People sharpen straights with diamond paste only?

[Estroncio]

I read that many people use only diamond paste to maintain their straihts indefinitely with 3 microns, 1 micron and 0.5 micron.
Others say that is not possible.
I would like to listen to experiences of people who do

Thanks

Dioni

[Suzuki]

I read that many people use only diamond paste to maintain their straihts indefinitely with 3 microns, 1 micron and 0.5 micron.
Others say that is not possible.
I would like to listen to experiences of people who do

Thanks

Dioni

I also use .25 for the final sharpening.

I've primarily used diamond pasts on several razors over the past year or so without issue. I've also used diamond pastes to sharpen new razors or e-bay razors in good shape with good results.

That being said, I do have some finishing/barbers hones that I also use on some of my razors from time to time.

I think its fair to say that you can maintain an edge with abrasive pastes for a very long time, but I can't conclusively say that this is something that can be done indefinitely.

Hopefully some experienced shavers will add their $0.02.

[crankymoose]

I have been using 1.0 and .5 on a paddle strop from Tony Miller, and while for me anyhow I don't think it can be done indefinitely it does seem to add considerable time before they need to see a regular hone. Of course ymmv and things that will obviously effect that are each razor is somewhat different and how much usage you do with each razor will effect that as well. I am sure though there will be others who have more experience then me but that is what works for me after the razor is initally tuned in and to just maintain that tuned it feel.

[FloppyShoes]

Some razors I've recieved (NOS and Ebay specials) have little or no bevel to start with. In this case I think it would be dumb not to use a hone. Once the bevel is there, uniform and clean, I think it's possible to maintain it indefinitely with the right pasted strops. The strops should be absolutely flat and used with no pressure. Curved paddles, hanging or bumpy strops may cause the edge to become oval, thus causing the need to flatten with a hone.

[Estroncio]

With the hone easily achieve a straight shave. But it lacks a little that can not reach. I thought that pasta could reach that point that I lack.

Thanks for your responses

Dioni

[Suzuki]

With the hone easily achieve a straight shave. But it lacks a little that can not reach. I thought that pasta could reach that point that I lack.

Thanks for your responses

Dioni

If you're just trying to get that little extra smoothness, a pasted strop can help (.5 or .25 diamond paste or .5 chromium oxide), but a good finishing stone/hone should be able to do the same thing.

Pasted strops are easier to use (for most guys) than a hone for some reason, which is why they're often suggested for newbies.

As stated above, the flatter the strop, the better, which is why some folks use wood (generally balsa, but other types work as well) as the surface for their pastes (especially with the finer pastes).

Hope this helps.

[ScottS]

So, if I buy a Tony Miller shave ready Dovo with a hanging strop, and a Hand American Bench hone, with a magnetic leather pad and the 0.5 micron paste, I'm set for a while?? My plan would be to go back to HA later and pick up two glass plates, the film, the glue, and the two courser pastes. Would I then be able to skip the hone??

[Thebigspendur]

Eventually you will need to use a hone unless you go the sandpaper route which some do use. However if you start with a shave ready razor you should be able to go a long time before a hone is required. You just need to stay on top of things and as soon as the shave quality or comfort level begins to deteriorate you need to use the pasted strop. If you let it go too much then you will need to use the hone.

[gglockner]

With diamond pastes going up to grits as coarse as sandpaper, you would be able to restore an edge and build a new bevel. So that being said, I really think you would be missing out on something. That would be a big chunk of the heritage of the straight razor. I am not saying you have to learn to use a barber hone, but it really is a part of the history of straight razors. Some day there may come a machine made by Magic Chef or somebody, where all you do is stick the razor in and pull it out and it's ready to shave. Maybe an automatic strop machine. Sorry Tony, but that's progress! If you are just getting started, by all means start out with a pasted strop if your razor is shave ready. It will keep it going for a long time. But give yourself the chance and the challenge to see what it is like to do it the old fashion way. Even if you use newer hones like the Norton or even Spyderco, your are still honing your own razor.

Glen

[joel]

3 Micron diamond paste is equivalent to about a 4,000-5,000 grit hone and diamond pastes cut REALLY quickly. If you've got a 4 sided paddle strop with 3 micron, 1 micron, .5 micron, and .25 micron for NORMAL honing/maintenance you will NEVER need anything else. Now, I say "normal" maintenance, as if you ding the edge, or REALLY let it get dull - 3 micron isn't going to cut it. Now, you COULD theoretically use ONLY diamond pastes if you had some wild burr - and use the 15 and 30 micron grits for really serious stuff - but when it gets to that serious a honing, I think a hone is best - as it's hard and flat... so it'll set a flat bevel. Even a paddle strop has some give (leather isn't nearly as hard as stone) and any time you're setting a bevel, I think it's best to do with a hone.... it COULD be done with pastes - but I think it would be as effective, and would be kind of pointless.

Provided you get a razor that is pre-honed however, and provided you never ding it up, or really let it go by the wayside, if you had a 3 micron, 1 micron, .5 micron, and .25 micron paddle - you'd never need a hone. Most fellas who are into straights will say it's blasphemy - however most haven't really tried it, and prefer hones anyway! Truth is - hones are more "old school" and most fellas interested in straight razors are doing it for a throwback to days of yore, and high-tech super abrasives don't have as much heart, soul, or "cool" as a rare, expensive, neat old rock.

Many old time straight razor users will argue till their blue in the face about NEEDING a hone eventually -however look at fellas honing planes/chisels etc... a TON of fellas ONLY use diamond pastes to hone their chisels etc - and they're removing a lot more steel than we are.... if they can do it - we certainly could/can as well.

[Tony Miller]

It will keep it going for a long time. But give yourself the chance and the challenge to see what it is like to do it the old fashion way.

Glen

Pasted strop were being made and used in the 1800s as an alternate choice to hones which in the 1800s were all natural stones. One could argue that true barber hones came a bit later as most commonly found models are early to mid 1900s.

I do still feel thought that a real hone is needed at times but pastes will carry one a long time till the hone is called for.

Tony

[Estroncio]

My thought is to make a combined work. Stone to restore the bevel and pasta for the rest and maintenance. With stone not get a shave ready. Shave but not with the sharpness I want.

I am looking to buy diamond paste in USA, tedpella.com has good prices sent via fedex but it is very expensive and very bad service in Spain.

In classichaving not have 3-micron why I seek an alternative. I bought them at other times and they have excellent service.

Greetings

Dioni

[Suzuki]

If you call the folks at Ted Pella, they are willing to use other shipping methods - I often get them to send stuff to Canada (much closer/easier than shipping to Spain, I know) just using regular mail, which is much cheaper.

I've used their diamond pastes with good results.

[Estroncio]

If you call the folks at Ted Pella, they are willing to use other shipping methods - I often get them to send stuff to Canada (much closer/easier than shipping to Spain, I know) just using regular mail, which is much cheaper.

I've used their diamond pastes with good results.

4 days I have been sending mails with tedpella. It is very difficult to buy, I have agreed to send by USPS priority mail. It is not pro forma invoice. I send a piece of excell "I do not excel." That if I want to pay with visa go to the page "on the page I can not indicate they send by USPS"

:mad: I do not understand anything ... I am on the verge of an attack of nerves.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Suzuki]

4 days I have been sending mails with tedpella. It is very difficult to buy, I have agreed to send by USPS priority mail. It is not pro forma invoice. I send a piece of excell "I do not excel." That if I want to pay with visa go to the page "on the page I can not indicate they send by USPS"

:mad: I do not understand anything ... I am on the verge of an attack of nerves.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Just give them a call - they're very helpful over the phone, which is what I did.

[Estroncio]

Just give them a call - they're very helpful over the phone, which is what I did.

Not dominoes both the English language as to call by phone, in fact write with the help of the dictionary ...:001_rolle They are very kind and the products are of very good quality because they are used for scientific applications and the price is very good.

Greetings from Barcelona

Dioni

[iron maiden]

So, I'm here waiting on one of Tony's 4 sided strops.

As per Joel's recommendations, I figure I need a 3, 1, .50 and a .25 micron pasted sides

But which will be the better .50 pasted side?

I've heard the green oxide makes the razor silky smooth compared to the .50 diamond, even smoother than the .25 diamond...any suggestions or clarifications would be appreciated.