Thread: Pasted strop for finishing

So, using only the 4k/8k, I've successfully honed a very nice used Solingen razor that I got a few months ago. It shaves quite nicely but leaves just a little to be desired on the second pass, especially going against the grain under my chin.

I've been wondering what the best way to get more bang for my buck is...and I think that I'd like to get one of Tony Miller's paddle strops along with some sharpening pastes.

What do you guys think? Will a pasted strop do the trick? What grits should I use for finishing the razor?

-Kyle

I'd get the wide paddle with 1 micron and 0.5 micron pastes, although my real preference is for the boron carbide and chromium oxide pastes from handamerican which deliver a smoother-feeling edge than the diamond pastes IMO.

Personally, I'm not a pasted strop kind of guy so my recommendation is to get a 12K hone or higher.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Personally, I'm not a pasted strop kind of guy so my recommendation is to get a 12K hone or higher.

Any ideas for hones to look for or to avoid? I would really like to keep this purchase under $50.

Any particular reasons as to what you prefer about the finer grit hones as opposed to the pasted strops?

I have both options in spades. My conclusion is that the finsih level hones are a luxury and the pasted paddle strops are a necessity. Go with whatever floats your boat but you will eventually buy the abrasive pasted paddle strop. At a minimum get the 0.5 micron abrasive.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I have both options in spades. My conclusion is that the finsih level hones are a luxury and the pasted paddle strops are a necessity. Go with whatever floats your boat but you will eventually buy the abrasive pasted paddle strop. At a minimum get the 0.5 micron abrasive.

Sounds good...after using the 4k/8k, what paste should I go to? I'm not sure whether I should get the four-sided or two-sided paddle strop. The decision hinges on what grits I use, I guess. mparker suggested using the 1.0 and .5 micron pastes...and I'm just wondering whether the .25 micron paste would be a good (necessary?) addition, too.

What do you think about pastes greater than 1.0 micron?

Thanks for the help!

-Kyle

BTW, my 4 sided padles just got a little wider. I contracted with a local fabricator toy mill my paddle blanks 1 3/4" wide now to give just a little more width. Anything wider in a 4 side really adds weight and cost as it would take special rough boards to yield a full 2" width.

The change should take place in a day or so on new orders.

Tony

I use the 0.25µ Diamond on tan leather after 0.5µ Chromium Oxide on brushed leather, but very sparingly. I'd say don't worry about the 0.25µ right now. Add it later if you feel you need more. I don't use 1µ. I use a 12k waterstone insted and that very sparingly too.

X

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

BTW, my 4 sided padles just got a little wider. I contracted with a local fabricator toy mill my paddle blanks 1 3/4" wide now to give just a little more width. Anything wider in a 4 side really adds weight and cost as it would take special rough boards to yield a full 2" width.

The change should take place in a day or so on new orders.

Tony

Nice, that sounds great. My other question for you is whether you put the red latigo leather on a paddle that would have two sides of balsa and one of the tan leather...it doesn't look like it from your site, but I figure there's no harm in asking

-Kyle

Originally Posted by xman

I use the 0.25µ Diamond on tan leather after 0.5µ Chromium Oxide on brushed leather, but very sparingly. I'd say don't worry about the 0.25µ right now. Add it later if you feel you need more. I don't use 1µ. I use a 12k waterstone insted and that very sparingly too.

X

haha, I get the feeling that honing/stropping methods are as unique as fingerpints!!

I guess it's probably not so important as to exactly what method you choose as long as you go after it with confidence...kind of like putting in golf...

-Kyle