Thread: pasted strops

I'm not sure if this is something for the strop forum or the honing forum. I'm new to the straight razor world but having a blast so far. I had what might be a stupid question. I've noticed different materials being used for pasted strops. Some are leather, some are felt, and some are balsa. Any thoughts on what works best if the plan is a .5 micron diamond compound, maybe a .25 micron, and a chromium? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

i am new to powdered/pasted abrasives, but i hear alot of folks say that for a diamond abrasive something like a hard felt is good, becuase it has a bit more give then something like leather or balsa, im not sure that many or any put diamond on leather or balsa.. you dont want the diamonds to cut too deep (i think)

Originally Posted by jskiles

I'm not sure if this is something for the strop forum or the honing forum. I'm new to the straight razor world but having a blast so far. I had what might be a stupid question. I've noticed different materials being used for pasted strops. Some are leather, some are felt, and some are balsa. Any thoughts on what works best if the plan is a .5 micron diamond compound, maybe a .25 micron, and a chromium? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A pasted strop is a big help after honing.
It is less desirable for day in day out stropping.

Glenn (gssixgun) did a test, stropping
with a submicron pastes strop for a couple
months and found that the modern ultra fine
sub micron diamond (and others) are not
as evil as coarser pastes. He did not notice
a problem with the edge after a lot of use.

My preference is 0.5micron CrOx or 0.25 diamond
on the felt or canvas side. CrOx is green and
can get on things... some homes would not
do well with CrOx green spots. Diamond is
white and invisible.

You can change from fine to coarser but not
the other way. So if you wish to dabble start
with 0.25micron diamond.

Remember that sub micron strops will not sharpen all
they do is polish and smooth an already sharp edge.

More importantly is how well you strop.
Work on stropping first then paste.

What would be a proper technique? Would it go something like this: hone - next strop on pasted felt - next to pasted leather - back to plain felt strop - finish on leather strop???

Normally after honing, I would do 5-10 no pressure strokes on the pasted strop and then do 10-20 strokes on unpasted linen or cotton or poly webbed strop followed by 50-60 strokes on the unpasted leather strop.

Have fun.