Thread: Purpose of paste

What does the paste actually do? Like what function does it play on the strop, and can you damage a strop if you use too much or too little paste?

It is abrasive - it turns your strop into a hone. It will not damage your strop, but you cannot ever get rid of it - once pasted, always pasted. You will never be able to use a pasted strop as a plain leather one ever again. Ever.

Depending on the paste, too much can actually have the opposite effect - it can cause dulling in some circumstances. Your best bet is to follow the golden rule of all things in life - moderation. Paste sparingly.

James.

Yes, it is a mild abrasive. When the razor doesn't seem to perform as it did after honing, you might be able to use to extend the time until the blade is taken to the hones again

Not really related, but must be time for lunch. Reading your title I thought you were asking what the purpose of pastA is. Thought there was a new technique here. Darn the small font when reading from the phone, haha

Originally Posted by dirtychrome

Not really related, but must be time for lunch. Reading your title I thought you were asking what the purpose of pastA is. Thought there was a new technique here. Darn the small font when reading from the phone, haha

Haha, I could tell you all about pasta if you like, but I think that should be in a different thread! Seriously though thanks for the answer. I was a little confused at first when I read your response because my strop, bought from AOS, came with a small tube of paste, which they just explained was not abrasive, it was to care for the leather side, and that the abrasive strop paste was something completely different.

Sounds like they included some leather conditioner for you then.

And that is another topic that many have differing opions.

I am of the camp if it is quality leather, the conditioner is not needed. Rubbing the strop by hand, warming it up with the hand polishing and the natural oils from your skins works well to keep it conditioned.