Thread: Balsa Strop Questions

I have two balsa strops. I have green paste and white paste, I also have red powder (.1 micron) and green powder (.3 micron). So with two strops, which of these should I put on the strops? And should I use these strops before going to the leather? I am brand spanking new to balsa stropping. Also, I've read you use the white lapping paste after the green paste? I thought the green always comes first?

What are you looking to do with your paste. Is it for touch ups or to finish your honing?

I am guessing that your green and white paste are from classic shaving and that your red powder is ferrous oxide and your green powder is crox.

If all that is right your green paste is the same as the green powder. And from what I understand the white paste is on par with the red powder.

What I would do is paste on of the basal strops with the green paste and the other with the white and save the powders for now.

When you apply the paste you only want a little bit on the strop. You should still be able to see the wood. It will just look like it has a green haze or white haze on it.

If doing touch ups start on the white do 10 laps, clean blade, strop on linen , strop on leather test shave. If that doesn't bring the edge back repeat. if that doesn't work do 10 laps on green , clean blade, 10 laps on white, clean blade, strop linen, strop leather, test shave. If that doesn't work repeat. If that doesn't work it needs a hone.

Thank you greatly. Great info sir. It is for touch ups for now. Yes that is where i got my paste and the powder from amazon. Are balsa strops preferred before moving to leather?

Originally Posted by EricofAriamis

Are balsa strops preferred before moving to leather?

If you are talking for everyday stropping you should just be using leather or linen and leather.

For touch ups you will use the balsa then leather. Just make sure you clean the blade off after using a strop with paste so you don't transfer any paste to your plain leather.

Thanks a lot for the info sir.