Thread: Leather Strops - are they a sham?

“I think part of the problem could be coming from my 10k Chinese stone. I find it's pretty soft and somewhat inconsistent as a surface. I even spotted a visible black particle that was embedded in the stone. So it's a bit of a challenge to start off with a good edge, which seems to be the most important thing, the more I learn. But I plan on using this stone up first before I get into a Naniwa or something”


Well, there’s your problem….

Really a Chinese stone is not 10 or 12k, some can finish but not 12k finish.

I though you had said in another thread that you had a 5,8 and 12k Naniwa set?

I came to this site about 5 years ago because it specialized almost exclusively in straight razors. I thought if anyone would know about straight razors it would be members on this site. I was not disappointed. Later on I did go to a knife forum to ask about a couple of knives I had and got knowledgeable answers. While there I notice a razor sub forum and took a look. For the most part I came away shaking my head at some of the comments.

If you are new to shaving with a straight razor it is commonly accepted that it takes about 100 shaves to get your technique working decently. Along the way to that point you will likely dull a blade more frequently by improper stropping technique than you will later in your shaving. Also be prepared to cut up a strop along the way. It is generally considered best to get those two things working well before learning to hone. Waiting is sometimes not possible for a number of reasons. I could not wait.

Fortunately through reading on here about hones I got the impression that synthetic hones offered consistent grit ratings and were the easiest to learn on. I bought Naniwa hones and found this to be true. They are not terribly expensive either. The biggest single thing I had to learn was to properly set the bevel in the first place. If you don't and proceed up the hone progression you are likely just polishing a turd as they used to say in the military. I think the best way to learn is to attend some of the meet ups or find a member in your area that can give you some one on one time. I wish those had been an option for me.

All the magnification in the world will not help if you do not know what to look for and how to interpret what you are seeing. Those two things come through time and practice. Personally, I still use a low powered hand loupe to get the job done.

Between doing enough reading and practicing you will quickly separate the wheat from the chaff as far as information that is presented to you. You have to take into account that there are generally at least 2 or more ways to get to the same end. You just have to find out which path is the most suitable for you.

Bob

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I though you had said in another thread that you had a 5,8 and 12k Naniwa set?

I do EDC the DMT credit card three pack (325/600/1200). Otherwise; maybe it was another noob that goes by Bang Bang?

Originally Posted by BobH

I think the best way to learn is to attend some of the meet ups or find a member in your area that can give you some one on one time. I wish those had been an option for me.


Bob

Excellent suggestion! I will give that a try once I have some free time.

I feel for you Bob. I can imagine Thunder Bay might be a tricky place to find a specialist.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

“I think part of the problem could be coming from my 10k Chinese stone. I find it's pretty soft and somewhat inconsistent as a surface. I even spotted a visible black particle that was embedded in the stone. So it's a bit of a challenge to start off with a good edge, which seems to be the most important thing, the more I learn. But I plan on using this stone up first before I get into a Naniwa or something”


Well, there’s your problem….

Really a Chinese stone is not 10 or 12k, some can finish but not 12k finish.

I though you had said in another thread that you had a 5,8 and 12k Naniwa set?

I pondered this... the chinese hone of unknown grit is a tough one.

It is time to pull mine back out and see if I can get it to work.
I would start with a bit of bar stock mild steel and burnish the surface I lapped on it way back.
I would then try with water and lather...
If that does not work I will try WD-40 and more burnishing.
If that does not work I will try oil.
If that does not work I will try Vaseline.

It that does not work back to using it as a paperweight and hone stand.

My 2K Green Brick shaves better than my Chinese rock but perhaps I have not given it my best tricks.

It is ok on some of my kitchen knives..