Thread: Can stropping by itself make a razor pass the HHT?

Originally Posted by alpinmack

I'm just wondering what the magic trick is. I can hone (Norton 4/8 K) and paddle strop (only 1.0 diamond at this point) my razor so that it cuts arm hairs really well but I just can't seem to get it HHT sharp. What is the deal? Will stropping make that much of a difference? Thanks.

You have two questions, with two answers:

First, the title of your post: "Can stropping by itself make a razor pass the HHT?". That leaves a wide open door - stropping can't take an ancient, pitted eBay special to shaving sharp, and there is a lot of degrees of sharp in between that need a hone to start with.

However, from the body of you post, it seems your primary question assumes a good honing base and wonders "Will stropping make that much of a difference?" Absolutely, with out a doubt, yes. I shave hairs from my arm with all my woodworking edge tools but they won't shave my face. There is still some distance between your very sharp honed edge and shaving sharp. Your pasted strop gets closer, but I suggest effective stropping on an unpasted strop takes it further. IMHO....and in my experience.

- Dale