Newb - Thiers Issard 4-Sided Paddle question

[JavaDave4]

Sorry for the very basic question. I just got into the game and picked up the Thiers Issard 4-Sided Paddle strop from ClassicShaving.com. It came with NO directions or info. Actually, they sent me info for a 2-sided strop.

Question 1: What are the actual grits on this strop and with which color?

Question 2: ..and this one really shows my newb-ness.... do you actually need to use pastes? If so, do you need a different one for each of the 3 sides (not including the fine leather)? The diamond pastes seem really expensive.

Question 3: Do I need to use all sides of the strop?

Again, sorry for the basics.

JavaDave4

 

[ouch]

Wow, they weren't very helpful were they? Did they at least say what type of leathers the surfaces were? A link may help.

Four sided paddles are a handy tool. I have one with three horsehide sides and a latigo, the latter used unpasted. I can't think of an easier and safer way to learn to strop than on a paddle- you don't have to worry about rolling your edge from a too-slack strop.

You can try a variety of different pastes, but I'd suggest leaving one side plain.

 

[huntmol]

This the one?

Thiers-Issard 4-Sided Paddle Straight Razor Strop 8-1/2" x 1-1/4"

Thiers-Issard presents this fine 4 sided paddle from France.
8-1/2" x 1-1/2" stropping surfaces. Four sides with four different leathers.
Black, brown and tan leathers and a smooth red leather for finishing.

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/5221759.htm

 

[JavaDave4]

Wow, they weren't very helpful were they? Did they at least say what type of leathers the surfaces were? A link may help.

Four sided paddles are a handy tool. I have one with three horsehide sides and a latigo, the latter used unpasted. I can't think of an easier and safer way to learn to strop than on a paddle- you don't have to worry about rolling your edge from a too-slack strop.

You can try a variety of different pastes, but I'd suggest leaving one side plain.

Nope. No information on type or coarseness of the leathers. Nothing. I can't even find the information on-line. Do you match the paste to the leather? Can I just use one side with paste? Which side?

 

[JavaDave4]

This the one?

Thiers-Issard 4-Sided Paddle Straight Razor Strop 8-1/2" x 1-1/4"

Thiers-Issard presents this fine 4 sided paddle from France.
8-1/2" x 1-1/2" stropping surfaces. Four sides with four different leathers.
Black, brown and tan leathers and a smooth red leather for finishing.

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/5221759.htm

Yah, but as you can see, this information doesn't provide any info on the leathers except the colors. Fortunately, I can see the colors without the text.

 

[JPDyson]

Perhaps not as helpful as first-hand info, but with Tony Miller's old 4-siders, I believe the idea was to put the coarsest paste on the darkest leather. So but your gritty stuff on black, middle on brown, lightest on tan, and leave the red bare.

 

[Ronan the BARBERian]

Sorry for the very basic question. I just got into the game and picked up the Thiers Issard 4-Sided Paddle strop from ClassicShaving.com. It came with NO directions or info. Actually, they sent me info for a 2-sided strop.

Question 1: What are the actual grits on this strop and with which color?

Question 2: ..and this one really shows my newb-ness.... do you actually need to use pastes? If so, do you need a different one for each of the 3 sides (not including the fine leather)? The diamond pastes seem really expensive.

Question 3: Do I need to use all sides of the strop?

Again, sorry for the basics.

JavaDave4

According to their UK disti description: the New 4-sided leather covered paddles strop (bed size each approx. 34 x 217 mm.) with wooden handle. 4 different-coloured leather grades with grade indicated at end of handle. Ideal for multi paste and diamond paste stropping regimes.

Hopefully this link is what you need about the different TI Diamond Pastes and their recommended uses.

http://www.thiers-issard.co.uk/SharpeninginstructionsDiamond.pdf

 

[JavaDave4]

So it does not matter which paste goes on what side? Why do they indicate the courseness on the edge of the paddle near the handle? (1-4 dots).

Also, if I were to get only one paste, which do you recommend?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[JavaDave4]

Thanks. That's a huge help. Is the paddle useful at all without pastes? (not including the unpasted side).

 

[JavaDave4]

Thanks. I saw this before. Unfortunatly, it again offers no advice about the padde itself.

 

[JPDyson]

Thanks. I saw this before. Unfortunatly, it again offers no advice about the padde itself.

A quick scan yielded some information about using finer pasts on finer sides, but no, it doesn't say which side is which.

 

[JavaDave4]

Perhaps not as helpful as first-hand info, but with Tony Miller's old 4-siders, I believe the idea was to put the coarsest paste on the darkest leather. So but your gritty stuff on black, middle on brown, lightest on tan, and leave the red bare.

Oops, also, the paddle I have doesn't have the darkest leather marked as the coursest... for what it's worth...

 

[JavaDave4]

I decided to contact the company (Thiers-Issard) directly and I received a prompt and clear reply. Here is my question and their reply:

QUESTION***********************************************

Ok, I am greatly confused and overwhelmed. I've even posted this question to shaving forums and still can't get absolute answers.

I recently purchased your 4 sided paddle strop. I am obviously new to this game and your product was recommended. The instructions that came with the strop discussed a 2-paddle model, not the one I purchased. I am trying to understand how the strop is to be used with pastes so I have a volley of questions:

1. What is the coarseness of each side (not the paste grits)? This is not even detailed on-line from what I can tell.
2. Do I even need to use pastes? Can the razor be used on all four sides in succession without pastes?
3. If pastes are recommended, what pastes should I use and on what sides?
4. If I only get one paste (due to the costs), which is recommended and for which side?
5. Is this strop to be used like a hone at anytime (blade leading sharpening)? Which side and which paste?

Sorry for my barrage. Please advise.

Dave C.

REPLY***********************************************
Hi Dave -
...as to your strop. It's really intended for use with pastes but can be used without. On the end near where the handle joins you will see indentations - 1,2,3 or 4. 1 is the coarsest leather, 2 the next and so on. If using without paste I would stick to number 4 (smooth leather) and 3 (black suede). Use 4 for everyday use and 3 for when you need a slightly coarser 'nap' to restore the edge - THEN use no. 4 to finish. Ther is no set 'coarseness' to the leathers as there would be in hones.

There are no hard and fast rules as to which paste to use on which side but I would suggest this - on 1 use 3 micron diamond paste, on 2 use 1 micron, on 3 use quarter micron and leave the smooth leather bare for finishing. If that is going to be expensive, just get quarter micron then when funds allow 1 micron. As said - you don't need to use pastes but these will give a polished edge much quicker than the bare leathers.

NEVER use the strop in the manner of a hone, i'e edge leading - you'll slice bits off and ruin the edge.

More questions? I'm here to help.

Regards
Steve Dempster
**************************************************

Since this was very informative, I'll also post this as a new thread.