Thread: Strop , Hone, Diamond paste, ETC = headache

Hi all,

Perhaps I am missing something but I am really confused about the whole relationship between all this gear.

I see strops which are plain strops. which are pasted, paddle strops plain and pasted . loom strops plain and pasted strop and hone sets which are pasted , something about slurries which frankly to me sound like a cool summer drink or something that needs to go down the drain.

I do read this site in an obsessive manner and have bought a 2nd hand cordovian strop ( UN pasted ) hones which look like they are made from agate. green and hard as hell they are supposed to be 4000 , 8000, and 10,000 respectively. They don't really seem to do much.

Are pasted strops or paddles the way to go, or are hones or are Japanese stones or is marble or pavement for that matter.

I realize that everyone has a preference and different items for different outcomes but all I am looking for is the simplest way to keep put and keep an edge on my razor .

I can sharpen my kitchen knives to "spec" why is this razor thing such a headache ?

Sorry for my frustration with something I am sure most of you understand.

I just don't wish to waste money and want to buy something great but idiot proof

I understand, it can be overwhelming...You should read the WIKI here...It will clear up lots for you.. Read all of it...

Strops: Lots of different kinds for different tastes, and some do different things...
You need a strop for daily pre shave maintenance on your blade...You would use just plain unpasted leather...no treatments...Any kind of paste or spray is normally used in honing, or sharpening your blade...not on a daily basis.

Hanging strops are the most popular for daily use, and come in many different styles, Cordovan, Latigo, Horsehide, Cowhide, even exotic, like Kangaroo...Different leather equals different draw, or a different feel of your blade dragging along the leather...

Paddle strops can be used too, but are normally good for pastes, diamond paste, Chromium oxide and the like...but paddles can be used as a daily strop too, untreated of course, depends on your tastse...
Same deal with Loom Strops...

Slurries are used on sharpening stones...basically the ones you use with water...You have a small piece of rock, about the size of Zippo lighter..You rub it on the larger sharpening stone until a thin white liquid appears...This aids in the sharpening, or wheting of your blade, you dilute it as you go, until your just using plain water...Hope this answers some of your questions....

Rich

I am still fairly new to this so take my perspective with a grain of salt.

I think the key is to learn what you can and can't expect from each piece of gear. This comes with time and practice. It is one thing for someone to tell you what each piece of gear does versus actually feeling and understanding them from your own perspective. The lingo of shaving is so subjective it is virtually impossible to learn without cultivating your own experiences.

I started out with a minimalist setup with one razor and a filly strop with CrOx on the back. I used them for about 4 months before i got a barber hone. It just seemed like the filly wasn't doing a sufficient job refreshing my edge so i wanted something minimalist and inexpensive to refresh my edge. This lead my to purchase a barber's hone.

The hone does a pretty good job refreshing my edge. I have learned that when i use it, the razor glides across the strop with a lot less resistance. I don't understand why that is, but it seems to be correlated with better shaves. I also noticed the same phenomenon when i use my jeans as a linen strop and then strop on leather. As a result, I am going to purchase a linen/cotton strop to see what that brings to the party. It could be the case that i am refreshing my edge needlessly because i am not stropping enough. I don't know, but i am going to test it.

I don't know what will happen after that. From what i have read, my setup should be sufficient to maintain my razor forever at some level of performance. If this gives me the edge and shave that i want, then i will be done. I don't think you need to buy every piece of gear available. I think you should just buy stuff until you get the edge you want and then stop there. If i want to shoot for a smoother edge, i will probably add some kind of polishing stone or paste or something to learn what that piece of gear has to offer. I think the key is to change one variable at a time and proceed slowly.

Rich ,
your a champ, I get what your saying but it sure as hell does not simplify anything ( insert big uncertain smile here! )
All the same thank you..

I am not looking for a definitive answer, what I am looking for is something more then the wiki, which I have read and to me it just doesn't seem to be clear enough perhaps I am really super F-ing stupid or perhaps I wish to be spoon fed as to which system or style is "best " for a lazy new bi (Bi ) FYI in means pussy in Chinese.

There are so many options as we all can see I actually wonder what I should buy on classic shaver they have a new shaver kit it consists of a hard strop a 2 ply stone 4g to 8 g and some dovo paste but then you look and read posts and so many people speak of this stone and that stone regardless of country so WTF help please give some solid advice...... I guess I am looking for a definitive answer

thecornerbooth

so according to you this is almost like a crack habit from the eighties the first thing is good but nothing is ever as good as the first edge so its a constant Jones to feed the edge (habit)?

Originally Posted by shayne

I am not looking for a definitive answer, what I am looking for is something more then the wiki, which I have read and to me it just doesn't seem to be clear enough perhaps I am really super F-ing stupid or perhaps I wish to be spoon fed as to which system or style is "best " for a lazy new bi (Bi ) FYI in means pussy in Chinese.

If you own hones, then don't buy anything else. just stop. seriously. learn to use the stuff you have.

If you don't, then buy a barber hone from the classifieds. They are relatively cheap and you can sell it back later if you decide you don't like it. Also get a pasted strop with CrOx.

I am a lazy newbie and that is the route i am going.

In simple terms...

Start with a sharp razor and a leather strop with no paste. Strop before every shave. If you have a linen and leather combo strop, then strop linen first and then leather.

That's all, but it doesn't remain like that forever.

After a month or so, or even sooner, you will notice that the quality of the shave is reduced, because your razor is beginning to dull. When this happens, you have two primary means of restoring the edge. You can hone it or you can strop it on pasted strop.
(1) If you hone it, you will do some light passes (the number depends on which hone you use) on the hone, then you will do your daily strop and you're good to go again.
(2) If you strop it on paste, then you will need a separate strop from your daily use strop. The paste on the strop can be chromium oxide, which is green, and it is mildly but sufficiently abrasive to restore your edge with perhaps 10 to 15 passes. After this stropping on paste, switch to your daily strop and again you're good to go again.

Also don't confuse blade restoration (Ebay, Antique store finds etc) on blades that are are as sharp as butter knives with shave ready blades.

I almost never go below a Barber hone or Escher (somewhere in the 10k+ range) on a blade that I've had shave ready. Then a few on a Balsa Chromium paddle and back to leather and I'm good to go.

Restoration (hones under 8k) is a whole other ballgame and shouldn't be needed on shave ready blades.

Originally Posted by shayne

thecornerbooth

so according to you this is almost like a crack habit from the eighties the first thing is good but nothing is ever as good as the first edge so its a constant Jones to feed the edge (habit)?

Hahaha.. that does about sum it up for certain people.

The link in Utopian's signature is very helpful as well for Beginners.

If you are looking for an answer of what do you really "need" then there are 3 items you must have

1. a Shave ready razor
2. a Strop ( paddle or hanging is more of a personal preference I have found)
3. A barbers/high grit hone OR a pasted strop of some kind.

Those 3 items will keep you shaving for a good long while before needing to send the razor out to be re-honed unless it is dropped or some other major damage is done to the edge.

Once the ADs ( Acquisition Disorders ) start kicking in though your wallet will look as bare as old mother hubbard's cupboard