Thread: Rethinking newbie strops

Since newbies are frequently trying to get into this with the least initial outlay, they seem to gravitate towards a pasted paddle strop with one unpasted side for daily stropping. While this works, it's much more time-consuming stropping with a paddle strop than with a hanging strop and this is especially true when just starting out. Should we instead be recommending a hanging strop for the daily stropping routine instead of a mixed-use paddle? It's more expensive up front since the newbie still needs the pasted paddle for touch-ups, but might this be worth it if it reduces the likelihood of the newbie giving up in frustration?

I definately will go along with recommending
a hanging strop for the newbies. They will get
much better results IMHO.

Not that I'm an expert or authority by an stretch
of the imagination.


Terry

I think the hanging strop is the best idea initially. You can add the pasted paddle a month or so down the road to spread the expenses out.

I'm a hone person so I generally don't recommend paddle strops to begin with lol.

I'm a newbie who started out with 2 stops from Tony that just arrived yesterday. He recommended a "second quality " hanging strop for me since newbies typically butcher up their strops while climbing the learning curve. This was a very modest purchase in the $14 or $15 range. Seems like this would be one reasonable recommendation for you experts to consider. He also offers a free "less than second quality " hanging strop for learning purposes if a newbie buys one of his premium products.

The second strop was a 4-sided pasted model with 3u, 1u, .5, and .25u diamond pastes. The idea here was to purchase one or more (quickly turning into more) shave ready razors and postpone the learning curve on the hones for quite awhile.

I wouldn't describe any of Tony's stuff as second quality. When it comes to utility value, anything he sells you is top class. Even the cosmetic imperfections are hard to spot.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I wouldn't describe any of Tony's stuff as second quality. When it comes to utility value, anything he sells you is top class. Even the cosmetic imperfections are hard to spot.

I couldn't agree more wityh Firestart as Tony's products are great. The "second quality" hanging strop received seemed in perfect condition to me. I have no idea why it was categorized as a "second". Perhaps Tony saw something that I can't see. The pasted strop was made to order and is also a great product. He has a customer for life here.

I would also like to add that Tony has responded quickly to all my PMs as I keep bombarding him with questions. He is one fine fellow.

I dont recall anyone ever mentiont just to get a paddle strop I think it was always to get the regular strop first and then get a paddle strop ASAP since you will need it for touch up.

As far as Tonys strops, second quality, first quality whatever....they are great, I always by first quality because almost everything I get from him is a custom order, but ya know what...I still find that I nick the damn thing from time too time so who really cares if it doesnt look as pretty when you get it if you by second quality...chances are you are going to ugly it up on your own anyway!

Thanks for the support guys. Seconds seems to be my term, not my buyers. I think one fellow said here a while back "if this was a second, I could have been happy with a third" Seriously though, if it has a flaw, any flaw, I could not charge full price. My strops are not cheap but priced on average with Dovo and Jemico. I am picky with the leather and the craftmanship. I reject half of each hide I buy. Some of the waste makes seconds, some makes giveaways (thirds) and the rest are large pieces of waste that goes to the local leathercraft place as giveaways for Boy Scout and kids projects.

Okay, to the question at hand. I suggest a paddle as a start for this reason. I hate to see a guy buy more than he needs. A newbie starts with a pre-honed razor and a hanging strop (really the best type of strop) he strops and shaves a few days and enjoys it. He is stropping poorly though and within a week or two the razor is less than sharp. Now he needs to go buy another tool. Maybe a hone with a slow learning curve, maybe a pasted paddle. Either way he is looking at $50 to $80 additional expense within a few weeks of starting. If the same fellow started with a pre-honed razor and a paddle, even with slightly poor stropping techniques, he has a tool to get the razor back up to speed. Yes, the daily use side is small and not as effective as the hanging strop but his initial outlay is less and if he gives up quickly he didn't invest much.

The really best way to do this is a hanging and an all pasted paddle strop (or hone) but how many newbies are ready to drop this much up front? I would estimate there are more guys who start this and drop it just because it's not their thing than those that bail out because they should have started with other equipment.

I really am curious as to the thoughts of those who started with paddle vs hanging strops and how you made out. I myself started with both on Classic Shaving's advice but I also had dropped over $200 just getting started this way by buying both a hanging and a paddle strop along with enough tubes of pastes to get going. My goal as both mentor and business is to offer advice and products that suit the beginner and old hand alike. Since 75% of my business is newbies I would really like to get the pulse of that group to improve my suggestions and offerings.

Thanks,
Tony

Gents,

I'm a newbie who just purchased a shave-ready razor from Bob Keyes but don't have any other equipment yet (other than an inexpensive boar brush and a cake of William's soap). I've been at Tony's site and noticed that you suggest a paddle with pre-pasted sides for the new to straight shaving guy. I'm not much for honing (I have a hard time getting pocket knives sharp), although eventually I would like to give it a go. But on the other hand I've seen quite a few guys who swear up and down in support of hanging strops. I'm confused. Probably a normal situation for newbies....