Sprung strop - tapered at ends

[amdyh]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie to the board but have been shaving daily now with open razors for about a year. Thanks to the materials on this board, perseverance and lots of Alum I'm getting the hang of it!

I'm finally able to use a hanging strop adequately, having decimated a couple along the way. However I recently purchased a Stretch-Riemen paddle to try. This paddle is what I think is termed a "sprung" paddle? The stropping material is stretched over layers of foam, enabling the surface to "spring". See pics. I'm having terrible trouble using this strop, mainly because the surface tapers at both ends - meaning that the actual flat area of the leather is extremely small. The leather is 8" long in total, but with the tapers at each end the flat surface is only about 5" long (and 1.5" wide). This is a very small area and I'm seeking advice from anyone who uses such a paddle with these tapers.... is the intention to use the whole length and somehow curve the spring of the razor to follow across the tapered areas? or is one supposed to just use the flat(ish) area and not extend over the tapered sections?

I'd be most appreciative some advice!

Thanks,

amdyh

[tintin]

i would assume one is supposed to just use the flat part with the foam in it. would be impossible to follow the taper.IMHO

[BobH]

If I had one I'd just be using the flat surface,

Bob

[amdyh]

Thanks Tintin and Bob... I think you're right - I've just had another attempt

[JimmyHAD]

Welcome to SRP. Has me thinking of a 5" (127mm) hone that many barbers I knew used back in the '80s. Of course they used the X stroke, and the 5" seemed enough for the usually 2&3/4" cutting edge. If you are using an X stroke I think it might be fine.

[dinnermint]

I would imagine that as you use it, the foam may flatten out as well, increasing your stropping area