Thread: questions about pasted strop

1. can u use the strop say after each 5th of 6th shave without damage to the razor?

2. do you have to apply paste again, or can u use what is remaining on the board after the first stropping? how can u tell when it is time to reapply the paste?

sam

Originally Posted by finsfan

1. can u use the strop say after each 5th of 6th shave without damage to the razor?

2. do you have to apply paste again, or can u use what is remaining on the board after the first stropping? how can u tell when it is time to reapply the paste?

sam

Hi Sam .....

1. Unless you start off with a not quite keen razor each time, going back to the paste is more like a once-every-month-or-two event. If the razor is keen to start with, and you strop it carefully prior to each use on plain leather, and you are protective of the edge drying it and moving it about, the edge will stay keen perhaps one to several months. This depends on so many factors, including the steel of the razor to begin with, and your genetic disposition to scouring-pad-whiskers if that be the case.

2. Paste needs to be applied sparingly. Too little is better than too much. Otherwise the razor moves badly on the strop and accumulates paste as it travels, raising the edge off the leather. Cleaning off too much paste is a pain. That being said, only reapply the paste when it becomes really obvious it needs to be done. Then do so with reluctance. You don't need a solid, wall-to-wall color on the leather to have the paste be effective.

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

I put a few of my leather paddle strops on ebay this week. $14.95 Buy It Now.
Seller name heirphoto

Tony