Is there any difference between stropping on a hanging strop and a loom strop?

I have a question about these two types of strops. I own three strops that get regular use. I have a Haldy's Old Scott which is plain leather and an Old Gold strop which is leather and silk webbing. I also have a baby loom strop which is my traveling strop and the strop I take with me when I shave at the gym.

The way I use these is I do fifty laps on the silk, then fifty on one leather strop which has more draw and I finish with fifty on the leather that has the least amount of draw. Then I pack my razor in my gym bag and head off to the gym. So when it come time for the shave the razor should be ready to go, but being a person with shaving related OCD I like to give it an additional twenty or so laps on the loom strop immediately before the shave.

What I wanted to know (I got to the question eventually) is, does stropping on a loom strop and a hanging strop do the same for a razor? The hanging strop will always have some sag, no matter how tight you hold it, but the loom strop is a flat surface. After stropping on hanging strops, would the very edge of the blade actually touch the leather on a loom strop, or am I just indulging my OCD?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

yeah there is definately a big difference.....one strops...uhm....one....looms.. :)

seriously, though, for a beginner, the loom can be easier to keep dead flat, whereas a hanging strop can twist if you use it improperly. the finish should be the same from both types...or has been for me so far.

the loom strop keep the strop tight so there not any sag in it which makes for a beter stroping surface i ues both kinds.

A strop is a strop no matter if its a paddle, hanging, loom or any of the other things people use like their arms. Its all about the operator and how he uses it and his skills.

Another factor is whether the razor has been honed with layers of tape or not - the sag of a hanging strop will contact the bevel, a paddle with no give might not prove so effective. Looms are more subject to sag than paddles if the leather is supported at just two ends (catenary), though - although over such a short distance its effect is minimal.

Regards,
Neil

could it be said that a loom strop is the compromise between a paddle strop and ahanging strop?

it will have some sag, although very little when tightened. it wont be as flat as a paddle strop though.

some might consider this the best of both worlds(between paddle and hanging strop). some may use it much like a hanging strop but find the ergonomics better.

for those that want a completely flat strop: why use a loom strop instead of a paddle strop?

The one difference I see is length. Assuming that you use the full length of your hanging strop , as I do, the loom, being shorter, would require more laps to get the same results. Not , of course, in your situation since you've given the razor a good stropping before you left for the gym.

An interesting experiment would be to try the razor without using the loom and see if the shave is equal to that following the loom strop. This would take some self control though. :)

Since I first started this thread I have stopped using the loom strop so much. I have found that the small loom strop didn't actually add anything to the shave. I recently had the leather on my loom strop replaced, so what I can tell you is with the old leather the loom strop was actually doing more harm than good. The new leather wasn't really having any effect.

But that doesn't mean I will be getting rid of this loom strop. It will still come in handy if I go away for a couple of days, like my upcoming holiday in three weeks time. Chiang Mai here I come.