Thread: Pasted Strops vs. finishing Stones

Perhaps I am starting a thread that has been addressed, but here goes. I am reading threads about Thuri's,Escher's (sought after) 12 K Nani. and other finishing stones. There seem to be few if any threads concerning Chromium Oxide, the diamond sprays, or other pastes. How do they compare with the honing stones? I have seen the microscope pictures showing what the pastes can do and they seem very effective. Perhaps I am mis-informed about their use.
I get a good shave from razors honed on a Coti, and yet after observing other threads I wonder how much more can be achieved.

Thanks In Advance, Aspiring Apprentice

Hi membudo!!

My usage of pastes and sprays is in conjunction with, not in place of, my finishing stones.

After the 8k, I go to a PHIG (C12k to some) for more polishing, then I do 10-20 laps on the fine side of my Winner barber hone (probably 10k in grit), then I go 20 laps on a .25 diamond spray felt paddle strop, which cuts and polishes really fast, then 40 on a .5 CrOx pasted balsa paddle strop. I finish them with a few laps on a dry Swaty, 50 laps on a clean felt strop and 100 laps on my 3" chestnut bridle leather strop. This seems to work really well FOR ME, and I arrived at this through trial and error, just finding what felt like the smoothest shave to me, for MY face.

I then use my barbers hones and CrOx and Diamond strops to KEEP them in top condition before every other use.

I have never heard of anyone substituting CrOx/Diamond for a good finishing stone, but using them instead to put a even finer polish on the bevel.

Indeed more can be achieved as you so wisely surmised!!! It's fun to experiment with different polishers, and after all that is all a finishing stone is doing, polishing. Really anything past the 8k, as others will attest, is not necessary. It is because I, and I learned this from others, want to see just how smooth I can get any given razor to shave. I have ruined a few edges by over honing/polishing them to death. There is a point where you just have gone to far. hehehe. I had to find it for myself though, even though I had been warned.

So, have fun, I say, and try out all the different stuff. I like finding what works for ME. But trying everything is the only way to know which ones work for you.

Good luck mate!!

Mike

Having some CrOx on a strop(leather, poly or linen) or piece of balsa is a must have (well at least for me), and it will not cost you much, highly recommended.
I haven't tried Diamond sprays yet, but I've had some fun experimenting with CBN, which is similar.

Thanks Gents, i now have a polished view on pastes.
I will probably get some CroX and and balsa strop. I think this will be a great compliment to my Coti.

The only trick to pastes, is using them correctly without over-using them...
This can quickly become a case of "Too much of a good thing"

See this _long_ thread for a whole spectrum of opinions:

Paste finish vs stone finish

Charles

I occasionally use pastes but I would rather just use one of my cotis and then go to a jnat to finish. I usually make a few laps on a mellow coti like a La Grise or La Grosse Juane with just water and then strop on linen and shell.

To me, the key is really refining the edge to my liking for shaving. It is really a personal preference thing. So, whether you like Coti's, Jnat's, Escher's or other natural stones for finishing or whether you like the finish off 8K Norton's, 12K Naniwa's or Shapton Glass 16K, It is probably worth the minimal expense involved in picking up at least some chromium oxide, putting a small amount on the back of your linen strop and giving the razor 5-10 light strokes after the stones to see how it feels for you. Little differences can sometimes go a long way in the closeness and comfort of the shave.

Have fun

Yea Lynn's right. If there is one thing I've learned over the years the hard way, when it comes to many things involving shaving less is more. I think most folks starting out have no idea what a very few strokes on a hone will do for an edge.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yea Lynn's right. If there is one thing I've learned over the years the hard way, when it comes to many things involving shaving less is more. I think most folks starting out have no idea what a very few strokes on a hone will do for an edge.

I have just started to observe this. The HHT seems to be a decent benchmark I will often do it then hone a little bit more and try the test again.
So many variations on so many combinations of Stones, strops, to paste or not, and combinations of any or all can make you head spin.
The more education I have the better but, I think KISS is a good acronym for now. The micro world of razors has truly inspired me.