Thread: paddle strops & nortons

Well, I wasn't sure if I should post this in the newb forum (seeing as I am one), but since it deals specifically with hones/strops, I figured I'd put it here.

Anyway, I'm planning on picking up a paddle strop starter set from Tony (along with a seconds hanging strop) and sometime in the future get a norton 4k/8k as well.
The only thing is, I'm not sure with which compounds to paste the paddle strop. From what I've read, 3.0µ, 1.0µ and 0.5µ paste seems pretty standard. However, according to a grit size chart I saw, a 4k grit is rougly 2µ particle size and 8k is about 1µ. If my honing process were to involve both the paddle strop and the norton, and seeing as it's particle size is larger than the norton 4k, wouldn't having 3.0µ paste not be all that useful?
The surface of a pasted strop and norton stone are obviously going to be different anyway, but I'm still a little confused here.
Any advice, info, comments or experience is welcome. I'm looking to find out as much as I can

I've used a two sided paddle with 0.5µ and 0.25µ. The 0.25 is a bit overkill really.
1µ and 0.5µ would likely be more practical.

X

Toxik,
Many guys use the 3.0 in place of a Norton and I suggest it in my starter sets simply because most newbies don't have the Norton. If you already have one maybe a 1.0, 0.5, 0.25 spread would be better for you.

Ton

Ah, thanx for the info guys.
One more question though: assumming 8k grit is truely 1.0µ particle size, then what is really the difference in performance between the 8k hone and 1.0µ pasted paddle strop? From what I understand the hone will likely cut faster, but that's all the info I've seemed to gleen so far.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

... Many guys use the 3.0 in place of a Norton ...

Just the 3µ? Not the 6µ? What do you suggest the 6µ for?

X

take the paste from tonys starter kit and the paddle and put it in the drawer to use after you master stroping and shaving...using paste and a paddle is personal pref but using them before you master stroping is suicide...you will destroy the edge on a shave ready razor in seconds with less then great tech...if you poorly strop the blade with an unpasted strop you can restrop the blade again with better tech and recover the edge rather than destroying the edge and having to send it out to be rehoned...be patient

Charlie,
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one <g>


Tony

I have to disagree also. I think using a pasted paddle strop really is much easier to use than anything else you can start with.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Charlie,
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one <g>


Tony

You are quite the gentleman, Tony.

I'm certainly new to reviving straight razors, but I've found the pasted Heirloom Combination (3.0, 1.0, 0.5) a fabulous tool for making razors with good egdes ready for use.