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

I found an old razor locally and had Bill Ellis clean it up and put a shaving edge on it.
I've used it for a couple weeks and really like it,

I think I need a strop now but am confused about the types. paddle or the hanging kind. I am limited on space and am leaning towards the hanging kind.

but why do the 4 sided ones have different types of leather or material???

Do I need a hone?

thanks!

The hanging strops are usually used by themselves, and are used for 30-50 laps before each shave to clean and align the edge. They don't actually sharpen the edge, but because the edge is corrosion free and perfectly straight it shaves much better. Paddle strops can be used to do this too, but for a variety of reasons hanging strops are quite a bit faster to use for this purpose, and since it's something you should do before every shave this usually justifies the specialized strop.

The paddle strops can be used to clean and align the edge like a hanging strop, but they are usually used with abrasive pastes to sharpen a slightly dull razor. They are somewhat easier to use than stones for some people, are quite a bit cheaper than most quality waterstones, and are available in a much finer range of grits than are found in stones. They are not good at removing nicks or sharpening an extremely dull razor. The different types of surfaces on paddle strops are available partly because of individual preferences, partly because different materials hold different abrasives better than others, and partly because some people use their paddle strop both as a pre-shave cleaning/aligning strop and as a sharpening strop, and need different leather for this purpose.

Many straight razor shavers eventually wind up with all three (hanging strop, paddle strop, and hone stone), though its not required.

I agree with everything except that you don't need all three. If you are serious about doing this you definitly need a hanging strop and should eventually get the other two as well. You will find a need for them. I would get the pasted paddle strop next for touch up and finally a wetstone like a Norton 4k/8k. Jm2c

I have brought *junk* blades for honing practice to shave-ready condition with a Lithide stone from Tilly and an old belt only. Doesn't get any cheaper than that.

Having said this, I just received a 3" wide strop (*second*) from Tony Miller. This thing is huge. I mean HUGE! Very nice, and after I conditioned the leather a bit and worked it the HHTs were off the charts. I am sure you can order a *small* hanging strop from Tony, if the others are too big for you.

I don't think I could get by without my hanging strop, and I'm seriously considering a really nice one from Tony, based on all the stellar things people say about them here. I also have a Norton 4k/8k, as well as a Swaty hone that I really like. That little thing has made the difference between sharp and shaving sharp on a couple of old razors I have. I think the hone thing is just dependent on whether or not you want to maintain your razors yourself. I'm still learning how to hone properly, but I am getting the hang of it, and it's a lot of fun. But it also has me cruising antique stores for old razors to work on. More money, more money, more money....

Originally Posted by setherd

I found an old razor locally and had Bill Ellis clean it up and put a shaving edge on it.
I've used it for a couple weeks and really like it,

I think I need a strop now but am confused about the types. paddle or the hanging kind. I am limited on space and am leaning towards the hanging kind.

but why do the 4 sided ones have different types of leather or material???

Do I need a hone?

thanks!

Have you been shaving for weeks without stropping?

You definitely need a plain leather strop to use before every shave. It can be a paddle, which will be easier to use but will require more work.

Where you go from there depends on what your needs are. If you just want to shave and not get involved in serious honing, you don't need the Norton. You do need something to refresh the razor when stropping doesn't restore full sharpness. You could use a Norton for that, but a fine barber hone will do. A two-sided one is better yet. Or you can get a paddle strop with two sides and put a 3 micron paste on one side and plain leather on the other.

If you refresh the razor regularly you can avoid real honing for a long time. And when you do need it you can send out the razor. Once or twice a year wouldn't be unusual.

You will only need the Norton if you intend to do all your future honing or to start restoring old razors.

Definitely get a hanging strop for daily duty. The leather materials are a matter of preference. I agree with most that a 4 sided paddle will get you a pretty long way. If you want to grab a medium grit barber hone at some point to rough the bevel a little every half year or so before taking it to the paddle, you might even save yourself having to send it out for the occassional honing, but I'd say save that for a few years from now after you're already spoiled by and outstanding shaving edge and know what to shoot for.

While I believe that a paddle strop with pastes is easier than learning to home, a clean finishing paddle strop is harder to get right than a hanging strop is. Again, definitely get a hanging strop for daily duty.

X

Originally Posted by xman

Definitely get a hanging strop for daily duty. The leather materials are a matter of preference. ..............................
While I believe that a paddle strop with pastes is easier than learning to home, a clean finishing paddle strop is harder to get right than a hanging strop is. Again, definitely get a hanging strop for daily duty.

X

X,
I have to agree on that. 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.
For travel or those with limited space a plain paddle for daily use works but is best as a pasted tool.

Tony

So Tony you say the paddle strop is best for those with limited space? I was thinking that the hanging strop would be best.

Also with a paddle strop can you store it laying down? would the paste get on things or wear off?

Seth,
By limited space I meant that some fellows have pretty iny bathrooms and no room to hang a 24" long strop and still work with it effectively. if you have the room go for a hanging strop. Some guys use a thong or cord and hang it on the doorknob.

The paste on my paddles is dry and will not normally rub off. You can't lay it on anything damp and not against light colored clothing but other than that it's not a problem.

Tony