I see some with, some without.
What's the advantage of it. What can you do in lieu of having a strop with the cotton strop on it?
What's the advantage of it. What can you do in lieu of having a strop with the cotton strop on it?
Importance of cotton/ cloth?
- Thread starter rickboone1
- Start date
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=102413&highlight=slickness
edit: To those who read what was here, I found where the post is at.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1426034&postcount=8
I would add a #4 though. Even though its almost imperceptible, the strop gives the razor that "smoothness" we can't define or quantify. But for some of us, the strop also imparts that almost imperceptible smoothness quality we seek so badly. You need a leather piece to get this smoothness out of the strop. It won't come from linen/cotton. The final edge off of a strop is a product of the leather you use, and some people prefer one leather over another. However, most people who have been doing this for a very long time move towards horse for that almost imperceptible additional smoothness the horse gives. Whether its from the knife steel effect by realigning those teeth that don't really exist, or from some other reason (could be in our heads), its the best stuff I've tried. Sorry horses...
Last edited:
IMO the cotton/linen is absolutely necessary for the reasons that leighton stated. I took it a step further and pasted mine with Dovo White Paste which really improved the effects of stropping.
White pasted cotton helps maintain an edge, the leather keeps it smooth.
I never noticed much effect of unpasted cotton....YMMV
I never noticed much effect of unpasted cotton....YMMV
- Thread starter
- #5
So, you all are suggesting to paste the cotton? What if I have a balsa block? Would this subsituite?
What is the difference between, Crox and Dovo white paste?
I never said that. Seraphim said that. I think cotton is definitely better than not having the 2nd half of a stropping setup. I think linen is better, but I don't think cotton is that inferior. I could be wrong. But if you want to be sure, buy a linen piece. If you have a TM or SRD 3", you can get one from Tony.
Crox is usually .5 micron in abrasiveness. Its used to touch up a razor or put the finishing touches in a honing progression. White paste is basically chalk IIRC. Really has none to very little abrasive qualities.
Yes, Crox is quite abrasive (well, as far as not wanting to use it everyday...)
Dovo white paste is very mildly abrasive, use it everyday before a shave, and you will be a happy camper.
Thank you both for the info 
Last edited:
I think your #4 is inclusive in the #3 from that thread.
I never really felt much benefit was derived from my cotton strop when used in conjunction with my red latigo strop. However, the linen seems to make a huge difference over my TM horsehide. I rarely use a paste of any kind.
No, I don't know many guys that recommend this. I'm not disagreeing with Craig because I've never tried it, but that was the first recommendation to that effect that I've seen. I think the general consensus is that using pastes will cause a convexing effect on the edge. I'm thinking the balsa would offset some of those effects, but I've not gotten into the pastes enough to know from experience. I prefer stones for sharpening edges. None of the pastes that I've used have really been able to help my edges much. In fact, they make them harsher. And, stropping on my linen/horsehide strop has been tremendous for edge maintenance. In fact, I've brought back some slightly degrading edges back to excellent through stropping alone.
A note on linen and cotton: I remember reading not too long ago in a Barbers Manual that horsehide was inadequate for drawing out the edge necessary for a barber, but was fine for the public. I'm wondering if this is why linen/horsehide combos are so prevalent.
Leather is best smooth the edge to shaving sharpness.
Linen or cotton or rougher leather will actually sharpen an edge.
The same rougher materials will sharpen even faster if they are coated with pastes. Diamond, chromium oxide, chalk, are just three effective pastes with chalk having the least sharpening power.
All of these razor edge improvers offer different degrees of sharpening refinement.
To know which one works on your razor and for you, you really have to test them all.
The most commonly produced strops in the past offered a combination of leather on the one side and linen on the other.
As for my own preferences, I definatley like horse hide or horse shell as a finshing strop. As for linen or cotton, I would have to say I prefer linen. But I have found that the modern hard wool and rough leather strops are maybe more effective.
I see pastes as a replacement for a hone and don't think they are a part of the stropping process but an adjunct to the honing process and in some cases a direct replacement.
Linen or cotton or rougher leather will actually sharpen an edge.
The same rougher materials will sharpen even faster if they are coated with pastes. Diamond, chromium oxide, chalk, are just three effective pastes with chalk having the least sharpening power.
All of these razor edge improvers offer different degrees of sharpening refinement.
To know which one works on your razor and for you, you really have to test them all.
The most commonly produced strops in the past offered a combination of leather on the one side and linen on the other.
As for my own preferences, I definatley like horse hide or horse shell as a finshing strop. As for linen or cotton, I would have to say I prefer linen. But I have found that the modern hard wool and rough leather strops are maybe more effective.
I see pastes as a replacement for a hone and don't think they are a part of the stropping process but an adjunct to the honing process and in some cases a direct replacement.
Last edited:
This is my belief as well
I dug this up looking for the purposes of linen on strops because I've seen so many differing viewpoints.
Glad I did!
Glad I did!
