Section 8 - 4, How to apply abrasive paste to your strop.

How to apply abrasive paste to your strop -
Abrasive compounds come in three styles/consistencies. There are pastes, putties/somewhat pliable blocks, and liquids. The most common form of abrasive paste for use with straight razors is diamond paste.

A syringe of Amplex diamond paste, a tube of TI white “putty-like” paste, and .5 Micron Green Chrome Oxide…..


Since diamond paste is the most commonly used, for this example, I am going to use .5-micron Amplex diamond paste. The “Grade #1/2 MB” on the box below stands for ½ or .5 micron.


Refreshing a heavily used pasted strop, or starting a new pasted strop is done in the same manner, and is quick, and easy.

Step 1 - Select the proper side or strop in which you wish to use the diamond paste, and make sure it is properly marked so you don’t mix up which paste is where


Step 2 – Apply a small amount of paste across the center of the strop. In this example, I probably used a little too much. It’s better to have not enough than too much as you can always add more if needed, however adding too much is wasteful, and diamond paste isn’t cheap.








Step 3 – Take the area of your hand under your thumb in the palm of your hand, and lightly spread the paste across the strop…






Step 4 – You should now have diamond paste in the palm (in the meaty part under the thumb) of your hand and the paste should be a little more evenly distributed. Now, take the paste on your palm, and begin to work it across the entire strop.






Step 5 – Keep working the paste into the strop using circular motions until the paste is complexly and evenly distributed and most of the past has settled into the strop. You’ll know you’re finished, as it will seem like there is nothing more you can really do, as well… there isn’t you’re done! Ideally let your newly pasted strop sit for a day or so, so the paste isn’t too wet (it will still work fine, but it’ll put a fair amount of paste on whatever razor you are using on it) and mission accomplished – go wash your hands!

PROCEED TO THE NEXT SECTION OF THE GUIDE - Section 9 - 1, How to hold the razor, and the importance of blade angle…

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Is this process the same for hanging strops?
Do all sides of your strop need to stay pasted at all times or just one side and or sometimes? Basically, is this a routine that any strop that is being used needs on all sides, or is it something other than what you would use every time?
thanks,
s/s