Thread: using apumice stone

wHAT IS THE PROPER way to use a pumice stone to remove nicks on a strop?

Well there is pumice and there is pumice so the question is what kind of pumice stone do you have? The one suitable for use on a strop is a light grey and very fine grained. They sell them on classic shaving. You just rub them against the strop but very lightly.

I used the cheap synthetic drugstore crap with good results.

I got mine on ebay. it was sold for use on strops it is light grey but the box says it is used for the skin. i know it is usable for shaving because the seller was a shaving store. What is the lather method?? Do rub lather into the strop and then use the pumice?? Will leaving lather on the strop be bad for it?? I think when used it earlier I actually removed some leather from the strop and I don't want to ruin it any further..

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I used the cheap synthetic drugstore crap with good results.

Wow - this thing disintegrates, Ilija! I think someone here warned against using it?

Originally Posted by matt

What is the lather method?? Do rub lather into the strop and then use the pumice?? Will leaving lather on the strop be bad for it?? I think when used it earlier I actually removed some leather from the strop and I don't want to ruin it any further..

I got mine at the Target Spa section for $2 or so. Yes, get stiff lather all over the strop and rub lightly. Works like a charm.

The CS stone - maybe I have to try it, but it's $4 or so, and I need to pay probably as much for shipping and then WAIT - this just bugs me.

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

Wow - this thing disintegrates, Ilija! I think someone here warned against using it?



I got mine at the Target Spa section for $2 or so. Yes, get stiff lather all over the strop and rub lightly. Works like a charm.

The CS stone - maybe I have to try it, but it's $4 or so, and I need to pay probably as much for shipping and then WAIT - this just bugs me.

Cheers
Ivo

So buy a Zowada razor while your at it!!

I know lots of people like the lather method so I will mention again that I cannot promise it is harmless to my paddles. On hanging strops I cannot imagine it doing permanent damage but I do worry about the glue/leather bond on any paddle if water is involved.


Tony

Ivo, it does leave abrasive crap in the area that I worked in, but I have a 1min method to take care of that problem:
1) Wipe down with a dry kleenex
2) Take a fresh paper towel, spray the strop with belvoir leather and tack cleaner (common saddlery item, easy on glue and doesn't disintegrate stitching) and clean
3) Take a fresh dry kleenex and give it another wipedown.
These 3 steps take less than a minute and the strop's squeeky clean and ready for conditioning... For that, I do it like this:
1) Just apply strop dressing or mink oil on the rubbed area and let it sit for an hour
2) Apply dressing over the whole strop and let sit for a day or so.

Shocking, Ilija!

I thought Canajuns are nutts on saving trees, reducing waste, etc.! And there you go with your Cleenex and paper towels, fresh ones, no less!

Let's hope nobody else sees this or you may risk some serious consequences

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by matt

I got mine on ebay. it was sold for use on strops it is light grey but the box says it is used for the skin. i know it is usable for shaving because the seller was a shaving store. What is the lather method?? Do rub lather into the strop and then use the pumice?? Will leaving lather on the strop be bad for it?? I think when used it earlier I actually removed some leather from the strop and I don't want to ruin it any further..

Well when you use an abrasive you will remove material This is what you are trying to achieve at least. Lather is used the same as oil on an oil stone. lather lubricates and holds the removed residue while you pumice, it also will contion your strop. Pressing hard or soft makes no difference when using a pumice stone, after all it can only cut so fast.

PuFF