Thread: Understanding Fabric Stops with Paste/Spray

I'm seeking general guidelines for selecting a second strop that will be both:
1) intermediate step from finishing hone to everyday fabric and leather
2) the edge refresher that is beyond the everyday fabric and leather but not so severe as to warrant honing with a finishing stone.

Everyday fabric and leather is SRD webbing and latigo hanging strop.
Finishing stone/hone is/will be Shapton GS 16K

As I window shop at SRD, I see they have lots of options here. I realize there are a few others, but I'd prefer to stick with what is offered by SRD. Specifically there are 5 sprays (media) and 3 substrates possible. (I also realize there is a world of pastes to try as well, but I think that a spray would be simpler for a beginner like myself)

So what is the purpose/benefits to each of the three fabrics? (webbing, premium fabric, hard pressed wool felt, Rock Hard wool)
What series of sprays would be recommended? (from the available 2, 1, .5, .5 CrOx, .25?)
What is the difference between .5 diamond spray, .5 CrOx spray and .5 CrOx paste?
Is it OK to use both sides of the fabric with a different spray on each side?
Actually, is the rock hard wool the same as the hard pressed wool felt?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Wow, the question you ask is akin to someone saying "tell me how to fly an airplane".

It is very complex and requires a real strop expert. I might suggest either doing some research on the forum or contact one of our fine vendors of strops and they could answer in person such an involved question.

I hear SRD has a store 15 minutes down the road from you in Medina, where you can actually go in and see the materials and talk about all the alternatives and options available to you. Some personal preference will play a part here, so actually being able to lay hands on all the stuff may be to your benefit.

Have fun.

My initial searches turned up lots of info regarding the preference side, even to the point of using a different setup for different razors. I realize that my question was rather all-encompassing, and personal preference plays a large role here like any aspect of wet shaving, but I was hoping for guidance similar to how the wiki gives guidelines on what hones are needed for sharpening. Maybe it is there and I missed it. I will stop in and visit the SRD guys and i'm sure they will set me straight.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Wow, the question you ask is akin to someone saying "tell me how to fly an airplane".

It is very complex and requires a real strop expert. I might suggest either doing some research on the forum or contact one of our fine vendors of strops and they could answer in person such an involved question.

Hmm... I hear SRD has a store 15 minutes down the road from you in Medina...
no shipping and handling. Perhaps sales tax... Do bring your razor in the trunk of the car.

You do not need a pasted strop for the most part. Still
I do like a submicron paste/ spray after honing.
So for paste I recommend 0.25 micron diamond on
the standard nylon webbing. Diamond at 0.25 micron
on the fabric side is fine enough that it is not
going to hurt an edge when used day in and day
out. Apply a little at a time...

If you are on a budget reverse the canvas and spray
the off side... strop after honing then return the primary
side to use. Remember that you cannot remove grit
so start fine you can switch to a coarser spray but not
a finer.

My gut feeling and opinion is that an initial spray of submicron bits
will seed the fabric strop and after the initial application the
razor will contribute sub micron bits of steel what will
oxidize and maintain the fabric/canvas perfectly.

I took the advice and visited SRD/Imperial Shaving. I was set straight and decided on the Rock Hard Wool Strop with webbing and .5 micron diamond spray to be used on the wool.

The honing plan is to use 4K, 8K and 16K Shapton GS, the wool with diamond spray, the webbing on the wool strop, then to the webbing and Latigo of my every-shave strop. When I feel it is warranted, I plan to freshen up the edge between stone honing sessions using the wool, webbing, and pre-shave prep with the every-shave strop.

Thanks for all the feedback and guidance,
Chris

A store 15 min. from you? You lucky, lucky *&#$%

From the honorable 'gunner:
Glen: 4/24/11
I thought the #1 reason pastes began to get a bad rap was the use of Balsa, many Newbs were told if you want to try it out, use a piece of Balsa, now don't get me wrong, it does work, but it works too well.. Combine an overly effective medium, and use by Newbs that over apply the product, and overuse the strop, and you get Harsh edges... These same people were also using the pastes in the exact same way as you stated in your wording, using a paste to make up for lacking skills wrongly, and it can lead to harsh edges .. Note that I said wrongly, as there are many people that do not prescribe to our (SRP) way of the hones, we are a very hone based group...Always keep in the back of your mind there is another group that gets to about what we consider a sharp blade (4K level) on hones, then brings it in from there on a loom strop and the older style pastes ie: Dovo Green, Red, Black... Now before you scoff at it I suggest you try it, Bruno mentioned this about the EU guys maybe 3 years ago in a post, I thought to myself "Huh that sounds all wrong" but I tried it out, and guess what... A smooth comfortable shave happened..
For reference, the softer the stropping surface the less the effect of the paste...

Felt
Webbing
Linen
Leather
Balsa
As you move through this list, IMHO you increase the possibility of getting a harsh edge...

Originally Posted by Lynn

I hear SRD has a store 15 minutes down the road from you in Medina, where you can actually go in and see the materials and talk about all the alternatives and options available to you. Some personal preference will play a part here, so actually being able to lay hands on all the stuff may be to your benefit.

Have fun.

Lynn you bust me up!!!! Although it's probably better the store isn't 15 min from me. You would never get me out.. Or I might be working for you.. What a concept, unlike the AOS stores where the employees don't know a thing about wet shaving. Hate to name drop but if I go into a store selling guns, I expect them to knowledge able about them. Just sayin''
Paul

Interesting. I do plan on trying other strops and hones, and of course other methods, but not until I can get proficient at a single setup and method. If I try something new but really mess things up, then I know I'll be able to restore things to the way they were( or at least reasonably close as judged by shaving...)

Originally Posted by pinklather

For reference, the softer the stropping surface the less the effect of the paste...

Felt
Webbing
Linen
Leather
Balsa
As you move through this list, IMHO you increase the possibility of getting a harsh edge...

With all due respect to Glen's list, I'd add that after using a pasted surface the user is likely to strop afterward with clean linen (or whatever material strop component is to your liking) and clean leather, which will usually tame the harshness IMO. If it doesn't on the first shave then subsequent shaves should smooth things out just by use.

BTW Lynn, if I lived 15 minutes from your store you probably wouldn't get rid of me, either.....