Thread: Linen "Leveling Effect"

I don't know anything about grit ratings on strops, but I do know, personally, that stropping on linen then leather makes the blade feel sharp and smooth on my face, everyday, and that makes me happy!

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

I don't know anything about grit ratings on strops, but I do know, personally, that stropping on linen then leather makes the blade feel sharp and smooth on my face, everyday, and that makes me happy!

Meeeee Too I think this phenomena falls under the "If it feels good do it" category

Many, many years ago when I used to get a barbers straight razor shave from an old barber,(he got his barbers license in 1945) he only hit the razor on the leather for maybe 10 laps!! If I'd know then that I'd someday pick up the art, I would have picked his brains till he hated me!

A little off topic here: I did once ask him if you honed a razor in circles like my dad did with knives, or in x-strokes like I'd been taught when I was learning to cut meat. He told me that it didn't matter, just as long as you did the same number on both sides of the blade!

If the makers of Syn stones/Hones,can measure a defined Grit exactally (would love to know how they do it)
There has to be some industry standards,sorta like the dept. of wgts and measures.
Why could not a natural stone be graded in the same manner,Fully understand every natural of the same stone type will be differant,but it has to have a grit of some sort,a number.
Everything seems to be an estimate,+/- gawd knows what, with naturals.
In this day and age there has to be some sort of technology to do this.Just curious

Originally Posted by Gammaray

You are so right about the "mythical grit" ratings. We actually agree more than you may think. You continue to make my point with your comments in that above the 4,000 level grit level ratings get more uncertain and are estimated. The 0.5 micron CrO level is specified by most at around 30k. But your diamond pastes may say 50k. They are very inconsistent. What are we to believe?

One of the issues is that the original grit rating was based on AVERAGE particle size which could substantially vary. These were based on a few common substrates and were rarely higher than 400 grit. Extending the original grit standard above this is very difficult because it gives no consideration to hardness, particle shape, or effectiveness which vary with the substrate material. The new diamond pastes really have no grit equivalent due to these issues. A 0.50 micron diamond particle may be comprised of a variety of irregular crystal shapes with jagged edges corresponding to a wide range of effective grit levels, while the beauty of 0.50 micron CrO is a remarkably round, smoother crystalline shape with less pointed corners.

It is interesting that tanned leather may contain as much as 5% chromium compounds (also used in stainless steel), sulfates, salts, and other compounds capable of scratching carbon or stainless steel. This is why I estimate that the effective grit of leather is at MOST 90,000. Linen is not as predictable as there are so many varieties now, but depending on the processing method untreated, unpasted linen is most certainly LESS than leather unless it has something added. Of course regular readers of my posts already know that I use linen to clean my blade not to refine it. I believe untreated linen has a much HIGHER grit level than leather for the reasons stated. Of course we may all have opinions on this topic because like you I don't think there is a definitive answer to these questions. Thanks for your push back. It obviously made me think a bit more about this issue.

So what is your considered opinion on CBN - is it a miracle product or just a fad?

Originally Posted by Edwardd

Ok my straight face will tell you.I strop every 3 shaves and it works just fine for me and it is pleasant!YMMV......

Okay, but are you talking about a freshly or recently honed razor, or one that has completed a couple dozen shaves? Have you tried consistently shaving without stropping?

I understand that YMMV, but I'm curious as to why you would skip on the stropping on a semi-regular basis.....

Originally Posted by UKRob

So what is your considered opinion on CBN - is it a miracle product or just a fad?

For me, it is not a fad. I have a felt pad in the bathroom that is impregnated with 0.1 CBN and use it like a barbers hone. I typically hone to shave. Anything that helps that process is what I am partial to. It really is a shame though because my J-Nat does not see much action anymore. I typically only hone up razors that need it every 5 or 6 months which kinda sucks because I would enjoy honing a [I]little[I] more than that.


Take Care,
Richard

CBN is a miracle, to maintain a perfectally honed razor,for how long remains to be seen.

Originally Posted by UKRob

So what is your considered opinion on CBN - is it a miracle product or just a fad?

Neither. It's just another great trick to have up your sleeve is all. Great stuff, but ultimately just another good tool that works well. Nice thing is it doesn't appear to damage your edge if you do more than needed--or @ least I haven't been able to so far.

I read this topic and and saw some interesting things.
A while back I started using linen for the use of my leather strop, and can say that it feels way better to my face.
Saying this and always looking for a sharper edge, which for example can cbn compared with diamond paste, to add value to an even sharper edge?

For example, I now use diamond paste (which is low and therefore must be replaced and I am very satisfied with the paste, but there is always someting better)
What should I buy, CBN or diamond?
Or just keep using diamond