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I currently shave with the feather AC SS.I am going to get a regular straight from whipped dog and since I have never stropped before,Should I get a paddle strop or a leather strop first to learn on.Also,can you use a paddle strop every day or do I need a leather strop?--Thanks for your help
I do not own a paddle strop and only used one once but my imagination tells me it would be easier to learn on since you do not need to concentrate on tension, just lay the blade flat on it and lightly push it backwards. many people use paddle strops after honing with some chrome paste on them and so perhaps later on when you get a hanging strop you could then use the paddle strop for the post hone pasted strop.
Generally, most people use cloth and leather strops pre-shave, (and often post) every time, with occasional edge touch ups on material treated with a paste, (CrOx) or spray. The treated strop isn't used often, but the leather / cloth strops are used frequently. Paddle strops differ from hanging strops by the fact that they are solid and unflexible, taking tension / cupping / technique issues that you'd get with a hanging strop out of the picture. That some paddle strops have multiple componants that enable the use of pastes / sprays doesn't detract from its general purpose of stropping your blade with it's cloth / leather componant.
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Definitely get a paddle strop. I haven't looked back since getting mine from SRD, and I suspect you won't either. Stropping with everything sitting on your lap is 10x easier, IMHO. :)
I have both and using a paddle is easier. I use my paddle as a travel strop and really I think that is what it is best used for. It is smaller and narrow. On the other hand I have a couple of bench strops which are really big paddles and they are very easy to use. Of course a hanging strop is the classic way to strop. Really, once you learn it doesn't matter they are all easy.
Thanks for your input guys