better choices, but these are some things to consider.

Crom

yes there is a difference, but i don't think at this point you should worry about it. there are more important factors that will be dominating, e.g. how much paste you put and how you're using it, i.e. on a flat surface or hanging, how much pressure you use when stropping....

It doesn't necessarily depend on the abrasiveness of the paste but more on what you find you like the best. I use 3.0, 1.0 and 0.5 diamond paste on a 4 sided leather paddle & one of those sides chrome ox, 0.5 diamond spray on an SRD felt hanger, a Hand American flatbed with chrom ox on felt. Any of those are good options IME.

I remember one of my old barber friends years ago using a white paste on linen but he would also occasionaly put a paste of some kind on his leather. The label IIRC said 'strop dressing'. I recall him saying that he used it very sparingly whatever it was.

Like you I prefer my daily driver to be untreated leather and linen.

Get a 4 sided paddle strop to paste instead. You will thank yourself later.

Pabster

Thanks for the input guys. After a month I am getting pretty comfortable with the hanging strop, so I'm going to stick with that for a while (as opposed to the paddle for right now). I still need to get at least an 8k hone, but am saving up for it. In the mean time, I need something to help keep a decent edge on my daily razors. I've got an older leather/canvas strop laying around that I can crox, so I don't mind experimenting a little; just wanted to get input from the pros.

Thanks!

One disadvantage for me in pasting my strops is that I didn't (don't?) know what I was doing, and didn't even know what paste I would eventually want to use. And, once the paste is on the strop, it's there. For that reason, I am currently using unpasted linen and leather strops. When using pastes, I am using balsa wood, 3 inch by 3 feet sections, cut in halves of 1.5 feet, bought at a hobby store. (About $3.) I'm not anchoring the balsa to anything; just using as is.

I don't think this is the best way to go in the long run. But, for a month or two while you get used to the pastes, and until you know more about what your eventual pattern will be, might be something to consider.

Originally Posted by Pabster

Get a 4 sided paddle strop to paste instead. You will thank yourself later.

Pabster

but you got to tell me why
mh