Thread: Questions from an idiot

Do not stop the razor on the strop, ever. Keep it in forward motion and roll it as it moves forward. It should touch down again on the strop as you begin the return movement. Use light pressure at first. You can use a touch of pressure as you learn when and why to use extra pressure. Its a sign of a dull edge.

Please feel free to describe how you use .5 paste. If that alone dulls the razor then stop. But we can fix that too if we know more info.

Hone suction is a good thing, its simple cohesion between a smoothing bevel and the hone grit.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Do not stop the razor on the strop, ever. Keep it in forward motion and roll it as it moves forward. It should touch down again on the strop as you begin the return movement. Use light pressure at first. You can use a touch of pressure as you learn when and why to use extra pressure. Its a sign of a dull edge.

Please feel free to describe how you use .5 paste. If that alone dulls the razor then stop. But we can fix that too if we know more info.

Hone suction is a good thing, its simple cohesion between a smoothing bevel and the hone grit.

If I understand this right, I should be using fluid motion on the strop instead of a start/stop motion. I can't think of a good analogy but basically stropping should be one continuous motion. Am I understanding properly?

As to the paste: I'm not worried about that because I know it to be my problem alone. I use a pasted paddle that is narrow and I've never really gotten the hang of keeping a flat edge once part of the blade goes off the paddle. To compensate, I've discovered that I was applying too much pressure and dulling the blade. I will at sometime get a 3" bench hone from Tony but right now I'm happy shaving off the 8k of the Norton.

Thanks to everyone for helping me.

Originally Posted by steve

As to the paste: I'm not worried about that because I know it to be my problem alone. I use a pasted paddle that is narrow and I've never really gotten the hang of keeping a flat edge once part of the blade goes off the paddle.

Yeah the thin paddles are pretty tricky to use well. When you're ready to step up get a wide 2-sided paddle from Tony and put either boron carbide or 1 micron diamond on one side, and chrome oxide on the other. I'd actually recommend buying your own abrasive and pasting it yourself, simply because you're gonna have to repaste it eventually so you might as well have the stuff around.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Yeah the thin paddles are pretty tricky to use well. When you're ready to step up get a wide 2-sided paddle from Tony and put either boron carbide or 1 micron diamond on one side, and chrome oxide on the other. I'd actually recommend buying your own abrasive and pasting it yourself, simply because you're gonna have to repaste it eventually so you might as well have the stuff around.

I've been hearing good things on the chrome oxide. It seems to give a smoother edge over the diamond paste, from what I understand. Thanks for the idea !

CrO2 is DA BOMB!!!

Seriously, it gives very smooth edges on all the razors I have tried until now (I am a recent convert from 8K / Lithide / Swaty / Belgian - plan to try it on alll of my razors, eventually)

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by steve

If I understand this right, I should be using fluid motion on the strop instead of a start/stop motion. I can't think of a good analogy but basically stropping should be one continuous motion. Am I understanding properly?


Thanks to everyone for helping me.

Yes, thats correct. This is why your needing to return to the hone so often too probably. The second you stop your edge will dig into the leather and you'll be pulling it out of the leather sideways when you flip the blade.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Yes, thats correct. This is why your needing to return to the hone so often too probably. The second you stop your edge will dig into the leather and you'll be pulling it out of the leather sideways when you flip the blade.

You know, that makes such sense now that you explain it. I think we need a "Doh!!" smiley.