Thread: Strop paste

Do you have to use strop paste? So far I have been doing it without.

No. A lot of people never use it. It is just a way to get a little more life out of your edge before it needs to be honed, or just to add that little extra after you hone. A new shave ready razor should not get to that point for a very long time if you use it correctly. It really should not be used at all if you have a new shave ready razor. Sometimes it can do more harm than good.

Are you talking about strop dressing to condition the strop or razor touch up pastes? As for dressing I haven't used it yet on my strop I usually just rub my hand over it before I strop and for touch up pastes it is nice when stropping doesn't seem to want to work anymore so you don't have to take a razor to stones as often.

Hi pbsd,

Many use it after honing to further refine the edge and make a more smooth and comfortable shave.

Others use it to refresh an edge when it begins to pull or tug instead of going back to the hones.

I use it mainly after honing, but once in awhile I'll also refresh a razor too. I generally, though, go back to a finishing hone for touchups, but crox will do the job if the blade isn't too far gone.

Until you take on honing and get consistent results, crox is a good way to keep your razor going, but it's best to try and not use it too often. Try to maintain your razor with your regular strop.

If your asking, should you apply it to your daily maintenance strop as part of your regular maintenance, NO!

Regards,
Howard

I'll echo what SirStropalot said above.

Before I learnt to hone I thought I'd take the route of a 4 sided strop with 4 diamond pastes to refresh my razors. It seemed to work but I was still hankering after some stones.

I've now got some hones. I've not touched that pasted strop and mainly use a 2 sided strop: Invisible Edge Products with crox on one side. This works a treat.

Thanks! When a new edge starts to pull
Should you put it on a finishing stone, or drop it
down and work my way up?

Originally Posted by pbsd

Thanks! When a new edge starts to pull
Should you put it on a finishing stone, or drop it
down and work my way up?

finishing stone or barber's hone or if you have decided on a paste routine the finest paste you have.

YMMV,
jim

At that point a finishing stone used lightly is perfect.

Originally Posted by pbsd

Thanks! When a new edge starts to pull
Should you put it on a finishing stone, or drop it
down and work my way up?

Examine the bevel and see what it needs. A slight pull in itself doesn't justify much honing. If there are no nicks, chips, rust, or other defects you should be able to bring it back with just the finishing hone.
A jewelers loup or a magnifier of some sort will help a lot.