Thread: Stropping Paste??

I have seen this advertised on some websites and mentioned here on some threads. Do Strops need to be dressed with pastes now and then?

I have been dry stropping my razor (I only started about two months ago), only found you guys about 10 days ago.

I know I should have looked before I lept, I did't know that even straight razor shaving may have advanced.

I did a search on past posts... did not produce much.

should one paste his Strop now and again? or the Linen strop??

Or what? I am the only person I know that shaves, or wants to shave witha straight razor

oohhh you are not alone!
Everyone here shaves with a straight razor. And, no, you're not nuts! (in case you were wondering)

You're asking a pretty big question tough. Everyone has their preferences, and different stropping pastes do slightly different things to the edge qualities.

Pastes are generally used to maintain the edge of a well honed razor that has lost it's keenness. A common recommendation is to use it about once a month.

My understanding is, once you paste a strop, it's forever. You can't get the paste out, so choose your strop carefully. I use an old vintage strop that's in kinda rough shape for ChromiumOxide and CeriumOxide, and a dedicated paddle strop treated the same way.

I'm sure that more experienced gents will jump in right away.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by groundrush

I have seen this advertised on some websites and mentioned here on some threads. Do Strops need to be dressed with pastes now and then?

I have been dry stropping my razor (I only started about two months ago), only found you guys about 10 days ago.

I know I should have looked before I lept, I did't know that even straight razor shaving may have advanced.

I did a search on past posts... did not produce much.

should one paste his Strop now and again? or the Linen strop??

Or what? I am the only person I know that shaves, or wants to shave witha straight razor

I think the general consensus is that you should not paste your "daily strop." You should probably purchase a two or four sided paddle strop to use pastes on.

strop paste is for touching up razors when normal stropping is no longer enough

so do not use that on your dayly strop

groundrush,

Good question...

At this point, you have no need to paste your strop. You've only been stropping, and I assume shaving with, a straight razor for two months. I would wait six months or so.

When you do decide to paste your strop, don't use your everyday strop. Get another, cheaper, leather strop and paste it. Or you can upgrade to a newer everyday leather strop and use your old strop for pastes. You only need to use your pasted strop every six months or so to help maintain the edge on your razor and extend its life before honing it again after about a year.

Another option is to get a modular paddle strop from Straight Razor Designs and use it for your paste.

There is a video posted here in the SRP wiki, I believe that shows how to paste a strop. You don't need to use a lot of paste. A little goes a long way.

Thank you for your reply. Somehow, I always thought of straight razor shaving as being back in the 1870's... LOL

I am eager to learn... after all, my face is a quick learner.

What is it with the paste?

I have no problem owning a few strop/linen combos, various uses... I don't know... you guys tell me. I saw a video where Lynn must have had six strops hanging from a rail, so I assume there are various strops for various needs.

Do you put the paste on the leather, or the linen side? And how do you work it??

Please instruct one that wants to know.

I hear diamond spray is the best abd no need to rub in if any..I was also recommended to use it about 2x a year or when u know yer blade lost it's edge

Pcdad

Here's where I"m at at the 6 month point. I've got canvas strops pasted with Dovo's Red and Black Paste. Canvas with CrOx and CeOx. A canvas with SRD's green CrOx stick; vintage leather treated with CrOx and CeOx and a paddle trop with Crox and Cex.

What do I actually use?

The paddle strop. And clean plain leather. Everything else was a waste of time, $, and effort. I just re-hone,(for fun) and use the paddle strop in the progression, and use clean leather daily. This is just where I'm at though... you may find a set up you like, but you'll need to try a few different things before you figure out what works for ya.

Originally Posted by groundrush

Thank you for your reply. Somehow, I always thought of straight razor shaving as being back in the 1870's... LOL

I am eager to learn... after all, my face is a quick learner.

What is it with the paste?

I have no problem owning a few strop/linen combos, various uses... I don't know... you guys tell me. I saw a video where Lynn must have had six strops hanging from a rail, so I assume there are various strops for various needs.

Do you put the paste on the leather, or the linen side? And how do you work it??

Please instruct one that wants to know.

Put the paste on the leather. You can place diamond spray on the linen or felt.

As I noted previously...You really don't need to worry about pasting a strop or using diamond spray at this point. That's several months away.

For now, focus on your stropping and the blade angle on your face when shaving.

BTW...I've been straight razor shaving since last December and all the strops I have a red latigo for everyday use and a diamond sprayed (on the felt) SRD paddle strop. I've only used the latter three times so far on three different razors.

Keep it simple a nice Latigo 3" canvas/leather strop combo will do well..if u wanna keep yer lather from drying I feel a shave scuttle also from SRD works very well

GL
Pcdad