Pasted strops can be used fairly regularly and the 1 micron and .5 (half) micron pasteswill do wonders restoring keenness to a razor thay is starting to pull even after being stropped on a plain strop. It removes very little metal so the longevity of a straight razor using pasted strops should last a long time. It is a judgement call as to how dull a razor is and the response of what level of sharpening it needs New razors are shave ready out of the box a small percentage of the time. (Like my T-I) The level of sharpness varies from just needs plain strop, need pasted then plain, or needs honing on a stone. With the honing it is a question of what level, 12K only or back to 8K or back to 4k grit to re-establish the edge. Used blades may need a trip on a 1000 or 1200 first and worked thru higher grits of coarse to finer and finer to re-establish the edge. Some razors have lived a long life and been honed many times and are still able to take an edge and give a good shave. If you are worried about shortening the life of your blade using these pastes, fear not! they should do well for a long time.

John in Covina