Thread: Paste Strop , Do I need One ?

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I am a firm believer in the Dovo white paste on the canvas/linen strop as part of daily maintenance.

It is much milder than CromeOx, it smooths out the weave of the canvas/linen while dramatically increasing the edge retention/refreshing abilities of the strop.

I was rather undecided about the canvas strop when I first started using it. Then I loaded it up with the Dovo white, and it all became clear. Really, it is fantastic stuff, and I'm surprised it isn't discussed more on the forums. All of the focus seems to be on ChromOx and diamond pastes(which are both indeed great stuff, but serve a different purpose)

Give it a try. If you don't like it (which I really doubt, if you are a fan of keeping your razors in top form...) then you can flip your linen/canvas strop to the other side and be back to where you were to begin with.

You're quite right Seraphim, Dovo white isn't discussed much. I was aware of it's abilities as a strop conditioner, but not much more than that. Now I might give it a try someday.

I might try the balsa paddle thing, I know Im eventually going to have to get into my own honing, it just seems like I need so many stones and there are a lot of different brands to chose from, if I could buy one stone that I could use for a touch up that would be great. Otherwise the balsa paddle or the paste strop will be the way to go for me . If say I rolled the edge of my razor while stropping would the pasted paddle fix it ? I think think a few times over the past few months I raised the spine of my razor up while stropping, does this automatically mean I rolled the edge?

You havent done anything that a good stropping or a barbers hone couldnt fix. If you have a truly shave ready razor all you will ever need to maintain it is a good strop and a good barber hone.

Originally Posted by Mike257

I might try the balsa paddle thing
Go for it Mike!
I know Im eventually going to have to get into my own honing, it just seems like I need so many stones and there are a lot of different brands to chose from, if I could buy one stone that I could use for a touch up that would be great.
That was my thinking when I started too, and that's all I have - for now. One coticule and a balsa paddle. If you're like me and want to maintain your personal razors and not get into full edge restorations on crappy e-bay specials than a minimum setup is all that's required.

If say I rolled the edge of my razor while stropping would the pasted paddle fix it?
Probably not, but as a last resort I'd strop the hell out of it first (linen and leather) and try some paste. It won't do any further harm

I think think a few times over the past few months I raised the spine of my razor up while stropping, does this automatically mean I rolled the edge?
Not necessarily. Try the TPT. Otherwise your face will tell you during the test shave. Just make sure you have another razor ready to go just in case

I hope this helps Mike. There were a couple times in the "early days" when I thought I'd rolled the edge (I was obsessive), and when it came time for the shave the razor performed really well. To date I have yet to roll an edge. Now excuse me while I find a piece of wood to knock on.

Ryan good answers , we are definitly on the same page. As far as me rolling the edge, I probally didnt do that because Im getting great shaves and all Im doing is stropping .

Kelly next time I see you , you 'll have to educate me on the barber stone , how to use it , where to get one ect...