Thread: Bench/paddle vs.hanging strop

Ok, so I've read here http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...stropping.html, all about the differences in stropping and pressure when doing so. My question is, doesn't this all get negated (or mostly) with the use of a paddle or bench strop? And if so, is there a reason to use a hanging strop vs. the bench strop. I currently use a bench strop. It seems to suit me just fine. And it seems as though it takes a lot more practice to be proficient with the use of a hanging strop. All that being said, the logical question is why? If I can achieve a better edge with the hanging strop, I'd like to know. If its all about the same, I'll stick with what I have. I didn't see a specific thread that discussed this but I'm sure it was debated somewhere at some point. Thoughts?

Not a clue, but what with me being in the market for a new strop soon, I'll certainly keep tabs on this thread!
I currently use a hanging linen/leather strop that was donated second hand and has some horrific nicks and cuts (not all my own doing!) and I'm fairly sure that it's dulling my blade...

I have both..for me the paddle strop is easier for me technique wise..the hanging as odd as it sounds I get better rhythm from. The paddle for me leaves me in my mind more assurance that I am not rolling the edge..where as the hanger I get better audible feed back from it.. I like them both and for me they both perform the same..three paddle just is a little more comfort in holding and comfortable feeling in use.
But I use both to make sure that I keep proficient with both of them.
Anthony

Stropping like everything else in this sport is a learned art. The more complicated you make it, the more complicated it becomes. The key is to not bear down on any strop with a lot of pressure and not to be tentative try to use too little pressure. The hanging strop should be held taught and the paddle is already there. You really want to create a good rhythm for yourself and make sure you keep the blade and spine on the strop on both pushing and pulling strokes as well as changing directions by rolling the strop on the spine vs. lifting up at the end of the stroke. Tons of videos on this out there for both paddles and hanging strops. Other than that, it really becomes a matter of preference more than anything else for which you choose to use more often. I use paddles, looms and hanging strops and the only consistency is in the stropping strokes for me.

Have fun.

For reference, I asked a similar question here.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Stropping like everything else in this sport is a learned art. The more complicated you make it, the more complicated it becomes. The key is to not bear down on any strop with a lot of pressure and not to be tentative try to use too little pressure. The hanging strop should be held taught and the paddle is already there. You really want to create a good rhythm for yourself and make sure you keep the blade and spine on the strop on both pushing and pulling strokes as well as changing directions by rolling the strop on the spine vs. lifting up at the end of the stroke. Tons of videos on this out there for both paddles and hanging strops. Other than that, it really becomes a matter of preference more than anything else for which you choose to use more often. I use paddles, looms and hanging strops and the only consistency is in the stropping strokes for me.

Have fun.

Ah, fair enough. I'll stick with what I have then. My concern was that there was a benefit I was missing out on.

Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech

For reference, I asked a similar question here.

Ok, good to know. Again, if its all the same, I'm good with what I have. I just kept reading about all the variables, techniques, and potential problems with doing it incorrectly. And the whole time I'm thinking that it can be avoided with a bench strop. Question answered.

I use paddles for pasted strops and a hanging unpasted strop for daily stropping. The hanging strop gives me a longer run on the strop surface for each stroke, although I do not attempt a really long stroke because very long strokes make me lose uniform consistent contact pressure during the stroke. Placing my hanging strop on a table top sometimes resulted in strop edge micro-nicks where I change razor direction. Stropping with the hanging strop fastened to a towel bar slightly above waist height does not give me this problem. My strop surface and my stropping action have gotten smoother since I started hanging the strop about elbow height. Some micro nicks on my strop have dissapeared and the others have gotten shallower and smoother on their edges. I think that less nicking may be because the strop can slightly twist and flex while hanging and may better adjust to slight errors of my stropping technique. I try to maintain very light consistent pressure evenly distributed between edge and spine and toe and heel. My stropping results have been better improving my razor edges using this approach.

I use paddles for traveling because they are smaller and convenient. I use bench strops for pasted strops. Hangers are for every day use

My two cents...

Have both / use both. Not much difference, save for the perception of the paddle being a little more consistant.

BUT, there's something about a gorgeous piece of leather hanging near the shave station.