Thread: Strop for a beginner

I could be wrong here but so far I've noticed two main kinds of strop. One which can be hung and is flexible and one which is on a block and is inflexible.

For a beginner which would be the recommended type to get and what are the pro's and con's of the two?

I too prefer the hanging strops. I like to leave a bit of slack in mine, which I find really works for my edges. I wouldn't be able to do this with a paddle.

However, a paddle will definitely help you focus on your wrist technique, and also your pressure since it is a "hard" surface.

You can also try both. If you're a handy person, purchase a paddle and make a hanger, or vice versa.

Originally Posted by BruceB

I could be wrong here but so far I've noticed two main kinds of strop. One which can be hung and is flexible and one which is on a block and is inflexible.

For a beginner which would be the recommended type to get and what are the pro's and con's of the two?

It's definitely a personal preference sort of thing, but when you're just starting out it's hard to know what you're going to prefer. To that end, I'd encourage you to get a hanging strop from someplace like SRD or whipped dog's poor man strop kit (so you won't be losing too much money when you nick that first strop up). With a hanging strop you can get the feel for what it's like to hang, but you can also always lay it on a table and strop that way. Try it both ways and then you'll develop a feel for what you like best, and how you can get the best results. The hanging strops can always be laid on a table and used like a paddle strop. The paddle strops can't be hung and used as a hanging strop. BUT, if you find out you like the paddle SRD has some great options.