Originally Posted by
StraightRazorDave
I think honing with pastes only is completely possible, as long as you have the proper progression. But, since you're always sharping with spine leading strokes, you run the risk of creating a slightly convex bevel. This would depend entirely on the paste medium used, and the amount of give it has. If you use pastes on leather for the entire progression, I think you would round the edge since it has a bit of give to it (i.e. it's soft).
I know balsa is used for diamond pastes and chromium oxide, but I've only read referrence to it with fine pastes for finishing, not for coarser grit pastes. I don't see why it wouldn't work for coarser grits as well, but I haven't heard about it, so many others will comment on that!
I personally prefer honing with stones as opposed to with pasted strops, since I don't think the pasted-honed edge would be as durable. But that's just a personal preferrence.
So to get back to your initial question, yes I think it's totally possible to hone entirely with pastes. :) But I think you'll find you'll want to master the hones eventually. ;)