Thread: Hanging or Paddle???

A hanging strop is just a table away from functioning exactly like a paddle strop. A paddle strop cannot make the same claim.

Why not one of each? An old pair of jeans and a block of balsa wood and you have the best of both worlds. Play around. Experiment. Do what feels comfortable. Most of all have fun!

Originally Posted by ace

There is an exception to every rule. Of course, if "There is an exception to every rule." is stated as a rule, and there must be an exception to every rule, then that rule doesn't hold true and has exceptions. If there is no rule without exceptions, then "There is an exception to every rule." is just false.

Now, ponder THAT while you're starting your next straight shave.

Oye! The inside of my head will be as sore as the outside of my head

I say listen to ace. Get a good hanging strop and when you want, lay it on the table. When you feel like you want a hanging strop, hang it. Sound wisdom. I have a hanging strop and find that sometimes I like to strop on my table. Easy to do. Why buy both?

I think a paddle for a noob. Most noobs will damage their edge while stropping. The tension on the strope is just something else for the new guy to be concerned with. Consider the SRP modular paddle you will be able to do your normal stropping plus paste if you desire and if you go to a hanging strop you can use it for paste.

To paddle or not to paddle? I believe a paddle strop is easier to learn with as it is a known flat surface, where the hanging strop can curve and potentially round the razors edge if your tension is not right (too loose).
I attach my hanging strops to a bed post, and the cross piece between posts at the foot is at waist height, and just a perfect fit to make my hanging strop like a paddle with a simple 90 degree turn…
Like everything else in shaving, it is all user subjective… YMMV.
Both have their advantages, disadvantages and you need to weigh out the pros, and cons to best suit your needs.
Having both, I prefer the hanging strop for daily use as it has a more natural feel for me, and I prefer the paddle for travel as it is easier to pack in the suitcase, not knowing if I’ll have a decent place to attach the hanging strop where I am going.