Blade getting covered with diamond paste

You have too much paste on there. I’d CAREFULLY scrape a lot of it off the strop and save in in a pill bottle or something.
Despite the directions, one inch is too much. A dab spread between the two paddles would be a better amount.

My strops are leather, and my compounds are paste, so I’m not able to answer much about balsa and sprays. But in general, it may be best to start with smaller amounts and add more if needed. You don’t want paste on your blade as that is basically wasting it.There is a section on stropping that may be a worthwhile read for you.

http://www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=showcat&catid=5&Itemid=63

I was confusing… i meant work from fine to coarse if you try working the paste into the leather (especially if you do it with your fingers), so you don’t get coarse paste on the fine strops.

As others mentioned, using alcohol really helps in thinning the paste and getting it to work into the leather. I now use alcohol every time I apply paste.

I will try that next time I add paste can alcohol be used with all of the different types of strops? I ordered balsa ones and kangaroo leather ones.. Just wondering if alcohol will harm those at all?

I use it with all my strops. I don’t use much, just a fine mist from a spray bottle, not enough to really soak into the leather, cloth or wood, just enough to sit on the surface and thin the paste.