Thread: new paddle strop from Tony

Just got more stuff and naturally I've got more questions. Sorry. Just got a new Heirloom Horsehide/Latigo 3 1/4" Paddle Strop from the well shaved gentleman store and the directions on the item discription say

Start on the Red Latigo for extra draw to quickly align the razor's edge then finish on the velvety Horsehide surface.

but the printed instructions that came with the strop say

The dark, oily finish leather is designed for daily stropping as described above. The light colored leather is natural finish smooth leather designed to hold fine abrasive pastes.

now I already have a 3 1/4" paddle strop tan on both sides for abrasive pastes and I wanted to make sure if the lighter leather on the other side of this one was or wasn't the same tan leather used for pastes.

any assistance would be greatly appreciated

Saladbar2000,

Any chance you called or emailed Tony about this dilemma? Seems like that might be the best place to start.

Bruce

It seems like he usually shows up in these threads sooner or later. Maybe that would have been the smart thing to do though.

The Horsehide/Red Latigo paddles came out after the instructions were made so go by the website. The instructions are for pasted paddles with either the light tan or honey brown pasting leathers WITH pastes. If one of those was purchased not pasted either side could be used for finish stropping depending on how smooth one likes their strop.

The Horsehide is an earthy brown/tan color with a bit of mottled variation. It is much thicker than a pasting paddle. On these one should start on the red and finish on the Horse side. Or just use the Horse first if you like smooth strops for some razors and on the Red if you like more draw on heavier razors.

Do not paste the Horsehide as it is just a waste of expensive leather. For pasting the plain jane natural is all that is needed.

Tony

yeah, I wasn't planning on pasting this strop. I got this one for daily use. So I use the dark side first and the lighter side after, right. Also, should I use strop dressing on either sides? I don't see the neats foot oil but I do have some Fromm strop dressing. according to your instructions it says it isn't necessary until maybe a few weeks after receiving though, right?