Thread: Strop Paste is weird

Hello Mark,

I am finding it impossible to refrain from commenting on your posts. It would benefit all of us if you are able to specify what green paste you are talking about. We need to know the micron size of the abrasive grain. The reason why is that your comments fly in the face of the combined experience of the members of this forum. A large number of us use 0.5 micron chrome oxide as a finishing abrasive and achieve great results.
For you to say that chrome oxide is to coarse is simply unbelieveable. You say that you use a red paste. Which one?
All of the red pastes that I have used are coarser than the 0.5 micron chrome oxide.

If you are using chrome oxide paste on a hanging strop to restore an old oxidised edge then it must be some really coarse! compound. Please let us know what you are using so we can test it.

Originally Posted by mslovacek

Xman,

I actually use a hanging strop made from a piece of 10oz leather with green paste. It works wonders for establishing an initial bevel. I have found that it needs additional stropping on another strop with the red paste to get it shave ready. I think green paste is way too course of a cutting agent to bring the razor to a shave ready condition. Perhaps there are finer chromium oxide pastes on the market, of which I have no experience with.

I love this hobby so much, there are so many ways of to approach the sharpening of razor, and good people to help out along the way!

Happy shaving,
Mark.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hello Mark,

I am finding it impossible to refrain from commenting on your posts. It would benefit all of us if you are able to specify what green paste you are talking about. We need to know the micron size of the abrasive grain. Please let us know what you are using so we can test it.[/font][/font]

Randy,

The green paste that I am using is paste that I made from scratch.

All parts by volume:
1 part bees wax
1 part oil

Heated until in the microwave until bees wax melts and incorporated into oil. (mixing frequently to dissolve wax, and do not let the mixture reach its flashpoint)

Afterwards, mix 1 part Chromium Oxide to mixture until a homogenous mixture is obtained.

The Chromium Oxide that I have on hand is 7-9 micron in size.
I did not realize that the green paste on the market was so fine...

I can see why there is such a difference in the outcome between the two!

Thanks for pointing it out to me...

BTW the red paste that I am using is the 3 micron from classic shaving.
Mark.

Randy,

I saw your reply to my earlier post after the fact.

I stand corrected to your knowledge and experience.

I want to point out that I was not trying to convey that the strop should be laid flat on some surface, but rather the razor should remain flat on the strop without lifting the spine of the razor off the strop.

I mistakenly assumed that the green paste from the earlier post was the 6 micron from classic shaving, which is simular to mine.

I was not trying to lead anyone down the primrose path, but convey what I have found useful and effective. For the parts that I was in error I stand corrected. In addition, my intention was to convey to Gavin don't get discouraged, that we all screw up some time, and I guess I did so in the process...


Mark.

I think he gets it from "HandAmerican" but can't be sure. Its dry stuff and he told me once he buys it buy the pound.

Hello Mark,

Thanks for responding and clarifying what you have been using. Now it makes much more sense!

I would also like to apologize to you for my poorly written posts on this thread. I was a little cranky before I started writing and I should not have written anything until I felt better.

The bee's wax and oil method is inventive! I hope it is working well for you. I will have to try using some of the 7-9 micron chrome oxide someday to restore old edges.

The 3 micron red paste can be improved upon. You might want to try some finer pastes in the future. Your face will appreciate it!

Feeling less cranky,

Not a problem Randy! We are all human... =)

After your post I tried a 1000grit stone on a ebay razor, and I can truely say, it require much less work to establish an initial edge than the method I was using before!

Thanks,
Mark.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hello Mark,

Thanks for responding and clarifying what you have been using. Now it makes much more sense!

I would also like to apologize to you for my poorly written posts on this thread. I was a little cranky before I started writing and I should not have written anything until I felt better.

The bee's wax and oil method is inventive! I hope it is working well for you. I will have to try using some of the 7-9 micron chrome oxide someday to restore old edges.

The 3 micron red paste can be improved upon. You might want to try some finer pastes in the future. Your face will appreciate it!

Feeling less cranky,