Hi there,
I recently bought some of the red paste from Valentin and I find it excellent. I don't have vast experience of straight shaving, but I can tell the difference between a good shave and a bad one

.
after honing i previously used diamond pastes of 2,1, and 0.5 microns, then a plain pasted strop before shaving. i now keep the same routine but add the red paste on a leather strop before the plain pasted one. the difference is marked. i use 2 Wapi's and the difference is incredible - much smoother. I have just bought a Puma and with the same treatment the shave is superb, like a knife through butter.
I have no idea what the paste is, i don't really care, it definately works for me......
Apart from the strops I have made myself, this is the best 8 euros I have spent on shaving gear.
If I can help please PM me.....
Regards,
Mark.....