Thread: paddle strop? confused to which side gets paste

hey guys, i'm a complete noob when it comes to straights, i just bought my first kit (Thiers Issard Complete Straight Razor Set Black, Save $35 | Fendrihan Shaving Store)

and im somewhat lost as where to start! ive shaved with it about 5 times, and its definatly getting alot less bloody! :P

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

it came with a generic photocopy sheet which didnt really answer anything, just made more questions.

the paddle strop has a soft black side of leather, somewhat fuzzy
a tan side which is smooth

anyways, im reading websites saying i dont need to hone, just a lightly pasted strop, but which side do i put the paste on?? how much? (paste description says :Thiers Issard sharpening paste.
The non-toxic sharpening paste is specially formulated with diamond particles and aluminum oxide to attain the sharpening properties of a 10,000 sharpening stone. Ideal for keeping your straight razor sharp and smooth.)

do i need a hone? the razors sharp, instructions say use 'palm oil', wth is that? i just want to keep it sharp.

so confused haha any help would be appreciated

Paste goes on the rough side for occasional touch ups. The smooth side is used daily and should not be pasted. If you just rub your hand on it every day before use, the oils in your hand will keep it conditioned.

ok cool, thank you for the quick reply

the rough side, would that be the tan side or the fuzzy black side? (dumb question, but i dont wanna mess my razor up lol)

how much paste do you put on your strop?

with this, if done properly, i shouldnt need a hone ever correct?

thanks again

Paste will go on the fuzzy dark side. Paste should be minimal. If you look in the Wiki I think there is are instructions for pasting a strop. Basically, a little goes a long way and you don't need a lot. Paste can extend the time between honings but it does not eliminate the need for it.

bmxhooligan,

Please be sparing when appying any paste to the TI strop. It is very easy to 'glue up' the suedey finish - I know I have done it

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I believe this paddles strop isn't intended to be pasted as the seude side acts as the linen/canvass and the leather side acts as the stropping finish. Yes, you can paste the suede side as advised. But, this paddle strop seems very nice as it is and it looks like something easy to travel with. Plus if you pasted the suede side, its too challenging to unpaste it.

You may want to consider buying another 4 sided leather paddle strop and applying different rated pastes on 1-4 sides. I have one of these and they keep my straight razors sharp for a very long time between stone honings.

Welcome to Straight Shaving!

Pabster

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