Thread: Hello to all

I have been cartridge shaving since 1979. A couple of weeks ago I made the switch to DE razor shaving, and studying this has quickly led me to straight-razor shaving and your informative forum. Looking forward to making the switch when the time comes.

I have a question concerning stropping. My understanding is that most people use a belt to strop on a daily basis, but I am thinking to try paddle-stropping from the start (not having to concentrate on pulling the belt taut would be one less thing to worry about--no?). But most of the ones I have seen for sale have been of the small "travel" size. Another possibility would be to make a paddle strop of my own from the start; but here I am wondering if this is such a good idea for a beginner, since a manufactured strop could at least be counted upon to deliver what it is designed to do (or at least in theory), as opposed to one that is custom-manufactured by a person who has never stropped a razor before.

Any thoughts or advice on this would be appreciated.