Thread: paddle strop? confused to which side gets paste

Originally Posted by bmxhooligan

ive had it maybe a month, shaved about 5 times and i'm wondering when i'm supposed to strop it, and how exactly.

Based on what I've read here in the beginner's guide and the stropping threads, it seems that most (including me) strop before every shave, and quite a few (also including me) strop post-shave as well. How may laps? Well, there's a lot of variation out there. I usually do 50 canvas/100 leather pre-shave, and 25 canvas/50 leather after the razor's had time to dry thoroughly post-shave. However, I've got 5 razors in rotation. If you've only got one razor, you may only need to strop once between shaves. How many laps? Up to you. Or if you're getting comfortable shaves without stropping, maybe you don't need to strop even that often. I can't do that--my face won't take it.

I have a pasted balsa strop (FeO on one side, CrO on the other) that I use only when stropping on canvas and leather doesn't give me a comfortable shave. I've got one razor that has seemed to require that more often than others; others in my rotation I haven't had to use that at all yet (I've had them all about the same length of time, several months at this point). So far I've only had to use the FeO side. Be aware that every time you use a pasted strop, you're removing metal.

Anyway, that 's what works for me. As always, YMMV. Good luck!

bmxhooligan,

Sorry forgot about the first part of your question but Durhampiper was kind enough to take care of it. I will add that you should start by watching as many stroping vids on you tube as you can till you feel you got the basic idea down.

Here a couple good starting points

First one is in german with subtitles in english but shows how to use a paddle strop.
YouTube - Abledern des Rasiermessers - Stropping your razor