Thread: Felt Strop (try searching that for information!)

So, I ordered some crox and ceox from gratewhitehuntr, but immediately after, someone posted about more tubs of crox coming up for sale. So, I've got both.

I want to make a pasted paddle, but haven't decided on the material. From what I've seen so far, people are recommending the SRD Pressed Wool hanging strop. It looks real nice, but is out of my budget for now.

So, I'm a huge proponent of searching for answers that have already been posted. I search for felt strop. Hmm, not very specific.




So, question: Would any sort of "felt" (like craft type felt) be suitable for a pasted paddle, or should I just do denim or something like that?

We (read:me) are looking for a low-buck solution here.

Do a search for balsa. Guys get good results with that from what I hear though I haven't tried it myself.

I've tried a couple times to contact gratewhite about some of the cerium oxide, and have never heard back from him. Was it something I said?

Originally Posted by bassguy

I've tried a couple times to contact gratewhite about some of the cerium oxide, and have never heard back from him. Was it something I said?

Bad breath?

In all seriousness, I'd love some good reviews on cerium oxide. I have this place bookmarked in case I wanted to make my own combination paddle strop.
Stropping Supplies

Dave

Here is an idea mentioned by others that I have tried and like. Get a hold of some tempered glass strips or flat tile strips and stick paper tape to the surface. Then load the paper with CrO powder or mist it with diamond spray. Any paper surface might work, but the better first-aid tape like 3m micropore is very stable and won't shrink or wrinkle with room humidity changes.

that's pretty slick looking!
I have a hand american strop system that is similar: magnetic base that magnetized leather or pressed felt strip sticks to. I have some Chromium Ox I've been using on newspaper and tile, I'm holding out on the cerium to use on the felt strip...

Originally Posted by bassguy

I've tried a couple times to contact gratewhite about some of the cerium oxide, and have never heard back from him. Was it something I said?

Get in touch with him again -- I just ordered some cerium last night from him.

thanks, done and done.

So, I decided to just go for it. The paddle itself (inc. handle) is 30", the pasted surface is 24". I used black craft felt for the pasted surface, which I attached with 3m super77 spray adhesive.

I rubbed a VERY small amount of mineral oil into the entire felt surface, and LIGHTLY sprinkled the CrOx powder over the surface and rubbed it in (with gloves on) thoroughly.

After drying, I tried it out on a couple of my first razors, ones I had perhaps stropped improperly. They were no longer giving good shaves. After 15 laps on CrOx and 20 on leather, I was shocked by the improvement.

Took a dull-ish razor back to shave readiness (by my inexperienced standards)

I have about $17 in this setup (including the whole $15 tub of CrOx).

I would highly recommend this setup.

Pics will be up soon.

Originally Posted by slipangle

After drying, I tried it out on a couple of my first razors...

Sounds very promising! But, what dried? Did you apply it as paste, then powder?