Thread: Another Paste Question

I'm thinking of trying some Dovo Red paste. The problem I see is that the estimated grit is between 2 and 4 micron. That's something like 5000-7000 grit. If I finish on a stone that is 12000 grit, will using the pastes be going backwards or am I looking at it wrong?

If you have finished the blade with a 12k and it is shaving fine, why are you going to use paste. If the shave is not what you want I dont think honing a blade on DOVO red is going to help. If you are experimenting cool-

I don't hone myself. My razor was finished on a Naniwa 12k and I'm more concerned with touch-ups. I've been shaving with it for a couple of weeks and sooner or later I will need to touch it up. I like looks of the Dovo pastes.

Originally Posted by danxaz

I'm thinking of trying some Dovo Red paste. The problem I see is that the estimated grit is between 2 and 4 micron. That's something like 5000-7000 grit. If I finish on a stone that is 12000 grit, will using the pastes be going backwards or am I looking at it wrong?

You wanna use the Dovo black paste after a 12k grit stone. The black paste does not come in a tube but is a putty type material. Or you could use chromium oxide (Crox)

So the red would be going backwards. But after 12k a paste is really not necessary. I do like to use Crox as a final polish.

a Norton 8k can give you a great shave. Heck, you even get a fine shave after a 1k but I would not recommend it.

"So the red would be going backwards. But after 12k a paste is really not necessary. I do like to use Crox as a final polish."

Even after using the razor for a while? I think I;m having trouble understanding bevel angles, wear, etc.

As part of your regimen to maintain the razor's edge you can use the 12k about once a week. After time, the 12k might not be enough so you need to go to a lower grit or micron, such as using the DOVO red paste.

Eventually, the bevel needs to be reset to obtain an edge which requires even lower grit. Bevel resetting, as I understand, cannot be done with paste. You must use a stone. However, you can keep an edge going for a long time using a 12k stone and DOVO red/green paste. Or once you get comfortable you move to a stone like the Norton 4/8.

As far as bevel angles, this is created naturally by placing the razor on the stone and honing. It is built into the design. Once a bevel is formed you will get an edge. You can even get a great edge off a 1k grit stone because that is where the bevel is set and thus the edge is created. The rest of the steps are for refining and maintaining the razor.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by danxaz

"So the red would be going backwards. But after 12k a paste is really not necessary. I do like to use Crox as a final polish."

Even after using the razor for a while? I think I;m having trouble understanding bevel angles, wear, etc.

Is interesting to note,most of the true honemeisters on this site have done a huge amt.of testing on pastes and sprays.
But do they use them on a regular basis?
I would bet not,can pastes and sprays re-fresh an edge? to a point perhaps.Are pastes and sprays a panacea to a true finishing Hone?
do they work long term? what is the allure newbs have for pastes and sprays? and why? Cost? assumed ease of use?
I have tried all the pastes and sprays. They do things to a point,I wanted easy,quik.I found my finishing hones to be far superior, Albiet far more difficult to master,just takes time.carry on.

To answer your original question yes you can use dovo red to touch up your blade. You would need a bunch of laps to get a good edge but the dovo red will give a nice shaving edge.

However if your blade has recently been touched up on a 12 k stone you would be going backwards slightly. But if you use it for awhile and start to notice that the edge is not good anymore your 12k edge is more or less gone at that point. You then can touch it up with the dovo red and I would not consider that going backwards.

Here is a post I did on paste awhile back and the dovo paste are what I mainly use http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ugh-guide.html

Originally Posted by Castel33

But if you use it for awhile and start to notice that the edge is not good anymore your 12k edge is more or less gone at that point. You then can touch it up with the dovo red and I would not consider that going backwards.

This is exactly what I was visualizing. The only thing I have as far as a finishing hone is a Boss Barber Hone. What I was hoping to be able to do is use pastes until they stop working, then hit the hone followed by the pastes. I read on here about a guy who kept his razor going with a Barber Hone for years and Lynn says as much on the wiki. I like the simplicity of this. I figure, if my edge isn't feeling as keen, it's safe to say that the 12k finish is gone, which is what you are saying.

If your edge is shave ready there is no need for it to see anything but plain linen and leather until you start to notice a deterioration in the feel as you shave. if you catch it early a few laps on a barber hone or other finisher is all you need. if the edge is undamaged you would probably never need to worry about the bevel. yes you can use pastes to maintain for a very long time. But, eventually you will need a hone.

Though I have pastes I only use them on certain razors that seem to just like pastes. I prefer to just use a Coticule or Escher to maintain the edges.