Hmmmm, did you mean to say Horsehide/Latigo or is there really such a thing as a linen paddle? :hmmm:
Printable View
Well, considering the areas that the Amish shave, I'm not surprised they don't use straights. I had thought it was just under the nose, but Tony mentioned a bit on the cheeks as well. If I chiefly shaved under my nose, I don't know if I would choose a straight either. I would probably choose a DE. That's right, I said it. D. E.
Tony could probably make you one, assuming he's still making 2.5" paddles.
I've had this one for a long time but haven't really used it much until recently, because the linen side required some adjustment to my technique. It turns out the linen side is much faster than the leather side and because of this it really needs a little more length than a normal paddle. On my standard-length paddle I would occasionally run the razor off the end and wind up damaging the edge. It took me a while to reliably shorten my stroke enough to avoid this. So if you get one I'd get him to lengthen the paddle about 1-1.5 inches. But this will also increase the weight which may be a problem in its own right.
OK, this linen paddle idea has got me thinking. What type of paste on a leather paddle would accomplish an equivalent function? In other words does the linen paddle do anything that couldn't be accomplished with the more conventional approach? Anyway, that photo looks cool. I would think that the linen surface is less messy than a CrO paddle if it was stuck in luggage.
Hmmm..... if the only purpose of the linen is to lengthen the time between time on the hones... and tri strops are unavailable for an indefinite amount of time..... I do love my hones but patience patience..... think the linen prolongs blade life if it means less time on the hones? Leading to less metal reduction overall even if the linen is taking a tiny bit?