Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
Like Tree8Likes

Thread: balsa strop? good or no?

  1. #1
    Straight outta Bawlmer Boots's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Baltimore MD
    Posts
    54
    Thanked: 2

    Default balsa strop? good or no?

    I am looking into buying a strop and one of the best sets I have found includes a balsa strop. any input would be greatly appreiciated, I am still brand new at this.
    Order of life: Family, self, everything else

  2. #2
    Bevelsetter
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    625
    Thanked: 109

    Default

    I use one. It does the job. Some feel it leaves a harsh edge. Crox on felt is good alternative. Stropping on canvas and leather after balsa seems to tame it for me.
    JeffR and BobH like this.
    YMMV
    It just keeps getting better

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to jaswarb For This Useful Post:

    Boots (09-22-2012)

  4. #3
    Straight outta Bawlmer Boots's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Baltimore MD
    Posts
    54
    Thanked: 2

    Default

    What about straight from Balsa to leather? have you tried that, or think it would work? the reason I ask is the set includes a balsa and leather strop but not a canvas one, and if necessary I can easily produce a canvas strop myself or purchase one.
    Order of life: Family, self, everything else

  5. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    235
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    I have been using a balsa strop sprayed with Crox on some razors that I just had not been able to get right, even with Crox on linen. At this time it appears to have worked. Still early in the process but I may become a believer.

  6. #5
    Enthusiast Gammaray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Chattanooga, TN
    Posts
    347
    Thanked: 103

    Default

    I use a three inch balsa block impregnated with CrO. About 30-40 laps on the balsa, then leather for 120 makes my razors shave ready.
    Boots likes this.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Gammaray For This Useful Post:

    Boots (09-23-2012)

  8. #6
    At Last, my Arm is Complete Again!! tinkersd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    550
    Thanked: 55

    Default

    A good deal of the time after honing I will use CroX and .25uM diamond paste on balsa, with very reliable results. But that's just me.

  9. #7
    Bevelsetter
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    625
    Thanked: 109

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Boots View Post
    What about straight from Balsa to leather? have you tried that, or think it would work? the reason I ask is the set includes a balsa and leather strop but not a canvas one, and if necessary I can easily produce a canvas strop myself or purchase one.
    Well I just recently added the canvas. I am not really sold on it yet but those with far more experience than I have seem to find it useful. I used the same set you are looking at for awhile when developing technique and it works just fine.

    There are many many let me say many ways to get to a razor's edge. It is one reason this is so enjoyable.
    YMMV
    It just keeps getting better

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to jaswarb For This Useful Post:

    Boots (09-23-2012)

  11. #8
    The Great & Powerful Oz onimaru55's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Bodalla, NSW
    Posts
    15,595
    Thanked: 3747

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Boots View Post
    I am looking into buying a strop and one of the best sets I have found includes a balsa strop. any input would be greatly appreiciated, I am still brand new at this.
    My usual warning to new users. Anything that involves abrasives will usually magnify your stropping faults 10x. Get your linen & leather stropping down pat first then consider harsher media.
    “The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.”

  12. #9
    Bevelsetter
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    625
    Thanked: 109

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by onimaru55 View Post
    My usual warning to new users. Anything that involves abrasives will usually magnify your stropping faults 10x. Get your linen & leather stropping down pat first then consider harsher media.
    No intention towards contention, but didn't gssixgun address this issue by trying to over strop an edge with pasted strops? .5 micron paste IMVHO might on a balsa block be capable (stress might be) of producing a harsh edge(according to some faces) but it would seem stropping or using the crox on canvas or felt lessens the effect and smoothes an otherwise "harsh" edge according to Lyn's advice.

    Unless one is pressing the edge with spine off the strop I don't see the harm.

    I have been known to be wrong.
    YMMV
    It just keeps getting better

  13. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    91
    Thanked: 4

    Default

    for me it's a godsend..... it gave my TI 'Wheatfield' a wickedly sharp edge, which in turn gives me a truly smooth shave... Bliss!!
    Boots likes this.

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to uk_HBer For This Useful Post:

    Boots (09-23-2012)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •