Paddle Strop Paste Question

I have a two sided paddle strop, one side with 0.5 micron paste, and the other with 1.0 micron paste.

I use it fairly regularly to care for two razors, in combination with my hanging strop.

My question is, how often does the diamond paste need to be reapplied to keep it in top operating condition?

I have been away for about 5 weeks and took it with me to care for one razor. Over the past few days it just doesn't seem to be doing the job it once did.

Thanks,
Keith

I'm of the opinion that paddle strops are good for refining and maintaining the edge that's been put on with a hone. After a while, though, they have to be resharpened on a hone. The paddle strop merely extends the time between true honings. If the paddle is not working as well as it did formerly, the razor probably needs to be re-honed.

I would venture to say Joe is right on the money. Your strop has two fairly fine pastes, perfect for touch-up but probably not coarse enough to bring back a fairly dull razor. I think a trip to the hone is called for now.

I use a paddle strop for 90% of my honing but I am also using a 4 side with several coarse pastes as well. These are closer to the grits found on a Norton so I rarely need to go to a hone. I usually just use the fine ones. 0.5, etc... for my weekly or bi-weekly touch-up but occasionally (monthly/bi-monthly) go to the coarse pastes (3.0, 6.0, 9.0) when an edge is getting some age on it.

Tony

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

I have a Norton 4000/8000 waiting for me, so I do intend to hone the razor.

I am still curious though, in your experience, when do you need to reapply (if ever) diamond paste to a paddle strop?

I have been using this one since December, and after I do rework the edge on the hone I want to be sure that this pasted paddle strop is still doing the job it is meant to do.

Thanks again,
Keith

Keith,
For occasional use on one's own razors I think every 4 to 6 months would be right for re-pasting. I do mine every 4 to 6 weeks but am doing 5 to 10 razors a week for a complet sharpening.
Occasional touchup would make the pastes last a long time. Even though my paddles are completely black they still do the job.

Tony

Tony -

Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate the assistance.

Best Regards,
Keith