Stropping pastes combo

Karakoup1 · 07-08-2008, 02:44 PM

Hello everyone!

For those of you that:

- Don't have the budget for buying good but expensive honing stones

- New shavers wanting to give a str8 shave a try without spending a fortune

- May not be able to put a decent edge on your Str8 razors for having finally "THE" BBS...

I maybe have the solution for you..

I propose 2 different stropping pastes, a green (the usual Chromium Oxyde) and a red one (much finer):

These are very easy to apply... They comes in blocks of 50 gr. (around 1,76 onces, sometimes more)...

They do NOT contain dye nor preservative chemicals...

The compound is melted into wax...

The price is of 5 euros / 7$ each (S&H incl. for Europe, +2 $ for US,CA,AUS sorry guys

)

Moreover, going through a lot of products and testing them personnaly, it took me 3 months to find a "cheap but great" product that I can personnaly guarantee to give you a BBS every time....... and I am very strict with my BBS...

I will give you, of course, the direction of use along with it.

To place an order, please send me a PM...

BBS yours,

Valentin

chtinavion · 07-08-2008, 06:16 PM

Is this guaranteed the size of the green chromium is 0.5micron?
What is the red, then?

Thank you!

Karakoup1 · 07-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chtinavion

Is this guaranteed the size of the green chromium is 0.5micron?
What is the red, then?

Thank you!

Hello chtinavion! (tu parles francais?)

Thanks for your question...

Actually and to be honest, I still don't have this information about their grit....

Nevertheless, as I am going to buy tomorrow some pastes for other "shaving pals", I will ask the seller about it...

Anyway, I would venture the green to be around 0,8 & 0,5 micron and the red less... maybe 0,5 and 0,2..

What was important for me, was not much the specs but the results........

All I know is that before, seen that I was only using the green one until my blade could pass the HHT...
my shaves were "normal".... but my moustache was not "clean" (even pulling a little while shaving), meaning overall I got a nice shave but my moustache was not totally shaved.. I could feel it with my fingers ATG...

Since I use the red one, my shaves are..... HEAVEN!

As a matter of fact, I shaved myself yesterday... I got a 3 days beard as I didn't shave during the week-end...

I made my usual skin preparation... put on my shaving cream... meanwhile, I stropped my blade on the red one for 10 passes and an additional 5 in the palm of my hand... That's all....

Guess what? It was like cutting butter.... I made 2 passes (WTG & ATG)... Some finishing here and there.. 15 min. later I was done with a BBS... (Of course, my moustache was clean & BBS as well..)

Today, my beard has grown, but it is still acceptable..

For some reasons

, I am looking forward to shaving tomorrow morning!

I will revert to you with the a.m. missing information ASAP...

Take care!

chtinavion · 07-08-2008, 09:37 PM

As I AM french, yes, I speak the french, and it's much better than my english

Thanks. I thinks this info would interest many here, although there is already someone selling ltille amounts of CrO, if I good remember, or handmancraft or something like this that regullary come in discussion abouth this.

randydance062449 · 07-09-2008, 01:08 AM

I find this very interesting. I will wait for info on the micron size in each.

Thanks for the post!

Basher052 · 07-09-2008, 04:06 AM

Are you adding this to the leather, or the fabric side of the strop?

Karakoup1 · 07-09-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basher052

Are you adding this to the leather, or the fabric side of the strop?

Hello Andy!

Thanks for your question!

Personnaly, I don't use my vintage strop anymore....

I went for TOTAL efficiency:

I took a piece of MDF hardboard (chipboard in UK - dim. 0,5" x 3,2" x 8"), I sandpapered it a little, rounded the corners, on every sides as they could dull your edge(s), and I applied one of my paste on each side of it.

I consequently have a "strop" that is flat and large enough for me to get a perfect edge each and every time I need it..

I, finally, just strop my blade in the palm of my hand and I am ready to go...

Hope this help!

Take care!

PS> I am going to shave myself NOW!

randydance062449 · 07-09-2008, 02:00 PM

How frequently are you using the pastes? Every time you shave?

Karakoup1 · 07-09-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randydance062449

How frequently are you using the pastes? Every time you shave?

Actually, it is depending on how the blade is "reacting" on my skin.. I know the sensation, so if I see that this feeling is not there, I pass it on my "strop".. but not long.. max 10 passes..

My stones are starting to be dusty....

:

I got an other BBS this morning... (with my Grelot Thiers hopital 5/8 "Royal Canada" this time)
What a pleasure..............

Moreover, I went to my supplier's shop to buy more pastes for some "SRP shaving pals" but the manager was not in... I have to call him this evening about the grits...

They are starting to like me in this shop though... as I am almost buying those pastes every 2 days now...

Will keep you informed anyway..

Karakoup1 · 07-10-2008, 02:54 AM

Was still not in once I called............................................ ............

I will give a try again tomorrow.....

Sorry guys....

take care!

Karakoup1 · 07-10-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basher052

Are you adding this to the leather, or the fabric side of the strop?

I guess I missed to answer to you in a correct manner...........

Sorry if so...

The answer to your question is :

YES, one can put a paste on the leather side of a strop AS FAR as this strop will be EXCLUSIVELY dedicated to the specific paste used in first place.. (we don't mix the grit...)

Meaning that you will have to buy or make a second strop for the second paste.. if you really need to and/or want to.. of course.

Then of course, maybe a third one for finishing your blade.

$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+$+ $+$+$ =

Again, once I will give the directions how to use it.... no strop will be needed anymore... except the a.m. "home-made cheap but effective paddle"....

Hope this help!

Thanks again for your question and interest!

BBS yours, Valentin.

nurse42312 · 07-11-2008, 09:16 AM

interesting thread, karakoup1, many thanks.....!
Mark.....
(Wales)

Karakoup1 · 07-11-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nurse42312

interesting thread, karakoup1, many thanks.....!
Mark.....
(Wales)

You are very welcome Nurse!

Karakoup1 · 07-13-2008, 12:41 AM

Sorry guys!!!

I left my portable number at the shop, but no one called me back so far..

But on Monday morning, I will have to go back there for the next shopping.. I will try to catch him...

I'll keep you informed...

Have a great week-end!!!

BBS yours,

Valentin

fpessanha · 07-13-2008, 10:05 PM

Being european, 5€ for the paste combo seems to be a very nice price... Knowing the grit of it would be a very useful information, though... if you find out for sure what the grit is (just for the certainty of things...) you might find yourself selling one of those paste combos to me. Great deal you propose!

I also got interested in the "hone" you made. Care to explain a little further how it works and how you made it? Is it like a flatbed-hone? Can it be applied on balsa wood as well as leather?

Thanks!

Karakoup1 · 07-14-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpessanha

Being european, 5€ for the paste combo seems to be a very nice price... Knowing the grit of it would be a very useful information, though... if you find out for sure what the grit is (just for the certainty of things...) you might find yourself selling one of those paste combos to me. Great deal you propose!

I also got interested in the "hone" you made. Care to explain a little further how it works and how you made it? Is it like a flatbed-hone? Can it be applied on balsa wood as well as leather?

Thanks!

Buon di' Fpessanha!

For the grit, jump to my next post...

Of course, it could be balsa, mine is made of hard-board and as a picture speaks for itself, here you go:

As you can see, the above three sides corners had been rounded for avoiding to dull the blade... Maximum security and simplicity with maximum efficiency....

Take care!

Karakoup1 · 07-14-2008, 12:18 PM

Dear Folks!!!

I FINALLY GET THE ANSWER!!!!

I WAS SURE OF IT.......... The Red main core diameter ranges from 5 up to 10 nm, meaning:

BETWEEN 0,05 up to 1 micron!!!!!!!!!!!

What's about that Folks??? Isn't a GOOD news???

I consequently state this paste to be at 1 micron.

Nevertheless, and because the Polish Posts increased their pricings (around 30%......................) a few days ago, I have to review my prices, here we go:

USA, South America, Africa, Asia :

1 block = 16 $ (S/H incl.)
2 blocks = 30 $ (S/H incl.)

Australia, Oceania:

1 block = 18 $ (S/H incl.)
2 blocks = 34 $ (S/H incl.)

Europe, Russia, Israel :

1 block = 10 Euros (S/H incl.)
2 blocks = 18 Euros (S/H incl.)

Hope this help!!!

Each order is processed the next day (max. 2 days after) and a directions of use leaflet (including the BBS shaving instructions) is added for free.

Those blocks easily last many years............................

To place an order, please PM me... (Paypal requested)

Have a great day!!!

BBS and happy, yours,

Valentin!

randydance062449 · 07-14-2008, 12:24 PM

It puzzles me, all of the red compound bars/pastes I have used have been coarser then my 0.5 micron chrome oxide and all of the green bars of compound have been coarser than my green 0.5 micron chrome oxide powder. To my knowledge a red compound is made from iron oxide and I have never seen them rated at 1.0 micron or less. Usually 2-3 micron or larger.

We really need to know what is the size of the abrasive grain? Then we can determine where in the honing process this belongs. I have tried a number of abrasive compounds and none have been as fine as the 0.5 micron chrome oxide powder or the 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 micron diamond pastes.

Perhaps these bars give you an edge that agrees with you. But maybe you like a strong/coarse edge?

Just puzzled,

randydance062449 · 07-14-2008, 12:29 PM

OK, so you say that the red bar is 1 micron. Thank you.
Now what is the grit size of the green bar?

Regarding your pricing...is the price for one red bar or one red and one green?

Karakoup1 · 07-14-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Perhaps these bars give you an edge that agrees with you. But maybe you like a strong/coarse edge?

Just puzzled,

Hello Randy!

Thanks for your questions...

Well, I am not a chemist....

then the only way to find out is to........... try it...

All I know is that with the green paste, I never had a BBS.... With the red one, everyday.........

What more can I say?

I "analysed" the edge stropping my razors between green paste and red one.... The red one is giving a mirror finish to one edge.... Then, my conclusion? The red paste is finer................ Definitively finer..

Anyway, in what are we interested here? BBS right?

If the red paste is giving me (and a few other "shaving pals"..) a BBS every time.... what can one ask more?

Take care!

Valentin