Originally Posted by mslovacek
Gavin,
Do not throw out your green strop, it is not a total wash. There are various methods of sharpening a razor. One of which, is the pasted strop method. For this method you will need at least two more strops. One for red paste, which does not have to be a fancy. And a everyday stropping strop.
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Green paste is a fast cutter, used to establish the initial bevel, and remove oxidation off the edge of older razors that have not been used for quite a while. In addition, the green paste is very useful on wedge razors in which you have to remove a lot of metal to sharpen.
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Not correct! Green paste is chrome oxide. The pre-mixed solution from HandAmerican.com is 0.5 microns in size as is the green honing compund available from Lee Valley.
There is anther provider of greenhoning compound, Formax Mfg. There micron size ranges up to 6.0 and is available in most woodworking stores. Neither one is suitable for restoring an old oxidised edge. A 1000-2000 grit(ANSI/CAMI standard sizing) or a 4000 grit JIS(Japanese) grit is needed for removal of an old oxidised edge.
Red paste establishes a keen edge, capable of shaving.
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The red paste can be used but it is my last choice among the abrasive pastes
If you want, you can use finer cutting agents on another strop. I like to strop on a diamond paddle strop to give a final touch to the edge.
Finish by stropping about fifty times on a regular strop laying completely flat, and using a very light touch.
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Most people do not lay their strops on something flat. They use it as a hanging strop. Most of us have found that it works better that way.
Be sure to rotate it on the back of the razor at the end of the strokes, so as to not damage your razor's edge.
Don't feel too bad about having misunderstood the use of pastes, we all make mistakes, it is part of the learning process. When I first started using a straight, I ruined my first razor by using the wrong type of stone... :(
Good luck friend, happy shaving,
Mark.