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Hi everybody. I am brand new to this but have gone through a lot of the forums. Great place for info on str8 razors. I was wondering if I could get some advice on the pluses and minuses of using a paddle vs hanging strop? Does one do a better job than another? Is one better or easier to use for a newbie? I would appreciate any advice I could get.
Thanks
Jim
:hmmm:
Welcome Jim!
I would say a hanging strop for everyday use. For me its a lot more convenient and I feel like I get a better feel for the edge going over the leather.
If initial funds are a concern, you can certainly get a multi sided paddle and use one for everyday stropping and one or more with pastes for touching up your razors. In the end though, most do add a hanging strop.
Others who know more than me will chime in soon.
Jordan
Thanks Jordan...It sounds to me like the hanging strop is the way to go. Is there a situation where a paddle strop may be a better alternative or were paddle strops designed to offer a conveniant alternative?
Jim
Paddle strops, especially the two sided can be a very convenient alternative when one is traveling. Both have their pros and cons, but many people seem to prefer the paddle for travel and touch up's (whether 2 or 4 sides), and like already stated, hanging strops for daily use. Try not to get too confused initially by the myriad of issues surrounding the paddle versus hanging argument, just find out what you like, and/or what works best for YOU and go with that.
Agreed. I just got a two sided paddle from Tony to use for travel (its sweet!:bow ). Its shorter than an hanger and I don't have to worry about creasing it while packing.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyman
Jordan
Jim,
I have both but for different reasons. The hanging strop I use before I shave to correct the edge (so to speak) the paddle strop I have is 4 sided and pasted I use that to sharpen the blade. If I had more money I would get a 2 sided paddle for traveling. Just my 2c.
So it sounds like the hanging strop is still the way to go but the paddle strop can be used as a sort of optional tool. I think I'll start with the hanging strop then go from there. Thanks for the advice.
Jim
I recently purchased a razor, hanging strop, etc. so that I can begin shaving with a straight razor. What do people typically hang their strop from? I was watching a few videos, but I can't tell what the strop is "attached" to on the wall, or wherever it's hanging from. I was hoping to avoid doing something crude like screwing an eyehook into the wall, etc.
I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I haven't been able to find the answer yet. The Dovo strop I purchased has a circular loop at the hanging end, just don't know what to attach it to.
As soon as I get my razor from Lynn, it will be time to put the strop to use!
I use a loop of wire from a frame hanging kit on the doorknob of the linen closet :shrug: it works.
Jordan
There are some around here just crude enough to screw an eye hook into the wall (the door jamb actually)!:w...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mental
I use the hook behind the bathroom door. Works for me.
I use a short loop of nylon cord (thin climbing rope), which I 'lasso' around the doorknob on the back of my bathroom door. Quick and easy to fit or remove, provides a good firm anchor, and doesn't leave any marks. :)
In the end no matter which way you decide to hang/anchor your strop, just make very sure of one thing...That it is secure and isn't going to come free during stropping... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mental
I found out the hard way when I ripped the towel rack off the wall whilst stropping, thus nearly slicing my strop clean in half...:rant: :gth
Gotta love that contact cement...:w
:eek::roflmao:roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Chopper
My strop is hung on the wall from a sturdy yet quite decorative plant hook bought and installed for the purpose. It came from my local nursery and upon edict from the wife had to match the bathroom hardware.
Okay, back from vacation so here are my 2 cents <g>.
For daily use a hanging strop is still the most effective choice. Wider and longer than a paddle it provide far more surface area so should get the job done faster and more effectively.
A paddle strop is mainly for use with abrasives. The porous leather holds pastes well and the hard wooden surface helps prevent rounding the edge from the leather flexing as it would on a hanging strop charged with pastes.
Now, the disclaimers. Some fellows use paddles for everything. They like the rigid surface and compact size, even for daily use. Thiers Issard tells me they feel paddles are the best choice for daily use on thier razors. I use them as well but still use a hanging strop at least as much. I feel I have more control on a paddle as I am forced to go a bit slower. Other feel on a typical narrow paddle they have less control because of the width. Guys hold paddles differently too wich may account for variations in effectiveness. Some lay them flat on the table like a stone. The paddle stays rigid but you are forced into a strick, rigid hand movement now to keep the razor in contact. I think this would work best with wide paddles or bench strops. I hold my paddle by the handle with the far end resting on something. When sitting I rest it across my leg. This makes the paddle roll a bit with the stropping motion and to me allows for a less than strick, rigid hand movement. This works best for me on narrow paddles, 2" or less.
Also, "paddles are for pastes, hanging strops are not". Well, not always <g>. For years many commercial strops for barbers came with 2 leather sections, one marked "sharpen", one marked "finish". One was pasted with red or black pastes and used frequently to refresh an edge. A barber used his strop far more often than we do, many times each day and was pretty god and holding it tightly when needed and stropping effectively. He could feel what he was doing so rounding an edge with pastes on the flexing surface was not an issue for him. For a typical beginner, or someone not really tuned into what's happening a rounded edge is likely.
"But Tony, you frequently tell beginners to buy a paddle instead" Okay, I do this because a beginner is likely to ruin his freshly honed edge via improper stropping in a very short time. A pasted paddle at least gives him a shot at fixing it without sending it back out or immediatly needing to rush back out to buy yet another type of strop or stone right away. Many start on a budget and want to keep the $$ to a minimum and buy one tool only to get going. Once I explain this to someone who calls or e-mails and they understand the pitfalls I still tell them a hanging strop is the better choice for daily use, but they will need a hone, stone or paddle down the road a few weeks.
So, no right or wrong answer to the hanging or paddle question. Just what sounds like it will work for you. My advice it to stick with the basics first. Get one strop and learn to strop effectively before moving on. Then get one tool for sharpening, stone or paddle and use it well before trying all the fine little tricks of super stones, crazy fine pastes (0.25), etc....
Tony
Thanks for the advice and thread links re: hanging the strop... Maybe I will go for some sort of hook after all. "Crude" was probably a poor choice of words ;) If I hook it to a towel bar I'm pretty sure I'll end up ripping the bar off.
I have little kids running around so I have to figure out a spot to put it where the kids won't get to it, or else have a secondary "storage spot". Pondering shaving in the guest bathroom after I shower in the master bathroom, just to keep the stuff away from the kids and the humidity.