Thread: hone then paste

Originally Posted by gary haywood

most people use some kind of finishing paste after there last hone.

I can easily shave of my hones. I still find that paste can and does add smoothness and can squeeze that bit more keeness out of a razor in most cases. My question is what differance do you guys find paste makes and why you use paste or why you would rather not use paste.
.....

Paste on a hanging strop or paste on a balsa hone?

I am of the opinion that a polish on the bevel is as important
as the set edge. I want the steel behind the edge that is in contact
with my face to "slide" and not push a little roll of skin that
then results in a nick.

The "slide" behind the edge is minimized by a good shaving soap/ lather
AND the polish behind the edge. IMO, Since the blade clears most of the soap
from the face the polish is key for me.

Since I do not have a bench full of finishing stones I use a pair of 0.5 diamond
and CrOxide balsa hones and also a year old breath of 0.5 diamond paste on the
canvas side of my strop. Note that my str8s are only as sharp as I like, no more.

By way of comparison a new "feather blade" is almost too sharp. Some would say
harsh. The second or third day is best for me and is how I like to hone/strop
my steel yet I seldom get it exactly right.

Each of us will be different....the EPA says your mileage will vary, and
I suspect your shave will also.