Thread: Do you use synthetics but are opposed to pastes?

not apposed to any of the options open to us in our fine sport as the variance of options is part of the fun
but personally it is about the dollars v's numbers to achieve the same polishing of the edge & feel on my face

I go to 16k on hones
then a pasted balsa paddle

Chrox 0.3 microns = about 50k - up front cost <$10
Ferrox 0.1 microns = about 150k- up front cost <$10

Gok is only 20K - up front cost >$250

Note I have not shaved of a Gok 20K so can not compare it to justify it.

I also understand the reasoning behind not using pastes and only stones

the key thing to remember is both remove metal

but the stones will (or should) always leave a flat crisp end due to the forward stroke on a hard substrate
where as a paste can convex the edge due to the backwards stropping stokes, and this is magnified extremely when using a pasted strop due to the flexible substrate

as always YMMV

I doubt the direction of the stroke has anything to do with it. Just that the strop gives and the stone doesn't (unless you push really hard).

Stropping, be it on a pasted strop or plain leather will always create a micro-convexing of the bevel of some sorts. This micro-convexing is what adds to the keenness of the edge.

In my view, it is that micro-bevel that matters more than how shiney the bevel faces are made by the hyped synthetic "hone du jour".

Having said this, I wonder whether one can truly notice a difference between a razor that is finished up to around an 8k-10k level followed by a pasted strop vs a razor that has been honed on a 7 hone progression to 30k, 50k or whatever the new Olympic record is.

I won't always use a pasted strop, but I find some razors truly benefit from additional micro-convexing, namely heavy grinds.

For centuries, razors have been finished with whatever regional finishing stone is available and pasted strops.

Less is more, ymmv and all that jazz.

Originally Posted by Badgister

Less is more, ymmv and all that jazz.

Personally, I think all of that politically correct nonsense is getting us absolutely nowhere.

You told the truth, plain and simple. No YMMV. It is like it is.

And you are absolutely right. Thanks for speaking up. It's greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Badgister

Stropping, be it on a pasted strop or plain leather will always create a micro-convexing of the bevel of some sorts. This micro-convexing is what adds to the keenness of the edge.

In my view, it is that micro-bevel that matters more than how shiney the bevel faces are made by the hyped synthetic "hone du jour".

Having said this, I wonder whether one can truly notice a difference between a razor that is finished up to around an 8k-10k level followed by a pasted strop vs a razor that has been honed on a 7 hone progression to 30k, 50k or whatever the new Olympic record is.

I won't always use a pasted strop, but I find some razors truly benefit from additional micro-convexing, namely heavy grinds.

For centuries, razors have been finished with whatever regional finishing stone is available and pasted strops.

Less is more, ymmv and all that jazz.

Since you linked to a blog called "science of sharp", do you know who the author is? I couldn't seem to find a name associated to the author.

Todd Simpson, as stated in a previous thread

Thank you Badgister,,, as in the previous thread you linked http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ne-seen-2.html ,, I will stick to my response in post # 13 in that thread:

"Thank you for the response to my question.
I just have a bug up my a$$ with anyone who posts information/research on a topic & does not put his identity to his work. Whenever I attend a class of instruction on any subject, I want to know who is teaching me & his/her background in the subject.
Whenever I teach one of the few subjects that I have knowledge on, my audience will know all about me before the first instruction." Hirlau- John Corley South Florida

I used pastes a little when I joined this site and discovered all the options available. I remember they definitely improved the edges I had and I never questioned their appropriateness in the sharpening progression. But I like simplicity and decided for me they were too messy, lol, so decided to stick to just using hones and unpasted strops.
I found synthetic stones gave me much sharper edges than naturals, and for a long time enjoyed using them, but I noticed although the shaves were often closer they left parts of my face a little red even though I used the lightest pressure when shaving.
I changed to finishing on a few naturals and noticed the redness disappeared.
At the moment I use the coticule because it gives a sharp yet durable edge which doesn't cause any irritation (which I think is preferable for me who uses the same razor most days) , plus I like the simplicity of using one stone well.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Thank you Badgister,,, as in the previous thread you linked http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ne-seen-2.html ,, I will stick to my response in post # 13 in that thread:

"Thank you for the response to my question.
I just have a bug up my a$$ with anyone who posts information/research on a topic & does not put his identity to his work. Whenever I attend a class of instruction on any subject, I want to know who is teaching me & his/her background in the subject.
Whenever I teach one of the few subjects that I have knowledge on, my audience will know all about me before the first instruction." Hirlau- John Corley South Florida

I may be wrong, but I get the impression it is more of a hobbyist blog and not something for peer review.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I may be wrong, but I get the impression it is more of a hobbyist blog and not something for peer review.

That could very well be.
I just don't understand the mindset that constructs a blog( not necessarily this one in question, as I have seen many anonymous blogs on many different topics) and does not identify him or herself. I think that is the reason God created dairies, isn't it,,