Thread: Hardwood Pasted Strop ?

I've been thinking . . .

One of the problems with a hanging cloth pasted strop is that it "rounds the edge" of a blade -- the surfaces are beautifully smooth, but the edge angle is greater than the bevel angle. [I've read this, and I can see it on my own razors.]

Presumably, balsa-based pasted strops are less prone to rounding the edges, since they're harder (and deflect less) than hanging fabric strops.

My question:

What happens if I take a piece of hardwood (or hardwood-veneer plywood, for warp-resistance), and make a pasted strop from it?

The surface of that strop would not deflect much, compared to fabric, or even compared to balsa.

Does the wood have to be "open-grain" to hold the paste? Does it have to be soft (like balsa) for some other reason?

My next question (if anyone has tried it):

Would such a hardwood strop, with very fine paste, give an edge comparable to a finishing stone?

Thanks --

Charles

Im thinking sand on top of a rock
As in the grit will be rolling on top making deep scratches
Softer surface allows the grit to embed haf way into it or more giving you a more even surface

Anyway thats my opinion

This post might help: http://straightrazorpalace.com/111172-post12.html

I believe the benefit of balsa is its softness. As the blade runs over it, it compresses slightly, exposing the CrO that is hidden in the valleys of the grain. I feel that this gives a gentler polishing effect, as it is not only the Cro on the surface being pushed into the edge by the high points of the wood.