How many strops?

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06-29-2006, 12:43 PM
matei

How many strops?

Hello all!

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but how many strops does one need?

For example, I have a hanging strop (about 3" wide), leather one side, linen the other. My Dovo straight has lost its edge, so I have ordered a Norton 4k/8k to bring it back (I also plan on using it to keep my wife's Henckel knives sharp).

About the Dovo - I had it honed at the local "old time" barbershop in Dublin, where they specialise in straight razor shaves. It worked well for a time, and the edge could somewhat be regained with stropping. However it now pulls and has rendered any straight shaving impossible.

Is my one strop enough, or should I invest in a 2 or 4 sided pasted strop?

Thanks!
06-29-2006, 01:09 PM
FiReSTaRT

Welcome to the SRP. Razors have to be honed after every 10-15 shaves (ballpark figure) but those are generally just light touchups. Pasted paddle strops are good for that but you can also do it with a Norton and/or a fine finishing hone. The hanging strop just aligns the edge, doesn't sharpen it as it doesn't remove any metal.

Short answer: Get a 4-sided paddle strop (with the apropriate pastes) if you can't seem to get the hang of honing.
06-29-2006, 05:32 PM
RichZ

I would also recommend a four sided paddle strop. Tony Miller sells them at http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/ I would highly recommend his strops they are terrific. The four sided stris really nice for touchups.
06-29-2006, 06:33 PM
gfoster

I have both a hanging and a paddle strop (pasted). I use the hanging strop daily and the paddle strop to touch things up or to take with me when I am away from home.

-- Gary F.
06-29-2006, 08:08 PM
garythepenman

I've got a 3" haning strop for daily use, a 2 sided pasted paddle (1 and 0.5 micron)for a tickle up and a Jap 6000 waterstone. That's all I need to keep mine sharp enough.

I do use 1500 grit wet and dry sometimes to restore an old edge before using the waterstone. I just cut a strip and lay it on the stone.

Gary
06-29-2006, 10:07 PM
Flanny

Depends on your personality and what works for you.

Mostly, one hanging strop for daily stropping.

If your razor looses it's edge faster than you like then add a pasted strop if you're not comfortable doing touch up hones.

If you like different types of strops or like a change of pace get a few different types.
06-30-2006, 08:55 AM
ToxIk

One strop should be all you need for daily stropping. Can't hurt to have more though... errr, actually, it hurts the wallet :p

I have both a Norton 4k/8k and a pasted paddle strop (with 3µ, 1µ, 0.5µ, 0.25µ pastes) from Tony Miller, but I find the paddle strop much more convenient for refreshing a blade when it isn't performing up to par. The Norton (4k side) requires some soaking, so, it takes longer; and, being a water stone, is on the messy side compared to the paddle strop. Additionally, since my paddle has 0.5µ and 0.25µ pastes, I find that I can get a keener edge off of it than the norton.

Nothing wrong with using a norton to keep your wife's henckel's knives sharp. I personaly finish my kitchens knives on a 1000grit stone, maybe/occasionaly the 4000. I personaly find that it feels better when the knives have a bit more of that bite than when I finish them with the high grits. I do however use the higher grits on filet knives. Just my 2cents on that matter.
07-01-2006, 02:58 AM
RichZ

ToxIk,

Agree with you 100% I have pretty much what you have plus a 12k stone. I love the pasted paddle strop the best though.:cool:
07-01-2006, 03:28 AM
cyrano138

what do you mean by soaking? i thought you could just put water on it and go to town.
07-01-2006, 03:30 AM
RichZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyrano138

what do you mean by soaking? i thought you could just put water on it and go to town.

The water stones need to be soaked at least 10 min. before using them.
07-01-2006, 04:50 AM
cyrano138

good to know. thanks.
07-01-2006, 08:46 AM
ToxIk

Quote:

The 220, 1000 and 4000 grit stones need to be filled with water to cut efficiently. Water also flushes away metal particles, prventing the surface of the waterstone from becoming clogged. This keeps a fresh, sharp cutting surface at all times. Immerse the stones in water for 10 minutes prior to use and keep the stone surface wet during sharpening. The 8000 grit polishing stone needs only a splash of water on the surface to cut properly; soaking is not necessary

Straight from the norton waterstones user's guide that came with my Norton 4k/8k.
07-01-2006, 02:14 PM
RichZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToxIk

Straight from the norton waterstones user's guide that came with my Norton 4k/8k.

Yeah but if you have a combo stone 4k/8k then you will need to soak it.
I have mine in a plastic container with water so it is ready at all times.:D
07-02-2006, 04:09 PM
FiReSTaRT

Coticule also doesn't need to be soaked and Japanese slipstones only need about 3min of soaking. They're all different and I love them all :D
07-02-2006, 05:27 PM
LX_Emergency

I got one strop and a coticule. Works for me.
07-02-2006, 08:27 PM
rtaylor61

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichZ

The water stones need to be soaked at least 10 min. before using them.

Rich, since you store your water stones IN water, how much bleach do you add to the water for purification?

RT
07-03-2006, 03:12 AM
RichZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Rich, since you store your water stones IN water, how much bleach do you add to the water for purification?

RT

I put like two capfulls of bleach in and so far no problem.
I want to add that since I bought Tony's pasted paddle strop I haven't used the Norton at all.