Thread: which strop to get started?

Ok so I am the proud new owner of a Wapi 5/8, and now I need to invest in a strop to get started, but am looking to keep it to a reasonable price. Im not as much looking to start honing my blade myself yet, but need something that is worth the investment, no ebay specials. any suggestions on an affordable strop guys?

Tony Miller, who is a member here, makes
strops of all kinds. He has a starter
strop which I have and is very good for
about $30.00. His website is thewellshavedgentleman.com.

John

I decided to add to this since I'm pretty much in the same situation. Just ordered a few Wapienicas from Mike, and have been looking at Tony's store so I can jump in when it reopens.

So, my question is on hanging vs. paddle strops. I think I'll get along better with a paddle, so I don't have the same issue as when I was taking chunks out of my first dollar-store-special strop due to lack of adequate tension. Is there anything more to this than just personal preference (any obvious benefits of one over the other)?

Secondly, there's a lot of stuff on there (especially with the 4-sided, but also 2-sided) about pastes. I know nothing about this. I'm assuming it helps, with the various pasting grades, perfect the edge working as either a lubricant or an abrasive. Is this something to be concerned with, for someone who has no intention of honing his own blades (yet)? Or would it benefit to help lengthen the time between hones? Does the paste need to be applied before every stropping session, or is it a one-time application typa thing?

Lastly, Latigo/Horsehide combo. Description makes this seem ideal for daily use, but it's not being made anymore (hoping to snag one of the last ones)...is there a reason for this? Unpopular? Or just better to go with Latigo/Smooth Leather with a fine Paste? Curious if anyone has any opinions on these.

I know its a lot to read, just curious if anyone had any advice...I'd rather make the right choice first time around =). Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by DemonsDanceAlone

So, my question is on hanging vs. paddle strops.

A matter of personal preference, both can do the job just fine.

Secondly, there's a lot of stuff on there (especially with the 4-sided, but also 2-sided) about pastes. I know nothing about this.

You strop on unpasted leather. I believe this does not sharpen the blade further, just alligns it/dresses it which makes it to cut better.
Pastes contain abrasive particles that sharpen the blade. It's easier than using a stone and some people say you can use pastes to maintain your edge indefinitely, others think it prolongs the time between honing from say 2-3 months to 12-18months. The difference is the size of the particles, e.g. 3 micron, 1 micron, 0.5 micron, 0.25 micron, 0.1 micron - the smaller the size, the sharper the blade can get. I don't use them but many people feel that beyond 0.5 micron the razor becomes way too sharp to give them comfortable shave. Obviously this depends on the skin, beard, and technique - so it's extremely personal.

Pastes are usually applied to paddle strops or balsa wood, but I know of people who use pasted hanging strops. The paste is applied once in a very thin layer - essentially transparent. It takes a long time (years) before it may need to be reapplied again

Lastly, Latigo/Horsehide combo.

The different finishes are just that - they do the same job, but feel different. It's a again essentially a matter of personal preference. The one I have is honey brown, which is also discontinued (because Tony can't source it anymore) and it is almost no draw. Latigo I hear provides a lot of draw and for example Tony has said he prefers more draw for heavy/wedge blades and less draw for lighter full hollow blades.

I think this about covers all that you asked. Sounds like your best option is a paddle with one unpasted side.

ok so would this set up work :
2 sided paddle strop
one side with .50 diamond paste

IF that will work, how often do you strop on the paste side?

that'll certainly work.
how often do you strop on the paste - the answer is whenever your razor gets dull. as you are starting you need at least a month or two to develop your technique and learn how a razor feels. after that you'll be able to tell. i doubt you'll need to do it in the first 10 weeks. It really depends on your beard, how well do you prep and how often do you shave. I know it's not the exact answer you may want, but that's really how things work.
How often do you sharpen your knife? It's different level of sharpness, but the same level of subjectivity.

Gugi, great explanation!

The discontinued Horsehide/Latigo was initially due to supplies of horsehide which may change in a few weeks and mainly my ideas of good workmanship. The horsehide is an extremely dense material that has it's own ideas of where the knife goes when trying to cut it. On the horsehide paddles I was never fully happy with the how the edges looked. I could not achieve the same neat edge as with other leathers. I am making a die to cut all of my 3" x 10" paddles which will result in nicer edges, especially on horse, much like on my latest 4 sides.

We will be back online in limited capacity till my wife is doing a bit better so paddles will be hit and miss the next week or two.

Thanks,
Tony