Thread: first experience in stropping! help!

hello i have bought this razor : pearlex 5/8 dovo, and this type of strop : dovo leather strop (32 cm lenght of the leather)

question:

how much should i strop? (about 17 30 strop before shaving) .

my strop have a canvas part on the bottom...could do me explain the function??

could you me explain the function of the strop paste?? should i maintain full of paste the leather??

many many thanks friend!!!

Danny, it looks like you have a lot to learn. For starters read all the help files and go through the Newbies Corner, Hones and Strops forums. That flimsy little travelling strop gives you about a third of the working surface that you need. I'd do about 15 passes (in each direction) on the canvas and 40 on the leather before shaving with it. Ofcourse, start with a properly honed blade.

Strop paste is for conditioning the leather. I use mink oil. Any leather conditioner will do. Don't use too much, but don't be stingy either.

Strop slowly and gently being sure to flip the razor's edge up at the end of each lap, keeping the spine in contact with the strop. Remember, slowly and gently.

X

thank! ..i have two type of paste..... RED... and BLACK..... which should i use for "everyday use" ??

thanks

Neither. IIRC they're both abrasive and you do not want to put that on your hanging strops until you become half as good as Randy/Lynn/Joe/Bill. The only conditioning treatment for your regular hanger should be one of the following 3:
1) Mink oil (generally sold for shoe care)
2) Neatsfoot oil (baseball gloves)
3) Strop dressing (I forget what this one's for )
The red and black go on the paddles and at least one of them will be about as fine or coarser than Norton 8k.

oh thanks friend! .......could i use on the leather strop the same oil that i use on the belgian stone?? (the oil is specify for the honing stone)

thanks

I wouldn't. For that matter, I wouldn't use the oil on that particular hone either. The mineral oil you got with it is good for storing blades you won't be using, for oiling your hinges, locks, hedge trimmer and hair clippers.

Don't worry about conditioning your strop immediately. It'll still work. Strop conditioning is for the long haul. To keep it working well for many years. Save the red and black paste for a paddle strop to keep your razor sharp.

The oil on the hone is mineral oil. You can also use it to prevent rust on your razors if you are going to store them for a long time or ship them out to be professionally honed. Don't use mineral oil on a waterstone like the Norton .

X

The only thing I would say here is that from your posts it appears your really starting out and really have no idea about what to do. I would strongly urge you to read the help files. It will answer most of your questions especially about all the basics and if you have more questions after that feel free to ask away.