The rumors are true…. Newspaper makes an excellent stropping component. Why? Let’s break it down.
Newspaper is slightly abrasive. Its abrasive enough to remove oxidation and realign the microscopic fins that become foiled and misaligned while shaving. Newspaper works great with stropping pastes and sprays too.
If you can’t make your mind up on a strop, damaged your current strop or just aren’t ready to make the investment this is a great way to make due.
And the best part………It’s Cheap!!!!!!!!
So Let’s Make a Strop:
You’ll Need:
A Block of wood ( 3 inches wide if possible)
A piece of cardboard
Roll of Tape (Painters tape prefered but masking tape will do)
Pair of scissors
Believe it or not this strop works great and you don’t have to worry about destroying it. Simply change the paper if you nick it and start over again.
Shave Straight and Safe 
Great idea!
I remember reading somewhere that newspaper would be around a 70k grit equivalent. (I’ll have to look that up)
On remark, you may want to use standard newsprint as the high color saturation paper used in the video could fill the surface of the paper making it less abrasive.
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Standard newsprint works great as well. The paper I used in the video is a basic grocer store ad printed on standard newspaper like paper. It works very nicely
High-gloss paper works a great finisher. Seems to me the higher the gloss the higher the grit.
It’s a lot of fun messing around with paper.
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Good point! Yes paper is a great alternative.
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How would this compare to a normal strop?
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A little more abrasive then leather but smooth enough to get a really nice edge. These strops are great for beginners because you get good performance and you don’t have to worry about slicing them. If you damage it, it’s no big deal:). Works great with pastes too.
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