Straight Razor Honing - Part 5: Pasted Strop

[Two2Curious]

Thanks for the videos, they are great! I do have one question (ok, two questions), Tony's webpage only list the hanging leather stropes, but you use the paddle. Who else makes a good 4 sided paddle similar to the one you are using in the video? or do you recommend the free hanging style?

[ToxIkWaste]

@Two2Curious Unfortunately Tony no longer makes the 4-sided and I have no idea where to get another. LeeValley sells a 2 sided leather strop that is similar and I hear works quite well. If you google it I'm sure you'll find it.

I've always heard to never use abrasive pastes on a hanging strop; it's just to easy to screw up the edge. You need the leather bonded to a flat surface.

[Two2Curious]

@ToxIkWaste The closest one I can find is the Thiers-Issard one, its definitily on the expensive side , looks overpriced. Have you heard anything about it? vintagebladesllc sells it

[ToxIkWaste]

@Two2Curious I have not heard of it. It is pretty expensive, too. I sent you a link to the one from LeeValley in PM. It doesn't cost nearly as much.

[KingGeorge24]

What are those pasted strops made out of?

[ToxIkWaste]

@KingGeorge24 wood base, leather surface, diamond abrasive paste.

[ToxIkWaste]

used to be a fairly invested hobby. sold some razors and did honing for other. but that was back when I had lots of time, so I haven't in a while.

[karlbuttler]

Do you do this as a Buisness?? or Hobby?? you seem to know what you are doing..

[mikebrisebois]

Thanks for this. Very helpful. You love the straight razor as much as I do! Nice to see I'm not the only one.

[factChecker01]

This is a really nice series. It shows that honing is a skilled craft that is practically an art to be proud of,

[ToxIkWaste]

@factChecker01 Thanks! :)

[cabaretampere]

You need to make a part 6 where you cut your cock off in one swoop

[kraig800i]

when is a razor too far gone for recovering ? I thinking of buying one of ebay but they seem to be in various states of repair.

[lobzdik]

should you use a pasted strop every shave, or just after honing? and normal strop for every shave? thank you

[ToxIkWaste]

@lobzdik A plain leather strop for each shave. A pasted strop just after honing or to 'refresh' the razor when it starts to feel dull.

[PizzaCakeSteak]

should I go to 0.5 micron CrO after a chinese 12k stone?

[ToxIkWaste]

@PizzaCakeSteak That's entirely up to you. I'd suggest trying both and see which you prefer.

[PizzaCakeSteak]

@ToxIkWaste after a while of working with it, It turns out that the CrO pasted strop works great coming off a 12k chinese hone and the pasted strop also serves great as a touchup when the blade just starts pulling on whiskers.

by the way where did you get that awesome 4 sided pasted strop? can you make one for me?

[ToxIkWaste]

@PizzaCakeSteak I got the strop from Tony Miller over at thewellshavedgentleman. He unfortunately no longer sells them though.

[cortes1911]

I'm going to get a straight razor soon but how many shaves can you get until you need to sharpen again?

[ToxIkWaste]

@cortes1911 depends... on the quality of the razor, the keenness of the edge, the thickness of your growth, how sharp you like your razor.

[mwoolner]

@cortes1911 also on your technique... which is likely going to be not so great for the begining.

[tahbriz]

What are you wiping the blade with? It sounds really crinkly, like notebook paper or optics wipe.

Thanks for the tutorials, they are helpful and good quality.

[ToxIkWaste]

@tahbriz it's just a cheap napkin, nothing special. Glad the vids helped :)

[maxbify]

wow youre good ;D

[MrXxandrew]

What kind of paste do you use?

[ToxIkWaste]

@MrXxandrew Dunno. My paddle strop came pre-pasted. It's diamond paste, that's about all I know.

[XshlomoX]

*Sniff* "Yeah, it SMELLS sharp"

Hahaha

[uddoss]

i tried it with cat hair..it's not cutting it..the next person..i c with long hair..needs to give me some :)

[uddoss]

thanx 4 the video and the tips..i am very interested in blades and straight razors..i am coming from knives and i got me a $10 straight razor too..i got 4 my knives an 8000 grid belgischer brocken sharpening stone..i use it with water..and i took a leather belt and made my own stropping device..with crome oxide..it works all fine 4 me..now i wanna know..if my razor can cut a hanging hair too? bad thing..i have no long hair in the house..may be i need to grab the cat to get some hair :)

[SohotskiTM]

Your voice sounds exactly like mine when I talk into a microphone. Its erie.

[dathok]

Your videos were incredibly helpful! Thanks a lot!

[2nd2nonetv1]

I would love 2 order a very very sharp razor from you, how can I do that?

[ToxIkWaste]

@2nd2nonetv1 Sorry, i don't sell razors anymore. But you can find excellent stuff on straightrazorplace[dot]com classifieds

[Dustybuds88]

I just bought my first straight razor and was hoping to learn something from your videos, but i find it incredibly difficult to understand what you are talking about most of the time, definitely not for beginners

[shavefan12]

I don't really like paddle strops. Rather than using one, could you just use a 16k stone instead and then just use a .5 micron paste on a hanging strop, then finish on the unpasted side?

[ToxIkWaste]

@shavefan12 Of course you can. There is no set way a razor should be finished, the only requirement is that you have an edge you can comfortably shave with. Many people finish on higher grit stones (eg. barber hones) rather than pasted mediums.

[shavefan12]

@ToxIkWaste

followup question for you.

Can you go from the 8k hone to a 0.5 micron pasted strop, then to a normal leather strop and then shave?

[ToxIkWaste]

@shavefan12 I have a 1µ I use first, but going from 8k to 0.5µ should be just fine.

[Akseouljah213]

how can you tell the grit of your stone?

[ToxIkWaste]

@Akseouljah213 it's usually printed on them or at least when you buy it.

[Akseouljah213]

@ToxIkWaste Yeah that's the thing I didn't buy it and it's not printed. Is there a color indication or a feel indication? Share your expertise.

[ToxIkWaste]

@Akseouljah213 if you don't know the grit, it'll probably be hard to find out. You can't really feel it out as even a fine stone may feel rough if it's porous.

[Akseouljah213]

@ToxIkWaste Can my local hardware store help me on that? Can any professional identify the grit?

[ToxIkWaste]

@Akseouljah213 There's probably some scientific method that can determine the grit of a stone, but I doubt it'll be cheap. You best bet is probably just to try and find the exact same stone somewhere that has it labeled.

[lesterismyname]

I am interested in purchasing a Straight Razor. I am just wondering how many tools are needed to maintain the blade. From what I have learned, a stop and paste are required before shave. So are the Hones required if purchasing a new blade? What would be a "recommended" starter kit? :S

[ToxIkWaste]

@lesterismyname For day to day shaving only a regular leather strop is required. A pasted strop or barber hone is used to "refresh" a razor that is getting dull but already has a bevel set. To rebuild the bevel is when many hones are required.

Check out the community at straightrazorplace[dot]com and I'm sure you'll find loads of useful advice from the members there. I certainly have.

[LSUTIGER560307]

Very helpful series. I need to hone my razors and felt I needed to review. Thanks!

[LSUTIGER560307]

Very helpful series. I need to hone my razors and felt I needed to review. Thanks!

[loosertubesucks]

where can i find a pasted strop like that my friend?

i looked on straighrazordesigns, but did see anything....hmmm.

lots of other kinds but none like the one you used in the vid.

[ToxIkWaste]

@loosertubesucks thewellshavedgentleman[dot]com has the 4-sided paddle, but (at the time of writing) it's only the wooden base; you'll have to acquire and apply the leather and pastes yourself.

[doncastellanos]

I don't understand why you said only thing left to do is strop up and shave? Isnt it ready to shave? I have a nagura 6000/8000 and it says it doesn't work on anything less. Would you recommend making a slurry with it on the 4k?

[ToxIkWaste]

@doncastellanos Stropping with a plain strop is essential before any shave. I probably could go without it if I shaved immediately after using the pasted strop, but it's good practice to do so anyway.

Ideally a slurry would be made with a chunk of the exact same stone. You're probably alright to use the nagura on the 4k though. I just wouldn't make a slurry with a coarser stone than what you're honing on.

[UglymanUSA]

are less microns good or are higher microns better"

[ToxIkWaste]

@UglymanUSA Smaller micron measure = smaller size = sharper edge. All that's really needed is 1µ and 0.5µ though. Anything finer is pushing over sharp.

[nsw1535]

@ToxIkWaste What do you mean pushing over sharp? Is there a such thing as too sharp?

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 It's really a matter of preference, but a razor may be so sharp that the shaves may be uncomfortable or difficult.

[tearexeat]

I have a norton 4/8k, and a henckels and hammesfahr razor, I'm wondering if it should be able to pass a HHT after being on the 8000.

Another question, i'm acquiring equipment right now, i have an illinois strop, a norton 4/8k, and a 25/2 cowhide, i plan on getting a 1000 just like you have, but what should i put in in between the 8k and the bare strop, i was thinking of making a balsa version of the strop you have, or maybe pasting one of my leather strops with chrom ox? what do you suggest?

[ToxIkWaste]

@tearexeat passing the HTT off of 8k is possible, but it varies with many factors.

For between 8k and bare strop you have a lot of options. 12k stone, 0.5µ chromium oxide or diamond would all work fine.

If you want to make your own pasted strop, go ahead it's not too difficult, just make sure the strop is affixed to a flat surface (you don't want it hanging if it has abrasives). Also, apply your pastes sparingly, don't go overboard. Too much paste will not work at all.

[Swiftlightful]

@ToxIkWaste Hey there good videos; Just have one question my Dovo straight is Dull and doesn't sharpen anymore on it's leather strop, and pulls my skin. What stone should i use to get it back to it's sharp edge, A Pasted Strop if so what kind. I'm new to Straight Razor maintenance and any help will be appreciated.

[ToxIkWaste]

@Swiftlightful You might be able to just refresh it with a pasted stop. This is the easiest and quickest method, but it only polishes. So if the bevel/edge needs any real work, you'll need a hone. The Norton 4k/8k stone is pretty much the standard starter stone.

Also, since you're new, you may just want to have someone experienced hone your blade instead. That way you can be sure it will be shave sharp. straightrazorplace[dot]com has many reasonably priced honing services in the classifieds.

[tearexeat]

love your videos, clear and informative

[loosertubesucks]

that was a good video man, thanks. are those norton stones?

[ToxIkWaste]

@loosertubesucks Only the 4k/8k combination is a Norton.

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 my paddle strop came pre-pasted, but I'm pretty sure you can find some on ebay.

[nsw1535]

@ToxIkWaste

Ok thanks, I only found .50 for $3.50, and at a classic shaving for $16.00 for the .25

[hcrouchjr]

@nsw1535

@nsw1535 The bottom of the page at:

classicshaving[dot]com/Razor_S­trops_Hones.html

They have it all, .25, .5, 1.0, 9.0, paddle strops, water stones, sharpening pastes, etc.

[sikuriekeko]

Bravo, thanks so much for your series of videos! 

[conquistisi]

I was thinking of making the pasted strop out of an old chair leg. Is the material on the outside balsa. You had mentioned that you were using the balsa with cromium oxide but not with the diamond paste. Thanks much for the great vid.

[ToxIkWaste]

@conquistisi I've only used balsa with chromium oxide, not yet diamond paste, but it should work. I basically just glued a piece of balsa to a small tile, then lapped it like I would a hone to make the surface as flat as possible.

you can also find a two-sided leather paddle strop on leevalley[dot]com

[conquistisi]

@ToxIkWaste , will do, thanks again.

[grmpff]

Great instruction. Thanks!

[attila350]

Totally awsom,I"ve been shaving with a straight razor for decades,(at least two)

and thats the best instructional video I"ve ever seen,great technique,Id love to shave with that razor,all you need is the next part,stropping

Really great

[stevenrstanek]

Awesome video.  Thanks for all the info.

[nsw1535]

Cool video, but I have a couple questions; where did you buy that strop; for how much? Would this work with a normal pocket knife? And where did you buy the paste, and what grit is it? Thanks alot.

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 The person I bought the paddle strop from unfortunately no longer makes them. you can however order a 2-sided leather strop and some chromium oxide at leevalley[dot]com, and also find diamond pastes on ebay.

The diamond paste is 3µ, 1µ, 0.5µ, and 0.25µ

I suppose you could use it to finish pocket knives, but I never do.

[nsw1535]

@ToxIkWaste

Thanks. What diamond paste would you recommend if I had to get two?

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 The 1µ and 0.5µ. I never use the 3µ on razors as it's even more coarse than my Norton 8000 stone, and 0.25µ may be a little too fine.

[nsw1535]

@ToxIkWaste Is .25 so fine it is hard to sharpen? Or just so sharp not necessary?

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 0.25µ is so fine that it may polish an edge so sharp that it may be uncomfortable or difficult to shave with.

I personally usually stop at 0.5µ, but I have had shavers before who loved the edge from 0.25µ.

[nsw1535]

@ToxIkWaste So is .25 a bad thing? I might get the combo of .5 Micron, with .25, or 1 micron with .5 micron. Thanks.

[ToxIkWaste]

@nsw1535 like I said, the 1µ and 0.5µ are probably your best bet.

[cbkenison]

All my knowledge is second hand, and correct me if I'm wrong.

Shouldn't the hair be slowly brought upon the blade?

Also, isn't no sound while clipping the hair better?

Video was well done.

[ToxIkWaste]

@cbkenison

For the prototypical HHT, yes, that is what should be done and what should happen, but in reality it's usually different. I've never had the hair just completely shear and fall, it always pops off a little. Whether or not there's a 'ping' sound varies from blade to blade.

[OzMee]

I've watched your full set of how-to's and I must thank you for being directly informative. I'm an Alaskan who spends much time away from the city and general stores so maintaining a proper edge with which to shave is a necessity. Thanks again.

[ToxIkWaste]

@OzMee glad i could help :)

[vvtliphil]

watched this series of vids, very helpfull. Am new to straight razors, how often should I be honing and stropping assuming I shave everyday to everyother day.

[ToxIkWaste]

Check out some of the other comments, I've answered nearly the same question earlier.

[dwhelan88]

Chrome is the thinking mans toy.

[sharpkifeuser]

can you also use knives on this strop with all the pastes on it with knives to?

[ToxIkWaste]

Yeah, but I usually only use the 3µ, and occasionally 1µ. I don't use anything finer because I'm not trying to get super sharp edges on my knives, and even on the coarser pastes, it's usually only a few strokes.

[sharpkifeuser]

ok where did you get the paste from?

[ToxIkWaste]

I got my pasted strop from thewellshavedgentleman[dot]com­, but you can get just the pastes from ebay.

[G2116]

Where did you buy the hone??? and is there any dvd that would get me started in straight blade shaving?? thank for the videos it was great!!!

[ToxIkWaste]

Most of my hones I got from leevalley[dot]com

World of straight razors DVD from Lynn Abrahms is fantastic. I think it's available on classicshaving[dot]com

[peanutbuttrstrangle]

"Sharp enough to split atoms" I laughed so hard I was concerned.

[kiokoidrillow]

Fu%&$% awesome man that's real sharp, i like your razor, which brand is it?i heard that .25 micron diamond paste is too harsh, so what can you tell about it?

[ToxIkWaste]

The razor is a vintage Bismarck, nothing special.

Some people find .25µ harsh, but others like the sharpness. I myself prefer 0.5µ chromium oxide.

[vxAREKxv]

nice job 5 stars

[shidox6]

How much I must wait for - dry diamond paste

[Tonorb]

Is there leather on your square strop or is the diamond paste directly on the wood? If it is leather where did you get the leather to put on Tony's block? Also where did you pick up your diamond paste? Thanks.

[ToxIkWaste]

It has leather on it. I also had mine pre-pasted when I ordered it. The whole thing came as one, I didn't add anything extra to it.

[88forlive]

can i postmail my razor, so you can sharpen it for me? ^^

[sskebinstand]

Hope you respond to this, aside from the cost of the razor itself, what would be the ball park monetary cost for the 1,000, 4,000, 8,000 and strop?

[ToxIkWaste]

My 220/1000 grit stone cost about $30. My Norton 4000/8000 cost about $80.

Hones generally get more expensive the finer the grit, or, the more exotic the medium.

Strops will run anywhere from $40 to $100+

Take a look around on classicshaving[dot]com and you should get an idea.

[ToxIkWaste]

Ohh, also...

It may seem expensive, but if you're just using the stuff with razors, they'll all easily last decades (properly taken care of, of course).

[HiroseKiyoshi]

For maintenance, besides using a leather strop before each shave, do you just use pasted strops to regain that fine edge, or do you also rehone it on the 8k? And how often would you do this?

[ToxIkWaste]

Regular leather strop before each shave, as always.

When the razor starts feeling a little rough, I'll bring it back to the pasted strop for some 'refreshing'. If it still feels off after that I'll go back to the hones, but that's not very often.

There really isn't a set time I refresh/rehone my razors, it's just when they aren't shaving as well as they usually do that I go back to pasted strops/hones.

[TallGabe30]

great in depth demo!

[onodevo]

Great series! Thanks for sharing.