Thread: Do You Want The Strop?

So as I was stropping my razor today I was thinking that this was my least favorite part of the ritual. Then I got back to making sure I was all there for the stropping. As I am returning to the shave den (aka, bathroom) I remembered my father asking me with an undercurrent of rage if 'I wanted the strop?' I'm pretty sure if I got an answer out it was no, but often I had to focus on choking back tears because I knew it was coming no matter what the answer was.
I can still see the two component strop hanging in his bedroom closet long after it was used as a tool of guidance.
Maybe I am still carrying those memories into and past my own whipping my kids asses which I did not do often....in fact, if you asked either one of them I'm sure they would not remember a single whipping and never with an object. Just a firm tap on the rump at the right time.
My father was in the generation that inherited their father's strops but probably used a safety razor all of his life. I wish I had his.

My grandad used a safety razor, but had his dad's razor strop and straights in his living room on a shelf. Today they are at my dads house somewhere in a box, he told me the other day that when he finds them they are mine.

I usually got the belt, (which I probably deserved), as my Father never owned a strop. I don't think strops survive like razors do, you see razors handed down as heirlooms, but usually missing the strop.

I would trade you a nice safety razor to get you rid of that memory.

My dad never used a SR and so never had a strop either. I remember getting the belt though. At school you got the strap on the palm of your out stretched hand. Can't say any of that hurt me in the long run. It did teach me that you do something bad the consequences are also bad. Just like life there are consequences to your actions and the only person at fault is you.

Bob

I got the paddle at school. Often. Bored! Mom knew about it as I got home, so I drug my feet getting there. Took a lot of frustration outa her.
She was handy with a heavy pink hairbrush. Had to cut my own switch a few times. Oh well. Thumped my kids a few times. Just like dogs, does not seem to help! Strop woulda been a cruise, next to the switch!

My grandfather never laid a hand on me,,,
My grandmother would hand me the hickery handled field knife & tell me go across the street to the Florida Pines & cut my own switch,,"Bring two, case the first one breaks." she would say.
My mother bought me Hot Wheels for Christmas & used the orange rubber tracks to beat my ass with.
My father used his belt.

I miss my grandfather,,,

Yep. Grandad never touched me either. Could make me feel like a heel like no other. No switch.

Grandad used the electrical extension cord or bare hand depending on severity. Mum usually set the punishment and dad had to carry it out when he got home. Used a leather dog lead on our buts while we touched our toes. Never really harmed us amd a few kids these day could benefit from some old fashioned discipline instead of a slap on the wrist. At least we knew there was a consequence

My father was a nuclear power plant engineer from Romania he never used a straight razor, he used a DE in his youth and switched to an electric razor and never looked back. He did however like to use those skinny leather belts popular in the early sixties to woop the ass of his misbehaving son, Mother had a penchant for exotic hand carved wooden spoons she was ethnically German and believed in rigor and discipline. In retrospect I wish it would of been a strop I would of got a hold of it eventually because I don't like skinny belts and electric razors.