Thread: Linen side of strop

I'm enjoying DE shaving and am teetering on the edge of SE, mainly because I do have the time in the morning to enjoy the ritual of preparation and shaving. In that regard I'm thinking of the process of stropping. I've bought a strop which is backed with cloth. The chap at the shop said that this was a backing to add stiffness and all his new stock didn't have a cloth backing. However I've seen reference hereabouts to people stropping the blade on the cloth and then the leather. So, which is it and why? Is stropping on the cloth a personal preference or is there a good reason to do it (or not)?

Also he advised me against buying the Dovo (?) yellow paste. He had been to the factory in Germany and had been told there was no need for newbies to use the paste on the strop; that the blade at shave ready from the factory was sharp enough and that the first thing a newbie would do was apply the paste and strop the blade potentially damaging it. Any thoughts on this - my thoughts were that as he was doing himself out of a sale I could take his words at face value. So, at what point should I think of getting the paste, if ever?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Roy

First, welcome to SRP, you've found the right place for information.

Second, I am fairly new to SR shaving, so take me advice for what it is...

As to the linen, it is not a necessity. My first strop was a filly from RupRazor. It had no linen component, and was good for me to learn on as I nicked it up a bit figuring out how to strop. Shortly thereafter, I upgraded to a much nicer strop with a linen component. The linen seems to me to refine the shave I get a bit more. The blade seems a bit smoother to me when I've used the linen first as opposed to just going to the leather. The problem is, I can't quantify how much better it really would be... So my short answer is that it's not "just preference" but it's also not a necessity--but it does serve its purpose.

With respect to pastes, I can't tell you anything as I don't use them myself. The general consensus I've seen on here from the members with experience is that new users should avoid.

Finally, I would be very cautious about the stockist's advice regarding factory sharpened edges. Razors do NOT generally come shave ready. If you want to try straight razors, I recommend looking at a shave ready vintage off of the classifieds here on the site. You generally won't go wrong as long as you get it from one of the senior members here (especially if its sold by one of the honemeisters). These offerings are usually a better price than local and you know what you're getting as well as having access to a person who has probably used that very razor to give you advice!

Best of luck on your journey..

Bill

Dovos are NOT shave ready from the factory and neither would Dovo paste make them shave ready! I have heard of members back honing on pastes using lapping film, but we wont go into that - as far as you are concerned, none of DOVOs pastes would make their factory edges shave ready, rather they would require a light honing.

I echo the above - get a shave ready, inexpensive straight from the classifieds.

I personally dislike pastes, however I have read that many can use them to maintain a shave ready straight, though not indefinitely - it will need to see a finishing hone sooner or later. Many also recommed barber hones over pastes.

For now concentrate on getting a shave ready straight, making sure it really is shave ready. It is extremely frustrating buying what you think will give you a shave, when in actual fact it will pluck the hairs from your face making you curse.

You've gotten enough good advice on the razor so let me chime in on the shave issue. When people say well I don't have time to do this or that in the morning that's really alot of rubbish right? If you need to do something you make the time. You get up a bit earlier. So what you really mean to say is I don't want to get up earlier to do a straight shave which by the way as you get more experience becomes faster and faster and many here can shave with a straight in the same time as you could with a DE or SE. Many do the basics on the week and reserve the luxury treatment for the weekends and holidays.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

So what you really mean to say is I don't want to get up earlier to do a straight shave ... Many do the basics on the week and reserve the luxury treatment for the weekends and holidays.

You misread me. I do have the time. I get the 'luxury treatment' every morning!

Hi Roy,

The cloth on the back could just be a stiffner as the shopkeeper said. If the strop has a Dovo label on it, then it's more likely to be a canvas surface that is also used for stropping. In that case, depending on user preference one can strop on the canvas side first then immediately afterward on the leather side, or just strop on the canvas occasionally when the razor starts to feel a little dull. The canvas works like a very mild abrasive. The leather side smooths the edge for comfortable shaving.

The yellow paste is a leather conditioner. It isn't needed on a new strop; it's for use later to keep the leather soft and supple. It also keeps the leather from drying out.

I beg to differ with my esteemed colleagues. The new Dovo razors that I have seen have all been shave-ready right out of the box. With careful stropping, your new Dovo is not likely to need to be honed for months.

Best Wishes,
Jeff

Originally Posted by RF1963

You misread me. I do have the time. I get the 'luxury treatment' every morning!

And with continual practice does it get faster and faster each morning?-Har Har

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

And with continual practice does it get faster and faster each morning?-Har Har

Oh no not at all. The luxury comes from taking my time and enjoying the whole process.

You are right, Dovo's yellow strop paste is simply used to condition and moisturise the leather side of the strop.