Thread: New to the old way

Originally Posted by Jtyson

Is there any downside to using a paddle? From what I can tell, you don't use enough pressure to need any sort of give you would get from a loose strop. To me it seems some leather/poly strips could be easily attached to a piece of balsa or other thin/light wood and you could have a cheap strop that is more portable than something that must be hung. I have seen replacement leather straps on a number of sites for a few dollars. Haven't seen poly but I'm sure it is out there somewhere and I imagine collectively the material, wood and some contact cement would make a good cheap strop paddle. Please though, someone correct my way of thinking if I am wrong.

Nope. You're quite correct. If you prefer a paddle to a hanging, then by all means glue some leather down on to a bit of wood. Glue down some compressed felt (flesh side leather, strip of seatbelt etc. etc.) on the other side, and Bobs yer Auntie. One paddle strop ready to go.


Mick

Just a sympathetic word about your disappointment about needing a professional honing to get started. I felt the same way, and it's a pretty common sentiment from new straight shavers.

Here's the good news: After it's professionally honed,

1. You don't have to worry about it again for several months, provided you strop carefully and don't screw up the edge.
2. You have an _amazing_ edge to shave with, which means you can eliminate one "variable" in chasing better shaves.
3. You know what "shave ready" really feels like, as a benchmark for the future.

Best of luck, and enjoy!

Yeah the professional honing cost doesn't thrill me but oh well. Glen has been nice to deal with so far, so that makes it easier.

I went looking for strop material today. Kind of blind really. I went to Hobby Lobby, Tandy Leather and Joann's Fabrics. I looked for compressed felt but nobody could tell me exactly what that was. As for leather, all I knew what that I was looking for something vegetable tanned. Tandy had it, but it was quite pricey. A "shoulder" which was about a square foot was $29.99. Granted I could make multiple from that, but I was hoping it'd be a little cheaper. I am going to do some shopping online now for materials. Does anyone have a vendor they like to buy replacement material from? Leather and maybe the poly I keep reading about?

Jtyson, what I did with my vintage strops, not having room for a bench strop, was to get a piece of particle board, about 3/16 or 1/4 thick, cut it the width of the strop and about three inches shorter than the length. Sandwiched it between the linen and the leather and used Velco straps, top and bottom to secure it. I now have a hanging bench strop and because I am heavy handed can concentrate of keeping a light pressure on the strop without worrying about the give.

Originally Posted by Jtyson

Yeah the professional honing cost doesn't thrill me but oh well. Glen has been nice to deal with so far, so that makes it easier.

I went looking for strop material today. Kind of blind really. I went to Hobby Lobby, Tandy Leather and Joann's Fabrics. I looked for compressed felt but nobody could tell me exactly what that was. As for leather, all I knew what that I was looking for something vegetable tanned. Tandy had it, but it was quite pricey. A "shoulder" which was about a square foot was $29.99. Granted I could make multiple from that, but I was hoping it'd be a little cheaper. I am going to do some shopping online now for materials. Does anyone have a vendor they like to buy replacement material from? Leather and maybe the poly I keep reading about?

Ok, why don't you get yourself that $30 bit of leather, cut two 3" wide straps from it. Get a bit of timber, cheap old pine will do, about 1/2" thick, 3 1/4" wide and 5" longer than the straps you cut. Shape the 5" excess into a nice handle shape. Glue down the leather smooth side up on one side and rough side up on the other. You then have a 'linen' and a 'leather' paddle strop and all for a damn sight less than what you would pay in a shop. You will end up nicking it up a bit most likely, but that's all right, because you have enough leather left over to make a new one for if and when you need it. You could have this done by the time you get your razor back form Glen and still have time to twiddle your thumbs while you wait.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Ok, why don't you get yourself that $30 bit of leather, cut two 3" wide straps from it. Get a bit of timber, cheap old pine will do, about 1/2" thick, 3 1/4" wide and 5" longer than the straps you cut. Shape the 5" excess into a nice handle shape. Glue down the leather smooth side up on one side and rough side up on the other. You then have a 'linen' and a 'leather' paddle strop and all for a damn sight less than what you would pay in a shop. You will end up nicking it up a bit most likely, but that's all right, because you have enough leather left over to make a new one for if and when you need it. You could have this done by the time you get your razor back form Glen and still have time to twiddle your thumbs while you wait.


Mick

Thanks for the detail! In terms of the leather, on either the smooth or rough side, would I need to do any prep for it to be strop ready? I've seen sanding and pastes mentioned quite a bit.

You can sight the leather so just get a nice unblemished bit. No pastes aren't needed. Just palm rub the leather before each use. Tandy also do 3 inch strips from memory and many people use that. Good luck. Ed

Originally Posted by Jtyson

Thanks for the detail! In terms of the leather, on either the smooth or rough side, would I need to do any prep for it to be strop ready? I've seen sanding and pastes mentioned quite a bit.

Originally Posted by eddy79

You can sight the leather so just get a nice unblemished bit. No pastes aren't needed. Just palm rub the leather before each use. Tandy also do 3 inch strips from memory and many people use that. Good luck. Ed

What Ed said mate. And as for sanding and pastes, I'm against both. It's a personal choice, though if the flesh side is a bit too course to act as your linen, you may want to see if you can smooth it down a bit with sanding. Just be sure it's grit free before you call it finished. Me, I just choose the leather that offers me the least amount of hassles.


Mick

Welcome aboard. I started with that same razor, she'll treat you well.

Get either a cheapie strop to start or something with easily replaceable / upgradable leathers. I prefer an SRD hanging strop myself.

Pm sent, I would be happy to help u out