Originally Posted by
ShavedZombie
I wasn't quite sure where to put this...
So, here goes. My current plan is that my next purchase will be a TM Horsehide and Linen to complement my TM Red Latigo and Cotton... I will make the Cotton a pasted hanging strop, and use Linen -> Latigo -> Horsehide as my primary stropping rotation. Then, somewhere way further down the road, getting a TM Pasting Paddle Strop (I am quite fond of Mister Miller's products :D ) for my honing.
However... I have some questions.
Jeremy,
These are some really good questions.
1. What are the differences between a pasted hanging strop and, say, a barber's hone... Do either have advantages?
Both of these are used to MAINTAIN the edge. The barber's hone will give you a more overall reliable result than the hanging strop. Reason I think this is so is because the hanging strop introduces too many variables into its use. For instance: degree of tightness, condition of the surface, amount of material left after each usage. The barber's hone, however, is pretty much a constant known value.
On the other hand, if you were to use either one for some time, you would most likely product the exact same results with both.
2. Are Pasted Paddles really suitable replacements for Honing stones?
Pasted paddles are NOT a replacement for honing stones, except perhaps a barbers hone. The purpose of the pasted paddles is to maintain your razor between honings. When they are no longer effective, it is time to visit the hones.
3. Can someone please explain different pastes to me? I keep hearing about white, red, brown, CroOx, diamond dust, varying levels of "microns"... What does all this mean?
Pastes and dust are nothing more than ground up material, suspended in a medium so that it is suitable for our use whithout having to purchase an expensive stone to take its place.
I am not familure with the colored pastes but I am with crox and diamond sprays. Inexpensive crox is generally used for coloring paint. Its grit rating is somewhere around 15,000 grit and its purity is not all that great. The more expensive crox is guaranteed 99.9% pure and rated at 60,000 grit. After spending so much time in honing an edge, to what you think is absolute perfection, which one of these do you want to use to put the final polish on?
The diamond spray's were originally produced for use by knife makers to help put an edge on the super steels they now use. Exposing the high carbon steels, used in razors, has been a mixed bag for me. I have honed over 200 razors in the last few months, and because of mixed feedback, only use it when requested.
The lower the number, the finer the product.
4. Anyoen with this experience, I know the linen beats the cotton, but how much better is it, and why, in your opinion.
I was told a long time ago that these were used to warm up the edge before going to the leather, and I believe that is what it does.
that should be it. Thanks guys.
Also, if it plays any impact in the difference between Pasted strop and Barber's hone, I've gotten really good at honing, I pass the HHT 7.5/10 times if I'm giving the blade a quick practice stropping, and have yet to NOT pass the HHT after a focused, serious stropping. I practice. A lot.
Thanks for your time guys. Cheers,
Jeremy