Walkin' Horse Split-Side & Dovo Yellow Paste

[jpcwon]

What's up Guys,

So I just received a new strop that I'm pretty excited about. It's a Walkin' Horse Split-Side strop with woven cotton as a second component. I elected to go with the woven cotton for a few reasons. One is that I already have several Linen options (TM, Kanayama and Scrupleworks...yeah, I'm becoming a strop hoarder!!), and I might possibly add paste to the cotton at some point (probably the TI paste)...

Now I read somewhere that the Split-Side strops in particular work very well when a thin layer of Dovo yellow paste is added to it, so I grabbed a tube of that as well. Now my question is; how often should I apply the yellow paste? What can I expect when I apply it (heavier draw?). And is it necessary to apply the yellow paste in the first place, or can the strop survive just fine without it?

The strop almost feels like a 'suede' and has a very pleasant, lightish draw to it. I would just hate to apply the yellow paste and have it completely change the draw (I am not a fan of heavy draws)...Does anyone have any experience with this particular strop, and the Dovo yellow paste that is recommended with it?

Thanks a lot for any input you guys may have!!

 

[Alum of Potash]

Thanks for the picture. I have the WH horsebutt, which needs neat's-foot oil from the start, but not the split-side.

I have used the Dovo/Solingen Russian leather strops with the Dovo yellow paste, so here are my thoughts based from that experience. First, I would advise stropping without anything at first, to see how the draw feels and how the leather reacts. Then, look at the bevel/edge with a 10x loupe or thereabouts. If there seems to be a lot of "dandruff" on the bevel after stropping, then the leather is too dry and could benefit from a small amount of paste. If not, use it until you notice some change on the surface of the leather accompanied by the "dandruff" build-up. To apply the paste, a little goes a long way. I place a tiny amount of the paste on one of my palms and then rub my palms together to spread it out evenly on both. Then, just as if I were to rub a strop prior to stropping, I rub my dominant hand's palm across the surface of the leather, lightly and quickly, starting from the bottom. Once most of the paste has been removed from this palm, I rub the strop with the palm of my off-hand in the same way, starting from the top, until most of the paste here has been removed. In this way, the strop is equally balanced with regard to paste build-up in the center. Repeat as needed.

Edit: if you bought the strop from Jarrod, you might shoot him a line as far as how much paste to apply with the WH. I would be inclined to think that "less is more."

 

[jpcwon]

Thanks so much for the reply, Alum!! I actually bought the strop elsewhere (west coast shaving), but I will keep in mind that a 'little goes a long way'....I really like the draw presently, so i will continue with the strop in its 'stock configuration'. I will periodically check for dandruff with a loupe and apply the paste then...

Thanks again! Much appreciated!!

 

[Attila]

Mine (from Jarrod) had the "dandruff" right from the start. I too ordered the yellow paste so maybe I will apply some tonight...

 

[domino]

Is the draw similar To a TM steerhide?

 

[jpcwon]

Is the draw similar To a TM steerhide?

Umm, kinda sorta? I find that the TM Steerhide is a bit 'slicker' TBH....but the split side does have a pleasant, light draw as well...I can tell that it does need to be broken in, though. And yes, mine too had the 'dandruff' from the start, so I am going to apply the yellow paste tomorrow...I will let you know how it goes!!

 

[domino]

Thks JP..
I will be watching for updates..

 

[Brianskeet]

I have a Walkin horse split side and really enjoy it. You are right about checking for the "dandruff". When it starts I use just the tiniest amount of yellow paste rubbed between my hands and then on to the strop. I get about a single drop sized dab and then rub that between my hands then only rub one hand on the working surface of the strop. The draw on the very first stropping after that will be slightly heavier, but it quickly goes back to its normal.

 

[jpcwon]

Well I just went ahead and pasted the split-side with the Yellow paste....I rubbed a tiny amount into my palm then rubbed the strop with my palm until it got warm....At first the strop looked a bit splotchy, but i managed to even it out for the most part.

I did notice that the draw got slightly heavier, but not too heavy (which is good; I don't like heavy draws!!)....Here is a pic after I pasted the strop....The dandruff went away too!!

 

[domino]

JP..
Thks for sharing the update and the pic..

Did you apply the white paste to the cotton?

 

[jpcwon]

JP..
Thks for sharing the update and the pic..

Did you apply the white paste to the cotton?

I did not. I have some of the TI Paste that Scott (life2short) gave me but have not applied it yet....I can't decide if I want to paste the cotton or just leave it as-is; we shall see....

I do enjoy the draw of the split-side now that it's been pasted with the yellow paste. It's very pleasant! Oh and for those that are thinking of using the yellow paste on their strops; I used barely any at all, and it made a huge difference! A little definitely goes a long way!!

 

[Brianskeet]

Absolutely a less is more situation.

 

[gary haywood]

Good stuff that ti pate rasoir when used on cotton. It realy sharpens the edge up, I used it when trying to master the coticule .. I have some on soft cotton it cuts very quick you will see your cotton turn black quik, leaves a sharp smooth edge .

gary

 

[jpcwon]

Good stuff that ti pate rasoir when used on cotton. It realy sharpens the edge up, I used it when trying to master the coticule .. I have some on soft cotton it cuts very quick you will see your cotton turn black quik, leaves a sharp smooth edge .

gary

Good to know, thanks Gary! I am not much of a paste guy as I prefer using stones to touch up my edge, but I just may give it a go with the TI paste. I've heard nothing by good things about the edge it leaves, so I will let you know how it goes. I will probably paste the backside of the cotton that faces the leather, that way I can still use the cotton without the paste if I want to...

 

[Brooksie967]

JP what exactly are the pastes? Are they abrasive? ie: CrOx or something in them? Or is it just a leather treatment?

 

[jpcwon]

JP what exactly are the pastes? Are they abrasive? ie: CrOx or something in them? Or is it just a leather treatment?

The yellow paste is just a treatment; no abrasives at all.....Not sure about the other colors; I think some of them are more abrasive than others, but I know that the yellow is not at all...

It was recommended to get the yellow paste with the split-side leather, and I must say that it improves the draw considerably....I very much like it!!

 

[Brooksie967]

Improves draw as in??

 

[jpcwon]

Improves draw as in??

Well, it makes it a bit smoother. Prior to pasting the leather the draw was a bit, ummm, "rough" for lack of a better word. And I was getting a lot of "dandruff" on the blade from the leather….The strop definitely needs to be broken in & the yellow paste helps with that immensely...

 

[domino]

Trying to resist...
Thks..JP!

 

[jpcwon]

Trying to resist...
Thks..JP!

haha anytime!! Always happy to help enable!!