Thread: Wicked Paddle Strop

How thick of foam do you use? I went to the crafts store and all they had was about 1/8" thick foam. Will that work or does it need to be thicker? Thanks for sharing your info!

I've not gone to that much research and my hats off to M Martinez for coming up with this setup. It looks like it should work well.
I have a T Miller four sided paddle strop and one side has MAAS on it. I've been doing this for about 4 months now and it does help a lot especially I've found on razors that need a bit more than CrOx or at least more polishing. I haven't looked at the edges under a microscope since I don't have one:-) I have looked at them under a 30x loupe and the edges appear very smooth unlike diamond paste which seems rough at least to me. So, my go to sides are CrOx and the MAAS.
I don't coat the side with MAAS very heavily at all just enough to cover the leather with a thin coating. MAAS doesn't last as long as CrOx and has to be refreshed more often but that's an easy task.

I did 12 laps on each of the paddles, followed by 30 on a soft nylon seat belt type strap. Before I shave I also give it 20 laps on leather as per M Martinez's instructions. I didn't have the leather nearby so didn't do that but I assume it polishes it a little more. I know if you do not use the leather before shave you will have a bunch of weepers.

Duane

Great photos, when I did the testing I used a 100 power Radio Shack scope. I was amazed at the results.

I have tried to duplicate the results with other components, but after 8 months have been unable. It is the synergy of these 3 processes that I achieved these results.

I can’t explain it precisely, I have been unable to find out what exactly is in MAAS other than rouge. I tried red rouge and could not get these same results.

Simply it is polishing the bevel and reducing the stria height, so the height of the ridge is closer to the bottom of the groove resulting in a smaller serration at the edge. This is the goal of using progressively higher grit stones to cut the tops of the ridges, except that the grit from the hone creates its own stria.

We are seeing in the photos, more reflection from the tops of the ridges and less or smaller stria/scratches and the shadow of the bottom of the groove. What we see, the shine is really immaterial, it’s what happens at the edge. The shallower the top of the land compared to the groove the less jagged the edge will be and the smoother the shave.

Bottom line is nice smooth comfortable shave, which was my goal when I started this experiment. And I think seems to be the largest problem most people on this site seem to have with straight razor honing. Getting it sharp is one thing, getting it to shave is another, getting a razor to shave comfortably consistently is the mystery for most. This is one solution, anyone can achieve this.

And yes the thickness of the foam makes a dramatic difference. I am using 2mm foam. Too thick will dull the edge as will some other medium carriers.

A great use for the thicker foam, 6MM is as a way to safely hold a blade for cleaning or sanding. The pressure on the blade will imbed the edge into the foam securely holding the blade and allow you to clean right up to the bevel safely.

Nice Photos Duane, Thanks

Marty

Originally Posted by M Martinez

Duane


I can’t explain it precisely, I have been unable to find out what exactly is in MAAS other than rouge. I tried red rouge and could not get these same results.

Simply it is polishing the bevel and reducing the stria height, so the height of the ridge is closer to the bottom of the groove resulting in a smaller serration at the edge. This is the goal of using progressively higher grit stones to cut the tops of the ridges, except that the grit from the hone creates its own stria.


Marty

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Marty
Thank you for this very intriguing idea. I went str8 down to WMart and got some of that foam and applied the Maas. I did 50 laps with a Thuringian on a Puma and a Thiers Issard, then 15 laps with each razor on the Maas impregnated foam and that is a great shaving edge.

Thanks again for sharing a great idea.

How well does it look like the foam will hold up? I am very intrigued with this idea...

Shooter

I am still using the paddles in the original post photos, for almost 11 months now with daily use. At about 8 months I re applied the Mass to the original and it works as well as a new set I am testing.

There has been no degradation to the foam, but after some time does appear to load up and or the mass wears off.

Now I was and am still stropping 1-4 razors daily for testing, much more use than the general user. Once you have achieved the level of keenness you desire you will not need to hit the paddle daily, simply strop on Nylon, then leather strops until it need a touch up again.

One of the biggest factors in the final polish seems to be the Poly/Nylon strop. The finer the weave the better the finish and resulting shave.

Marty

Does anyone know of a way that we can determine the micron rating for MAAS polish? Or anyother polishing agent commonly used on straight razors? It seems that it would be .5 or less. Any help on this ???

Do you think Brasso metal polish would do the same thing?

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Does anyone know of a way that we can determine the micron rating for MAAS polish? Or anyother polishing agent commonly used on straight razors? It seems that it would be .5 or less. Any help on this ???

I dont think MAAS has an abrasive in it, its a chemical cleaner rather than an abrasive cleaner. I'll double check on mine tonight though.