Thread: Can a balsa strop remove a wire edge

Hi guys. As a newbie, a little advice would be much appreciated. I'm afraid my poor stropping may have created a wire edge. Even after stropping, I just can't seem to get a properly sharp edge back- as sharp as I when I received it a month ago.

Will a balsa strop with paste eliminate a wire edge and restore the edge sufficiently?

Maybe, sort of depends on the condition of the edge. If you rolled the edge when stropping it may need to be honed again. Give the pasted balsa a try, shave test and see what happens.

Hmm, you do risk to get that wire edge stuck in your balsa stop and messing up further use of it!
I do some quick stropping on my palm to get rid of it.
If you do and see a thin strip of metal on your hand, don't touch it, rinse it off!

Wire edge on a razor is a real achievement.
You can get rid of wire edge by stropping, probably the best medium for that purpose is felt.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Wire edge on a razor is a real achievement.

+1. I'm betting a rolled edge if it was a result of stropping to begin with.

I'm struggling to see how you can get a wire edge from stropping. However, your idea of using a pasted strop might bring the edge back unless you've really messed it up in which case you need it honed. For what it will cost for a balsa strop and Cro Ox why notgive it a try. It's always useful for a touch up anyway.

I have noticed that a common problem among beginners is rolling their edge on the strop and thus dulling the edge. I doubt what you have is a wire edge.

A good stropping on a chromium oxide pasted strop may bring back the edge back to shave ready. If you dulled the edge really badly on the strop, you might have to get the razor rehoned on some stones.

I think the OP may mean rolled edge instead of wired edge. My understanding is that a wired edge can be created on hones and a rolled edge is created on a strop due to poor stropping technique. Who hasn't had a rolled edge or two in the beginning? Anyway, I would follow the advice given to try the Crox pasted balsa strop first followed by a good long (correct method) stopping on leather. If that fails a honing is necessary.

Bob

Thanks for the insights everyone! Learning alot. Keep 'em coming.

So I got this strop very cheap not realizing it's coming from china. Safe to use?



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