Thread: How do I apply paste?

I have a brand new paddle strop from Thiers Issard and some paste from them as well. Pictures attached.

The instructions that came with the strop say (EMPHASIS in the original):

We recommend that the user starts the stropping session by putting a VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF OUR PASTE on one leather surface. (ALWAYS PUT THE PASTE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STROP). After stropping the razor on this surface, turn the leather strop over and lubricate the other clean leather surface with the oil from the palm of your hand. Then finish strop your razor on this "clean" leather surface as a final stropping step.

Well, this leads me to a few questions!

1. Does this really mean to re-apply the paste every stropping session?
2. Does this really mean to strop with the pasted side every stropping session?
3. The instructions seem to imply it doesn't matter which side of the strop I paste but it seems I should only use the slightly rougher leather.
4. Precisely how do I apply the paste? Like using a crayon?
5. Should the paste cover the entire surface of the strop or should it just be a strip down the middle (as was applied to a beginners strop I bought from a dealer -- not just from a private person who may not have known what was best).
6. I also have chromium dioxide paste. Should I use that or the paste that came with the strop. I think it makes sense to use what came with the strop but thought I'd ask anyway while I am here!

OK, enough for now. Maybe some answers will set me straight or maybe pronpt more questions!

I know it must be easy and I am probably over analyzing things (I do that) but this is brand new, wasn't cheap, and I don't want to mess up with some bone-headed misstep.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Does this really mean to re-apply the paste every stropping session?
Does this really mean to strop with the pasted side every stropping session?
The instructions seem to imply it doesn't matter which side of the strop I paste but it seems I should only use the slightly rougher leather.
Precisely how do I apply the paste? Like using a crayon?
Should the paste cover the entire surface of the strop or should it just be a strip down the middle (as was applied to a beginners strop I bought from a dealer -- not just from a private person who may not have known what was best.
I also have chromium dioxide paste. Should I use that or the paste that came with the strop. I think it makes sense to use what came with the strop but thought I'd ask anyway while I am here!
OK, enough for now. Maybe some answers will set me straight or maybe pronpt more questions!

For starters here is a tutorial by Josh Earl. He used to post here when I first came around. I don't know which side would be the intended side. I would paste one side with one substance and save the other for either regular stropping or for another grit or type of paste.

I would only use the pasted side for specific reasons, not all the time and I wouldn't repaste unless I felt it necessary. I would probably use the TI paste on one side and the chrom ox on the other but I don't know the TI paste. Someone will be along who does.

The TI paste is about 1 micron, and works about like diamond of that size, though I believe it actually uses tin oxide as the abrasive.

Is this going to be your daily strop? If so then I'd probably opt for the chrome oxide on the second side and save the TI paste for something else.

You do not need to reapply the paste every time, nor do you need to use the pasted side every shave - only when you need a touch-up.

Whatever you decide to use, and I would agree with Mparker on the CrOx, make sure it is applied in a thin and even coating over the whole surface.

James.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Is this going to be your daily strop? If so then I'd probably opt for the chrome oxide on the second side and save the TI paste for something else.

I am not sure. I have a hanging strop from SRD. Actually a pair of strops, leather and fabric. I expected that to be my daily strop. I got the paddle strop because I heard that the use of a paste is best done with a paddle strop.

What I am trying to accomplish is the ability to maintain a shave-ready razor without having to send it in to be professionally honed very often. I also have a Swaty I picked up from eBay. I figure between all of that I ought to be able to do something right!

In summary, I have:

• SRD strop (pair: leather, fabric)
• two-sided paddle strop
• Swaty
• Cro2 paste
  
• Theirs paste
  

Another question -- do I need to "lap" the Swaty? If so do I need to buy another tool to do that?

If you've already got a hanger then go ahead and put both pastes on the paddle.

You should lap the swaty before trying to use it. But with the two pastes you won't need the swaty much if at all.

To apply the TI paste, just use it like a crayon, drawing diagonal stripes across the strop. Then smear it out with your fingers. For best results use as little as you can.

You can lap the hone with sandpaper. Buy the good stuff- Norton or 3m.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

You can lap the hone with sandpaper. Buy the good stuff- Norton or 3m.

Grit to use?

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Grit to use?

I see a lot of guys use 325. If it was a DMT they recommend that or the 220 grit for lapping waterstones. Be prepared to spend some time. My Swatys were tough. Under running water is best.

I use that paste on linen. What others said, less is more. One thin "X" worked just fine for me.