Thread: Moving from hanging strop to paddle

I used a paddle til I got used to stroppping. Now I use a hanger and the last month or so, I let it slack a little. Really improved the edge IMO.
I do 50 before and 50 after.

I use them all hanging, bench, loom. I see no ill effects going from one to another.

When people talk about rounding an edge they usually talk about bad stropping or using pasted strops over very long periods of time.

I'm beginning to really enjoy the way thebigstpendur puts an end to hand wringing in some of these threads.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I use them all hanging, bench, loom. I see no ill effects going from one to another.

When people talk about rounding an edge they usually talk about bad stropping or using pasted strops over very long periods of time.

I have recently converted a few friends and family members to the SR world. This experience has confirmed that diminishing variables is very important. I think the solid strops are more forgiving, especially for newbies. I have now bought and used so many that I am convinced that they are equal to any hanging strop. In fact, this may become the defacto standard - dare I say it - "someday replacing the hanging strop". There is a lot of room for error when using a hanging strop for the first time. While I will never part with mine, there is no reason not to use the solid strops exclusively. In my experience, they are equal to any hanging strop without the "hanging" variables.

I have only used a paddle strop. I've never found a reason to abandon it. I usually stop my razor the night after my shave for a few minutes while watching TV. I find it an easier set up than having one hang in the bathroom. I asked the same questions and got the same answers. Its just whatever works best for you.

I thought my acquisition disorder was over, but dadgummit now I HAVE to try a paddle strop.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I thought my acquisition disorder was over, but dadgummit now I HAVE to try a paddle strop.

Don't go running off to the Strop Shop yet. I picked up an old Russian Hide strop stamped from a barber's college in Seattle now gone). My mentor helped me rejuvenate it and also recommend a paddle till I felt comfortable stropping. I am a sort of how can I save money while spending (too much) money kind of guy. Lumber yard. Scrap pile. Chunk of approx 3/8 board. Cut to width of strop by about 2 -3 inches shorter. Inserted between front and linen back. Held on with a couple of Velcro straps. Cost, nothing (had the Velcro from years past for something else.} It hangs in bathroom right handy for my shaving process. I have a low humidity b'room. My cats hate a closed door, always scratching at them. Try it. Worked wonders for me.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I thought my acquisition disorder was over, but dadgummit now I HAVE to try a paddle strop.

The only way to escape it is death.