Thread: OK so I got a razor and like it, what next- a strop?

OK Tony I just ordered a #2 Red Latigo.
So I use the linen side first then the leather?

That's right. Be gentle and go slow watching the whole edge carefully during stropping to minimise the chance you'll knock the edge off your razor.

I built small slip cases out of bristol board for my paddles. The unpasted paddle seems to attract some occasional cardboard fibres which are easy to wipe away, while the pasted paddle is curiously free of this effect. It seasy to tell which paddle side goes against which inner side by the colour transfered to the interior of the case.

X

Maybe because the fibers take the dye instead of just being white and contrasting with brown leather? Take a closer look next time to prove/disprove my theory.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

While the pasted paddle route is easiest to learn as opposed to honing, for daily stropping a hanging strop gives more feedback in use. Yes, the paddle is hard and does not deflect but even if 2 1/2" x 24 in size it feels different without some give to it. I have been fooling with some larger "bench strops", one padded and the other with a little spring to it and they look promising.

I used to use a hanging strop, but switched to a paddle for convenienc for may daily stropping. I don't find it more difficult in ant way. I just do more rpetitions because it's shorter.

In fact, I don't understand why you say the paddle is more difficult. THe biggest newbie problem is rounding the edge because of inadequate tension. That can't happen with a paddle. In fact I've seen guys recommend to newbies having problems that they place the hanging strop on a tabletop and use it that way until they learn to do it right.

Can you eplain how the paddle is more difficult?

Joe,
Maybe "more dificult" was a bad choice of words but it feels different. Maybe because I used a hanging strop a long time before starting with paddles. I like a little give when I strop. Not much but just a little deflection. On a hard backed paddle, even with a leather with good draw I don't get the same sensation.

Are you using a wide or narrow paddle for your daily stropping? One of mine?

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Joe,
Maybe "more dificult" was a bad choice of words but it feels different. Maybe because I used a hanging strop a long time before starting with paddles. I like a little give when I strop. Not much but just a little deflection. On a hard backed paddle, even with a leather with good draw I don't get the same sensation.

Are you using a wide or narrow paddle for your daily stropping? One of mine?

Tony

All my paddles are narow, and the one I use most is a 4 sided one I bought from you. also have a tabletop strop that's a 3". I don't use it much anymore, because the paddles are more convenient.

That give in a hanging hone always bothered me because I was worried about rounding over, so I found myself pulling very hard and getting tired.