Thread: Paddle Strop -vs- Loom Strop

I have two great hanging strops; An SRD and a Tony Miller Horsehide. Love them both, but I find I am not using the linen or poly web. I also have a small dual sided travel paddle strop from Stropman that is napped leather with CROX on one side and smooth leather on the other. I really like the portability of the paddle (though the Stropman is a basic model with no spring action to the bed). I like to hone in various spaces and don't always have access to a convenient hook.

I've narrowed my options to two. A paddle strop & a loom strop.

Paddle strop options are a modular style or a fixed two sided. SRD and The Invisible Edge both have nice modular strops, but I don't see myself using that many different materials. I need one napped leather for pasting and one smooth for final stropping. A two sided smooth leather with one side sprayed could work fine. The Custom Sprung Latigo Strop has my eye... pricey, but beautiful. Good stuff ain't cheap and cheap stuff ain't good!!

The other option is a loom strop. Same options as the two sided paddle strop with the advantage of being able to use the back side of the leather as well (though not nearly as convenient). Invisible Edge has a nice one.. Less expensive than their paddle, replaceable leather, adjustable tension and appears to be equally well made.


Here's the dilemma... Action. A hanging strop can be self-correcting to a degree. If the blade is presented to the strop with a slightly off spine angle, toe to heel, the strop will twist as needed. Not so with the paddle. Possible with loom, though to a limited degree I would think. Likewise, the hanging strop and the loom have the benefit of being able to control tension. No go with the paddle strop.. the feel of the tension is limited to the flexibility in the bed.

For now I have eliminated the modular paddle from my options.

So which way to go? Two sided paddle strop or two sided loom strop? The paddle might have a slightly longer stropping area, depending on the model. I would love to hear from those of you who have used either or both.

I have wanted to build a really nice loom strop since 2008 when Lynn brought his Livi one to the NC meet

They just have a certain "je ne sais quoi" about them that really appeals to me, I have a couple of Vintage ones but they are maybe 1.5 inches wide and more travel strop oriented IMHO

The paddles I've seen are pretty much for travel use and are pretty small. I have one and only use it for travel. I have a Livi Loom and to tell you the truth I rarely use it. it's more a collectible however it's a real primo strap and probably the top of the line when talking strop types. I should use it more.

I think it is more about personal preference as they all have their own following. For example I have always liked my hanging strop, son #2 is also a straight razor shaver, but likes the paddle over the hanging. He gets good use out of his edges too, so his stropping isn't lacking. I think you need to go to a meet and try some out and find out what is your sweet spot, of course it is more fun to buy one of everything.

Used to make Looms,not anymore, far to much work

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Used to make Looms,not anymore, far to much work

Holy Smokes.. that's a beauty.
[/wipes drool]

Got any of those lying around?

I am not looking to abandon my hanging strops, my TM is wicked nice. I am leaning towards the loom strop. I think the paddle is going to leave me cold..

What do you need a hook for a master lock of the right size or a piece of paracord with the right knot and you are good to go an example being that I often use the downstairs living room table to anchor my strop too

Originally Posted by MikekiM

Holy Smokes.. that's a beauty.
[/wipes drool]

Got any of those lying around?

I am not looking to abandon my hanging strops, my TM is wicked nice. I am leaning towards the loom strop. I think the paddle is going to leave me cold..

No,Never made one for myself,am old and slow,they take about 25 hrs to make

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Used to make Looms,not anymore, far to much work

That's an "entry level" loom strop,,,, if you want to see a what a real loom looks like, then you need to follow this link,,,

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...oom-strop.html

I remember that strop.I bought it in Mexico