Thread: Diamond Paste Strop

All,

I'm sure this questions has been answered. But I can't find it.

I have 3 strops.

Illinois 127 about 4 years old seen better days.
Dovo Rindleder about 17” long
Dovo Rindleder about 10” long, never been used or pasted.

Which one should I use to put .25 micron diamond paste onto. Or should I make my own Balsa paddle. For the balsa paddle I was thinking 10" long by 3" wide single sided.

Many thanks.

Peter

Howdy,

The conventional wisdom is to avoid using abrasive pastes on hanging strops because of the fear of rounding the edge. Having said that, I've pasted the linen side of my strop and used it to good effect for years.

Since you have a strop that you say has seen better day, one might consider mounting the leather on a rigid surface.

Stand by for more opinions...

regards &c
LG Roy

I'd make a paddle strop out of balsa or leather because I hate to see a quality razor strop get treated with abrasives.

I have had the best luck when using diamond pastes using Hand America's natural leather flatbed hones. I have in the past used the back side of a strop for green or red pastes. I only use the back side of the hanging strop if it is fairly smooth though. Lynn

I have a four sided paddle from Tony . The .25 paste is on the balsa side works really well.

I'll have to agree with Rich. Tony's paddles are perfect for the pastes.

You could take the 10" Dovo one and mount it on a piece of wood to make a nice paddle strop for the paste.

Thanks all for your replys. I am thinking at the mement that a balsa one would be best, what sort of balsa do I need or will the local hobby shop balsa perform well.

Peter