Strop paste question from a noob

[scorpion]

Hey there, this is my first post though I've been reading you guys for weeks - very nice community - good job.

Here's my question... I just bought a decent strop and I ordered some strop paste for the leather side. From what I gather, you should use a separate conditioner for the linen side. Anyone know of any national retailers that would sell a decent product? I live in the Seattle, WA area. Rite-Aid, Bartell, and Walgreen are the big drug stores in this area. I also need styptic and an alum block - I'm fairly confident Walgreens will have those items but I figured the linen strop paste is a bit more of an exotic item. Thanks!

[Zig]

Welcome, Scorpion

I just got some linen 'paste' from Classicshave.com It's the white paste used for linen. No instructions or anything. Some gents use ashes from wood fires. I'm sure others will have another source.
Regards,
Zig

[scorpion]

Thanks for the reply Zig. I was hoping to buy local, but if I can't find anything I'll order it online.

[Tony Miller]

Scorpion,

Did you buy strop "paste" or strop "dressing" Most strop pastes, except the Dovo yellow (fat) tubes are abrasive and really designed for paddle use. Strop dressings, or Dovo's yellow are for hanging strops and are more of a conditioner.
Most people use nothing on the linen so don't sweat it if you cannot find what you want.

Tony

[scorpion]

Hi Tony. I got the Thiers-Issard Razor Sharpening Paste to go with DOVO's Best Russian Leather Strop (hanging). Thanks for weighing in.

[Tony Miller]

I don't think I would use that paste on a hanging strop, at least not the leather part. It is a fairly coarse paste as pastes go. I'd stick to a paddle with that paste.

Tony