Copied from Stropping forum

[pinklather]

I've avoided pastes & sprays, preferring the more purist pursuit of skills w/ the rocks. Recent input says this may be ill advised, so I'm trying to learn what can be had from them. I understand its easy to use them incorrectly & draw false conclusions. Any help on finding the best threads on the topic or good reference material is greatly appreciated. I'm looking at:
" p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } For reference, the softer the stropping surface the less the effect of the paste...

Felt
Webbing
Linen
Leather
Balsa
As you move through this list, IMHO you increase the possibility of getting a harsh edge..."


I'm hooked on smoothness, so that needs to be a priority. The questions:
a) can linen be adequately washed so that a previously used paste/spray is effectively gone, leaving a clean enough media for the next experimental slime.

b) I have some crayon crox already. and have looked at Josh Earl's thread about pasting a hanging leather strop. Is linen pasted the same way?
c) Is used slurry from a jnat still considered a good method to experiment with? Any techniques that work best?
d) If linen is not the hot tip, and smooth is still a priority - what other material would be recommended?

'Very much appreciate your kind help, Gents.

[Birnando]

I have used four of the five materials you list.
For smoothness I have found Cro on linen to be the very best, to me that is.
Actually, for a good period I used ,25micron Diamond spray on Felt first, then ,5 CrO on linen after.
My reasoning at the time was that the diamond was the last step in my honing progression, the CrO was mellowing it out a tad after honing.
I know It may sound weird, but it worked pretty good, and gave very keen smooth edges.

[pinklather]

Thank You, Birnando.

Have you been able to use the same linen for more than one spray/paste after a good washing?

[riooso]

I, personally, have never been able to properly clean and use a linen strop. Tried it twice, ruined them twice. I don't use pastes on linen strops. Using pastes for me consists of using hard felt pieces or applied to a leather 4 sided strop. I prefer the felt however because the pastes that I have been using cut very rapidly and felt just give a lot of control. The first time that I heard of stropping on felt was when Lynn wrote about it. It has worked out very well and I am going to stay with it for no other reason other than consistency. I only do about 4 or 5 laps and that is after I am done with the rocks and stropped about 40 or 50 times. Coming off a J-Nat I will forgo stropping and do 4 laps then s.h.a.v.e!

Try it you will like it,
Richard

[Birnando]

Thank You, Birnando.

Have you been able to use the same linen for more than one spray/paste after a good washing?

No Sir, I have not tried that yet.
I have an extra linen backing or two, so I'm definitely giving it a shot one day.
Let's hope someone who has done this chime in.
Surely someone must have tried?

[Maxi]

Pinklather,

I just posted this in another thread. I've lately been trying .5 diamond and hard felt on my razors. I quite like the feel. I've tried using it to refresh, and also coming off the hones. I like the feel i'm getting in both scenarios.

[pinklather]

I've had alot of guys speak of diamond spray as harsh, but w/ Glen's help - talking about what stropping platform tends towards smooth vs harsh, I'll likely get some spray. If nothing else, it'll be a fast route to Keen & I can smooth from there.

Thanks again.

[lz6]

I use natural linen with no additives. For touch ups or following honing I have a variety of materials to choose from. Two sided balsa strop one side with 0.5 diamond spray and the other side with 0.25 diamond spray. Another balsa strop with CrOx. Felts on SRD magnetic, again one with CrOx and another with diamond. Then it's on to a wide variety of leather strops.

[roughkype]

Hi Pink,

I've used .5 CrOx and .5 diamond spray on the SRD modular felt pads, and agree with all that the CrOx is smoother.

For experimenting, the modular strop is probably the way to go. You can get as many felt pads as you have pastes, and you can make your own magnetic-backed pads. I used a magnetic vent cover and some spray contact adhesive. Add some old denim and there you go.

As far as washing, the best bet would be to clamp the linen in that car-mat-holder clip at the car wash and blast it with the high-pressure spray. I know that works for greasy coal dust in coveralls.

[Alucard77]

hey I bought my strop from sRd and it came with a pressed wool side any ideas what to use