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!

Gents !

When I begung shaving with a straight, I purchased a hanging strope and a paddle
strope (one side pasted).


The Paddle one I got for traveling, saving space and weight and
don't need to take my honing stone too..

Well even though I am still very new myself I have no regrets on getting a 2 sided paddle strop. I was on a low budget (still am) and I don't mind spending a few extra minutes on the paddle, plus I don't have a hone and I can use the pasted side every so often to help out the edge. I think it alows me some time before I have to invest $$ into another strop and also a stone.

Though I have 1 razor, strop, brush, but many soaps I am happy with what I have and fell I am getting a awesome shave.