Thread: Storage for 4 sided paddle strop

I just bought a 4 sided paddle strop and have so far pasted 3 sides, leaving the 4th untouched for now because I haven't quite figured out how to store this without risking contamination. I keep it in a plastic bag resting on the unfinished side but that a awkward. I was thinking of attaching a leather thong to the handle and find a place to hang it where the sides don't touch anything. Curious as to how other members store their 4 sided strops to avoid contamination

Store in a plastic bag large enough to hold it. I was fortunate to buy my paddle from Tony Miller. He supplied a plastic bag for it.

I store mine on a shelf with no bag and every side is pasted 3.0,1.0,0.5,0.25 and have not had a problem. I was wondering about the bag when I bought it and finally came to the conclusion that I could not put it in the bag the same way every time and, thus it would be worse than the shelf. Once you have used the thing for a while (go light with the paste if you applied it, use less than half of what Tony gave you) it kinda grinds in and will be very stable. Wipe off the plain side with at clean cloth and I personally think you will be fine. When honing make sure you wipe the razor when changing sides.

Take Care,
Richard

I also got mine from Tony and still have the bag so I do use that..I was worried that - even within the bag - some of the paste might rub off/transfer to another surface. I did paste very lightly initially so I don't think I have a lot of excess that will come of easily.

I'm still uncomfortable laying it flat even in the bag so I think I will drill a hole through the handle and run a small strip of leather so I can hang it up.

Thanks for the suggestions

Regards,

Joe

Here's a thought - find a box that aluminum foil or saran wrap comes in - there are usually different sizes, and FWIW the aluminum foil comes in pretty decent sizes, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one that fits your four sided strop. Place paddle strop in box lengthwise, voila! Paddle strop storage done. Every couple of months you get a box like anyway.

Alternatively, cut a cereal box vertically to fit the paddle strop, leaving enough from one of the wide faces to fold over to tape to the other side, forming a sqare "tube" that you could slide it into.

But, this is my problem with paddle strops, especially four sided ones; grit transfer. I would worry about some of the one micron diamond getting onto the .25 micron side and so forth. I think I would prefer to have two two-side strops than one four-sided, but as it is I have six or so single sided strops that I swap in and out of a base, similar to the hand american idea. It's easy to just put each strop in it's own dedicated bag to keep it clean.

I keep this on my kitchen near my knives and butcher block so I can maintain my knives easily without using a steel, and I just switch out the inserts for whatever I need.

Here's some pics:

won't it set on its end like this?

This question has plauged mankind since the beginning of time. I have two of Tony's super wide paddles, 1.0, .5, .25 and cr02. At first, I stored them standing up on a shelf in my walk in closet. I have shelves for Hones, Razors, Razor Coffins, pastes, slurry stones, etc, etc...Anyway, now I just put them in the bag Tony provided and lay them down. I thought about drilling a hole in the handle and hanging them, but if that's such a good idea, why didn't Tony do it. You could take a piece of leather string/cord and tie it around the handle and hang it that way, so you don't have to deface the paddle. As a matter of fact, I'm going to call him and ask when he gets back from his vacation. I'll re post my findings. I don't think it's going to be to much of an issue. so far, I don't really see anything on the bags. I think once you apply it and let dry for 2 days or so it's on there, ain't comin off. IMHO.