Thread: Cleaning my linen strop

Are there any places which have 12K and 20K hones that don't cost over $100? Forty years of straight razor use does not qualify expertise in SR's, that is why I am asking. I have had a long rugged road. I have a Fran Swaty stone, a Chinese 12K I had to flatten (using an engineers straight edge to approximate flat, measuring vertical, horizontal and diagonal). I also have a Krystolo stone (antique) which the instructions say to stroke the SR 5 times, using it like a hone. I also have the Tormex PA 70 past rated at 3 microns which I have not used, however, I have read numerous reviews of it as a stropping compound. Hel-l-l-l-l-lp! Forty years of SR use does not make one an expert, it's why I am asking.

Originally Posted by Glock27

Are there any places which have 12K and 20K hones that don't cost over $100? Forty years of straight razor use does not qualify expertise in SR's, that is why I am asking. I have had a long rugged road. I have a Fran Swaty stone, a Chinese 12K I had to flatten (using an engineers straight edge to approximate flat, measuring vertical, horizontal and diagonal). I also have a Krystolo stone (antique) which the instructions say to stroke the SR 5 times, using it like a hone. I also have the Tormex PA 70 past rated at 3 microns which I have not used, however, I have read numerous reviews of it as a stropping compound. Hel-l-l-l-l-lp! Forty years of SR use does not make one an expert, it's why I am asking.

Well from what you are used to a Naniwa 12k and some Crox pasted on linen or whatever, and it will make you feel like your in straight razor heaven.

Which is more than $100?

Originally Posted by Glock27

Which is more than $100?

No the Naniwa 12k is about 80-90 dollars...

Being retired and on a limited income, ouch! Awful close. You don't think the Chinese 15K would work? Or how about the Franz Swaty. That thing is smooth as glass, but I have never been sure whether it is to be used like a strop or a hone.

Originally Posted by Glock27

Being retired and on a limited income, ouch! Awful close. You don't think the Chinese 15K would work? Or how about the Franz Swaty. That thing is smooth as glass, but I have never been sure whether it is to be used like a strop or a hone.

The Swaty will work for sure on a razor that needs refreshing. That tormek compound is for knifes really. The Krystolo should work like the Swaty. Your Chinese 12 k should work as well, sometimes you dont need another stone to the regiment but learn how to use one. So the next question is do you know how to hone a razor?

The Swaty is used as a hone 5 to 7 strokes and your done.

“Are there any places which have 12K and 20K hones that don't cost over $100?“


Lapping film. You can get 10-20 honing from a piece of film and 3 pieces from a sheet, about 50 cents per piece.

Grits go down to .3um in grit, about 60K, 1um is about 16K and both will give you a smoking edge, for very little investment. There is a bit of a learning curve.

Just set the bevel on a good 1k, then go to film for finish.

Well...I am pretty sure I know how after 40 years, having a barber friend demonstrating it and having read the data on this site. Fundamentally I am a paranoid on certain things, confidence. Funny. I have partially rebuilt auto engines with confidence, lacking automotive training, but sometimes simple things just tend to boggle me. I have no idea why, maybe it is due to the fact that there is so much information regarding simple aspects than there are complex objects. Hope this makes sense. Now the Tormex. I have read numerous reviews of people who have used it on strops with success, however, none addressed it as a use with SR's. I have prepared an old strop which I have with the Tormex and will give it a try on one of my razors to see. There are just so damned many options to pursue. Thanks for your help.

Tormex PA 70 paste, Tormex website data sheet says it is Aluminum Oxide (Abrasive Averages 3 Macrons (sp) (6000 - 8000 Grit) for Honing Polishing and Buffing)

Interesting, .3um is about 60k grit, yet they claim grit size of 6-8k. Perhaps they meant 3um not .3um, or maybe they meant Macaroons...


Sounds a lot like a garden variety metal polish, try it, worst that can happen is a chippy, harsh shaving edge. If so, just joint and re set the edge.


Really the cheapest way to a 16Kk plus edge, is lapping film. Especially if you just need to maintain a handful of razors.

Tormex. I have understood it to be 3-6k from the seller I bought from. Haven't searched Tormex data. Would wager it is a misprint?! I am prepping an old strop to put the paste on and give an attempt. Your suggestion of the lapping film is probably where I will go. There are just too damned many options to sharpening, and keeping sharp a SR. In the good old days did they have all this technology and stones and strops? I cannot quantify the fact, but I have mentioned in the past that my grandfather from my mothers side sharpened his SR on a giant honing wheel operated by a peddle. He was a sawyer in a mill and spent most of his time sharpening saw blades. His skill at sharpening things seemed to be quiet good. I never noted that he had a strop. wow. This stuff just makes my head spin so fast. Stones, strops, pastes, film, grits, shaving creams, soaps, foams. It is never ending.
Thanks Euclid 440. I appreciate your time and effort at providing information.