Thread: Newspaper strop

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've gotten smooth and comfortable shaves with razors that did the HHT and with razors that didn't . It is not a prerequisite IME. If you hone your razor and try the HHT and it passes all well and good. If it does not pass but shaves smoothly and comfortably what is the point of worrying about something that serves no purpose ? The smooth comfortable shave is what we are after and if the razor is giving that the HHT becomes superfluous IMO.

Thanks alot i will remember that

Cheers

Originally Posted by LarryP

So what I'm hearing is that newspaper stropping will give a finer finish on the blade than a leather strop. Or is NP stropping a way to bring back a somewhat muddled edge before leather stropping?

Larry,

I'm brand new to straight shaving, but what I have gathered from the forum is that news paper is more abrasive than leather. So, my guess is to finish with leather before going to your face. Perhaps somebody with more knowledge/experience will chime in.

Eric

I'm just echoing an unpopular contributor, but have recommended the NP stropping for several that have had great results. This is for guys that don't yet hone. The big thing w/ the NP strop is the hard backing - such as a hone, plate glass, polished marble tile. I couldn't see any benefit after 70 strokes w/ very light pressure. Larryp asks about linen/leather after the newsprint. YES! After NP, go to a heavy use of linen and leather. I went to either the SRD P1 cotton (treated w/ starch and blackboard chalk - thank you Glen!), or real flax-fiber linen. Then a high-draw leather, such as latigo or buffalo, then either SRD P1 leather or shell (low-draw leather). I did 100 strokes each on linen and leather.

The hard backing for the NP keeps from giving a convex profile to the bevel, the way a pasted strop will. Its not a panacea, but for guys that don't yet hone, it can extend the time between honings.

Also - for OP - if you need a hand w/ edges, PM me. 'Just postage costs.

I remember Utopian recommending to strop on cardboard cut from a cereal box and to use only the inside of the box. There is very often some printing on the inside of the box.

I have tried it but can't remember the results. Haven't used it lately becuse lately I am finishing with oil on novaculite and Welsh slate.

Jerry
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I used newspaper before for stropping, if i remember correctly i had better luck with color newsprint, like store advertisement,
heavy on ink on newsprint, more abrasive i guess!!!

I have to admit, I do use 2 or 3 layers of newsprint every once and a while when between shaves. Right on the counter on the Lu sink.

that reminds me I was going to have a play about with putting Autosol on a paddle strop.....

Another newsprint stropper here! I can often refine a flagging edge with 100 strokes on colored newsprint. Going on the theory that maybe the colored inks are slightly abrasive, I usually use Sunday inserts, comics, etc., and try to use mostly greens-maybe there's some chromium oxide in the ink? Could be just voodoo, but it seems to work for me.

For my next experiment, I am going to compare edges between conservative vs. liberal-leaning newspapers.