A good strop for a bad stropper?

I'm looking to buy a good stop. I'm not good at stropping myself, but I want there to be no question about whether or not my deficiencies are the result of a bad tool. I want to take that uncertainty (however remote it may be in reality) out of the picture so I can focus on improving.

A recommendation would be wonderful. However as I don't 'know,' strops I'm looking for, let us say, a strop which is to stropping what a Norton 4/8 or Naniwa SS hone is to honing. Something ubiquitous and well-liked.

When I started I quickly moved to clamping my hanging strop on the counter to keep it flat, with a little tension on the handle.
Glen aka Gssixgun aka Gem Star Customs has a great entry level bench strop and SRD has a modular paddle strop.

Taking the whole tension thing out of the equation was a big help for me getting started, there is so much to learn...

And slow down, at 2 seconds a lap you can 50 done in less than two minutes, you will come to enjoy it...

Smooth shaving...

Go with Lynn's Modular Paddle Stropp. You'll get the hang of it quickly.

+1 on the Paddle Strop. I also have the one from SRD. Hopefully it can minimize mistakes. The only advice I can add is to have patience and go slowly. Build up some muscle memory and you'll get it down!

Hey Savage. I'm somewhat known for having brutalized strops when I learned - ate 5 of them. I'm no help to a new shaver if I hide my screw-up. The strop carnage was from the single misconception that I would/should be able to stop the stroke dead - no movement - while the edge was still in contact w/ the strop. This was one of my more costly misconceptions. There are others. As each misconception falls, my satisfaction jumps. 'Stropping, honing, shaving are all more satisfying.

The best source for perspective on stropping I've seen was Glen's 3/11 'Beginners Tips'.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html

The honorable Mrsell has a good one on another site.

The paddle strop seems a fine way to go. Glen's counsel to use a hanging strop laid on a flat surface would be a good start to using a hanging strop.

2 thoughts on strops: buy cheap, 'cause you're gonna hack it up.
Cheap strops work fine, but have a long break-in, during which time they're
marginal in performance. 1-2,000 strokes w/ the palm of the hand helps
speed break-in.

Or buy one that offers low cost replacement components. This way you can
return to 'pristine' for a modest cost.

Latigo: works great, but is 'grabby' in its draw friction. When it grabs, it wants
to rotate on the spine & send the edge into the leather. This does nothing to
improve your attitude. I'm using a cowhide from hidestoart that I'm liking
alot. 'Has the draw of latigo w/out the grab.

Rest assured that 20,000 strokes from now - it won't be an issue.

Alot of folks here are recommending paddle strops- and for good reason.
I personally prefer a hanging strop, and if you too would rather go that route I would recommend any of the SRD 3" hangers..... I say this with reason- first off you can buy a great quality entry leather for cheap enough, if (when) you nic it, cut it etc the leathers are replaceable for a fair price with out having to buy a whole new thing- and when your ready to step it up a notch you can choose to purchase a premium leather blank the is interchangeable- so upgrading to buffalo or roo is as easy as 3 screws...

Yes in know the paddle is modular with the same options too.. But if a good hanging strop is what you want I think it's your best option.

Best of luck!

My advice would be to start with an inexpensive strop made with quality leather. You will nick it no doubt. Once your stropping improves and you no longer nick, then you can buy the best you an afford with no guilt.

I have to vote for the paddle strop from SRD. It is now my go to strop, and takes a lot of the guesswork/experimentation (mistakes) out of the mix. If I had it to do again, I'd get the modular one from them.

I'm relatively new, 15 months now, to straight shaving. I've used SRD's modular magnetic paddle strop for over a year, as my only strop with excellent results. The modular strop solves the sag problem and helps you to concentrate on keeping the spine and edge on the hard surface throughout each stroke. It is very versatile for both stropping and refreshing razors. It's very portable, can be used in any room and it's customizable with different leathers available from SRD or other suppliers. I've customized my paddle strop to use five different leathers, including split-hide Russian leather and shell cordovan and have prep pads of scrub leather, hard felt, cotton canvas and flax linen. I also use separate paddle strop pads to use diamond spray and Crox to refresh razors. I also sometimes use Crox treated 3"x11" balsa wood block with a magnetic backing that I attach to the modular strop. The 3"x12" SRD modular paddle strop is a very versatile, user friendly interchangeable stropping and refreshing system in one portable unit. Recently I got my first hanging strop but will always use my modular strop.

Thanks to everyone who answered. You've given me a lot to think about.

Everyone has recommended the paddle so Ill give you a couple hanging strops. The Illinois razor co strops, Star Shavings big daddy and The frilly strop all well priced and recommended for beginners. The big daddy has replacement pieces so is you stuff it you just replace it.

I think I'm going to order some modular strops: a paddle strop and a hanging strop. I'll try both and see which one feels best, and then hopefully in time I can learn both.

I have both a paddle for when I'm on the road and a hanging for at home. They both get the job done.