Thread: DOVO sharpening paste

Just a word of warning to anyone overlooking the fact that these numbers apply to DOVO pastes. Do not judge all abrasive pastes by their color. For instance, I have a black paste from Keith at HandAmerican that is 1.8 micron and a green chromium oxide (same source) that is 0.5 micron.
FWIW,
Ed

Are pastes something that a person really needs, or are they a personal preference kind of thing? I'm starting to hone myself and was wondering if I need something other than the Norton 4K/8K or the various barber stones that I have.

Do most people use one vs. the other, or both? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I have done a fair amount of searching the archives and it so packed with information, it's actually easy to miss some things unless your prepared to spend a lot of time....

Thanks!

Chris,

I think you would find that you will get many various responces to this. I can only tell you what I have. I have a Norton 4k/8k a Japanese 12k and a flat leather hone that I use CrO2 .05 paste on. Do I need all of them I don't really know, some razors are fine coming off the Norton 8K others I like better after the whole deal. My advise start small and build as you find you need. Don't go crazy right away you will get there in time.

Originally Posted by RichZ

Chris,

I think you would find that you will get many various responces to this. I can only tell you what I have. I have a Norton 4k/8k a Japanese 12k and a flat leather hone that I use CrO2 .05 paste on. Do I need all of them I don't really know, some razors are fine coming off the Norton 8K others I like better after the whole deal. My advise start small and build as you find you need. Don't go crazy right away you will get there in time.

Thanks Rich,

I'm actually trying to figure out what I need to get a razor shave ready. If a Norton 4/8 and a finishing stone is all I need great. But, like many here, I'm sure I'll want more just because....

Crr,
You just hit the nail on the head. You don't really need one over the other. Many start with the Norton, many start with pastes and for each it is usually all they need. I didn't use a hone until 2 months ago. But, after a while you get board, read a few posts, and dang! you need the thing you don't have <g> Hmm, if the Norton gives this good an edge maybe I can make it better with pastes..........or you love the pastes and just have to know how a hone would do.

Pick one, learn it well then try something new.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Crr,
You just hit the nail on the head. You don't really need one over the other. Many start with the Norton, many start with pastes and for each it is usually all they need. I didn't use a hone until 2 months ago. But, after a while you get board, read a few posts, and dang! you need the thing you don't have <g> Hmm, if the Norton gives this good an edge maybe I can make it better with pastes..........or you love the pastes and just have to know how a hone would do.

Pick one, learn it well then try something new.

Tony

Thanks Tony for the reply. I have started to aquire some hones, so it looks like that will be the first stop on the HAD. Is there a Hone Acquisition Disorder?

If I'm infected with another disorder I may not survive.

Its great to have options. Pastes and strops are great when your starting out. Hones are great when you know how to hone. I think everyone should consider one strop or strop like object with one paste, like .5, I mean where do you find a hone at that grit? Its great to put that smooth edge on...need it? Probably not. I love having atleast one barber hone. For me its just like toys. I want another hone!

Corrected my post to explicitly state the "Dovo" pastes.
Sorry for the oversight.

hello everyone,
ive just bought my first straight and now im thinking about buying a 4 sided strop.
So im wondering how would a 4 sided stop with dovos green, red and black pastes compare to a strop with 3, 1, .5, diamond paste ? (4th side on both would be chrom. oxide). I dont have a hone yet but dont plan to restore razors, just want to maintain the edge of my current one. Could somebody who's used both recommend one ? maybe tony miller ? you said you owned both, but didnt tell us which are better...

oh, i forgot about the thiers issard paste... how does it compare to the diamond pastes and the dovo ?