Thread: Stropper? What and why....

I have been wondering what the general use of strops are? Paddle versus hanging strop. For regular use, and not pasted touch-up's.

To be more precise, how many users have started with a particulat type, and then switch to the other, and stay with it? Has anyone found that after using the paddle strop, or the hanging strop they have found it superior to the former...and why?

I've always used a hanging strop. However, when ever I had used a paddle strop, I always found it easier to use. BUT, for some reason, other than for pastes, I have never made the dive to use/own a paddle strop for daily stropping. I recomend them, but hypocritically, don't use it!

How 'bout you others?

C utz

The reason hanging strops are better for regular stropping is that they take fewer passes, thus being being quicker. Paddle strops are good for travelling though and I may get one for that purpose. However, for regular stropping, my regular Heirloom will do just fine

I think that for most, the paddle strop is a specialized tool for sharpening, not aligning the edge. A haning strop has far more surface area and is the right tool for daily, pre-shave stropping.

There are a few guys here, some with a lot of experience who use a wide paddle for daily use prefering the advantages of a rigid surface over the negative of smaller surface area. (I am soon to have a solution to that <g>).

I do however, often suggest a paddle for a beginner as it give a guy on a budget a single tool to get the job done. Three sides for mild abrasives to keep his razor sharp a month or two down the road when his shave ready razor is no longer shave ready and to give him a very usable, but not ideal too for daily use before each shave.

I based this on how I started. You make the decision to drop $100-150 on a razor, strop, mug, soap brush, etc... from a vendor, get your stuff home and dive in. A few weeks later the razor is pulling instead of cutting. Now what? You call your vendor, or come here to SRP only to be told you now need to spend more money on a hone, or a second strop, or to send your razor away, etc.... Back into the wallet for more money on a hobby your are not really at home with yet. So, with a single tool in my opinion, a pasted paddle and you "could" go forever if you had to. Yes, you will add other stuff later if you like this hobby but you don't have to go there.

BUT, if you are sure you will continue AND have the funds start with the hanging strop and go from there

So, hanging strop........best tool for the job, hands down. Paddle strop, most versatile tool, but not the best. To do it right, for me anyway you need a hanging strop, a hone/stone and/or a paddle with finer pastes.

Tony

I have a monster strop from Tony... I think the overall dimensions are 4" x 42" with a stropping surface of 4" x 28.5" and man it makes stropping my monster razors SOOO much easier. I have a paddle strop for refreshing, but still depend on lynn for honing. Most of my razors are pretty irreplaceable so Im afraid to even try...plus now I am so spoiled lol.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

There are a few guys here, some with a lot of experience who use a wide paddle for daily use prefering the advantages of a rigid surface over the negative of smaller surface area. (I am soon to have a solution to that <g>).

Tony, are you thinking of a hanging strop with a stiff back?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Tony, are you thinking of a hanging strop with a stiff back?

Yes, 2 versions actually. One is a hard hanging strop with just a little flex or rigid. The other is based on an old time bench strop I found.... a table top strop with a little give to it.

Soon, very soon.

Tony

Wood backing or a layer of stiff leather?

Thin, flexable wood. I did do a heavy 12oz leather hanging strop ith suede for pastes bondedd to each side and that gave me the idea. I did this one for a fellow in Australia and now he wants a very wide paddle 24" long for pastes so I am adapting this base strop into one for daily use. Just a test to see how well it works.

Tony

I have a 2 sided paddle which I use for traveling. For normal home use I use the hanging strop. Maybe I just never really got into the paddle strop routine but I am used to the hanging strop and just find it easier to use for daily use.

I guess its what you are accustomed to and what you started with. I guess there's some truth to that old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

Tony, I can't wait to see the finished product... I 've been thinking about the design ever since the hanging one picked up some creases from being rolled up for too long. Then I was thinking about packing it in stiff cardboard next time. The idea of stiff backing came naturally after that lol.