Strop care and maintenance

[Jim Koepke]

80 k grit is about 10 times finer than what is needed. Sharpen to 1200 - 1500 and go to a strop. The grit levels some sharpen to today is insane.

Tool sharpness is an addictive pursuit. For me the various levels of shaving arm hair are usually sharp enough. If my straight razors were regularly used, my face's comfort considerations might get me to take it up a notch into the realm of hanging hair tests for sharpness.

jtk

[Warren West]

Tool sharpness is an addictive pursuit. For me the various levels of shaving arm hair are usually sharp enough. If my straight razors were regularly used, my face's comfort considerations might get me to take it up a notch into the realm of hanging hair tests for sharpness.

jtk

Yup and with razors, sometimes a duller blade is better. Duller in razor terms is still very sharp, but I don't see anyone raving about the shaves they get off diamond stropping compound, but many use CrOx or Coticule and other naturals as finishers and love the shave they get. There is NO woodworking that can't be performed effectively coming off a soft Arkansas and a strop.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

YThere is NO woodworking that can't be performed effectively coming off a soft Arkansas and a strop.

On the other hand, there is a ton of woodworking that I am unable to do even if sharpened to a perfect edge!