Thread: To strop or not to strop

Ok i have atm 1k, 6k and 10k japanese waterstones. Complimented by a (now rather pitted) hanging strop. I can achieve HHT sharp with little effort but still have trouble with my blades snagging slightly against the grain and such (in direction of and across the grain its smooth as). What im wondering is whether it is worth me paying Tony a visit for a 4 sided strop, will .25 micron paste make my blades even sharper? And overall is it worth it?

Originally Posted by KurtTank

Ok i have atm 1k, 6k and 10k japanese waterstones. Complimented by a (now rather pitted) hanging strop. I can achieve HHT sharp with little effort but still have trouble with my blades snagging slightly against the grain and such (in direction of and across the grain its smooth as). What im wondering is whether it is worth me paying Tony a visit for a 4 sided strop, will .25 micron paste make my blades even sharper? And overall is it worth it?

1) Yes.
2) Value is relative. Some have suggested that a blade off of a 0.25 micron stop it too sharp for a comfortable shave...others have suggested that it is not possible for a razor to be too sharp (ask anyone who prefers using a feather). You can not know if it is worth it (to you) until you try it yourself.

FWIW,
Ed

BTW--I do not use 0.25 micron paste; 0.5 brings my blades to a level of sharpness/smoothness that is adequate for me.

Originally Posted by KurtTank

Ok i have atm 1k, 6k and 10k japanese waterstones. Complimented by a (now rather pitted) hanging strop. I can achieve HHT sharp with little effort but still have trouble with my blades snagging slightly against the grain and such (in direction of and across the grain its smooth as). What im wondering is whether it is worth me paying Tony a visit for a 4 sided strop, will .25 micron paste make my blades even sharper? And overall is it worth it?

I used one of Tony's 4 sided paddles 3,1,.5 and .25 For me it rocks. Smooth as silk.

I have one of Tony's 4 sided paddles with 3, 1, 0.5 and 0.25. It gets razors wicked sharp. A whole nother level after the norton 8k.

If you've got a tough beard even a sharp blade will pull somewhat against the grain. I stop at 0.5 micron so I can't tell you what 0.25 will do for you, but even with a Feather I get some pulling against the grain. My straight pulls a little more than the Feather, but its not at all uncomfortable,. Since better men than me have failed hone a blade to match the Feather, I'm not going to worry about it much.

I'd say don't go directly to the 0.25, use 0.5 first. I'll bet that keens 'em up for ya.

X

I can definitely tell a difference between .5 and .25 but I wouldnt go directly to .25, some of my razors shave great at .25 and I have had some experiences where .25 was a little much on other razors.

Well that seems to clarify, am i to assume as well that going from a 10k stone i should start on the paddle at 3 micron? Or would a 1.5-1 Micron start be more useful? And lastly (for now) can a paddle strop be used without paste as a daily strop, or is a hanging strop preferable?

An unpasted paddle strop can be used as a daily strop, but hanging strops are faster and easier to use for that purpose.

I have a small paddle strop with one side unpasted and the other side pasted with 0.5 micron grit, that I use as a travel strop.

Off the 10k I'd suspect a 1µ would be a fine step. I've gone from my 8 to 0.5µ and have since added a few (3) passes on a 12k between them as a regular set.

X