Boeker Slate & Russian-Leather Paddle Strop

[Alum of Potash]

This strop has been on the BullGoose website for a while, and being curious, I finally picked one up. The directions are in German, which I don't read, so what I can divine from the Babylon translator is that the Russian leather side is for daily use, which involves 10-12 laps. The slate side is to be used every three months or so, to bring a new edge to the razor, and also involves 10-12 laps, followed by 10-12 laps on the leather. And although a circular motion is to be recommended for both sides, I will assume that this is a mistranslation, especially for the leather side, and that the slate side should be used edge-first, as in honing. The surfaces are approximately 1-1/2" x 8". What I find curious is how few daily laps are being recommended for the leather, since 50 laps or so are often recommended for daily use with a much larger hanging strop. Anyone know why this is?

Edit: I've just spent the past half-hour lapping the stone w/150x w/d sandpaper, and I am pretty sure that the stone is identical to the Mueller's water grindstone, from Bavaria, and which is nominally rated at 4-5k. My luck being what it is, there was a deep scratch running from left to right across the width of the stone, so it took a bit more time to lap this out. A relatively soft stone nonetheless. Hard to keep from splashing the leather during the process (three tiny drip marks), so I am wondering if water is really in order when honing with it or if it should be used dry. The Mueller's stone is clearly marked "water only--never oil!"

 

[Alum of Potash]

Here's the Babylon translation, on how to use the thing, for your added amusement:

[FONT=&amp] Basically you should shave the razors before each pull on the calf leather adjusts itself perfectly = "leathery", in order to establish the deduction of the blade and thus a perfetes smoothest to guarantee the blade. At the "leathers" the knife is flat, with blade and Klingenrucken on the calf leather adjusts itself perfectly placed and then (Important) with the Klingenrucken pulled in advance of the leather. The "leathers" takes place in a circular motion, to the complete blade of the Raiermessers to reach. Each metal side should be 10 to 12 times as described above on the leather be considered.[/FONT]


[FONT=&amp]After about 3 months use is a deduction of the blade on slate necessary. If possible, one should before the first use, the surface of the Schiefersteins Schleifpaper with a fine grit (150) slightly roughen and wet with water. The deduction of the blade on the wet slate happens (Important) in advance with the blade. In turn, is the knife flat on-hook and both Klingenseiten change will be in the deducted on the slate. Also this process occurs in a circular motion and should be between 10 and 12 times for each metal side be repeated. After the deduction on the slate it is essential you have to have the straight razors again leathers. We continue to wish you a lot of joy in the use of its Böker razor.[/FONT]