Thread: What to do now...

A lot of people prefer the bench-type or paddle strop - some say it's easier to begin with than the hanging variety. Like dward says, you usually get a lot more length in a hanging strop. Nothing stopping you making your own bench strop any length you desire, though!

You could secure a hanging strop to some timber, using the eye at one end and either pulling it taut or securing it by the handle loop at the other end, but it seems a bit of a waste, especially as you might get a couple of creases in it.

Some of the older bench strops were a frame with a loop of leather over them, the leather being supported at just the front and rear, presumably to give a bit of "give" while stropping - probably good for wedge-type razors.

Regards,
Neil

Some paddle strops are narrower and shorter than hanging strops. IMO they are therefore not so fun to use because you have to focus more to keep the blade steady. Tony M has some wide paddles too and they might be fun to use too.
Keeping the hanging strop taut is not as hard job what you might think. Actually it is better to keep yourself in a relaxing position and not tensioning too much.
Again IMO I suggest to get a hanging over paddles if you have a good place to use it and other things mentioned in Theory of stropping wiki article.
But If you have small room or travel a lot or want to do stropping in other room or don't want to keep the strop taut or........
Both strops have pro's and con's and what suits best to you......at the end ..... you know it better than anyone else.

Thanks to everyone.
I went out before and picked up a hanging strop for £20. I gave it a go on a door handle, and your right its not at all hard to keep it taught. I think i will go for one of the nice ones mentioned on here, when i'm used to it (and not sliceing the thing in half, LOL)