I am so confused! HELP

So I went a little nuts as of late and bought 4 new straights(and have yet to shave with any of them). I need a strop but don't have a clue what to look for. I am thinking of a paddle or loom and maybe even making a loom down the road a ways. I don't really have room for a hanging strop. I still need to get my razors honed and ready to strop. So I guess what I am asking is for a beginner that has some experience sharpening things, kitchen knives and hunting blades, what is the best way to go?

I am a trained chef so making things sharp is important to me and I think I am pretty good at knives but not a clue about razors.

I would suggest trying to find a mentor in your area. I think we have some good choices in the Portland area. That might not be what you're asking for at the moment but nothing beats one on one. Lots of good advice in the "beginner" threads. Whipped Dog makes starter strops, he's a member here. Lots of good feedback from his customers. Many conversations to help answer your questions, cruise and enjoy!

Welcome KingHopper to SRP. A hanging strop doesn't take up much room at all. The pin on a door hinge in your bathroom works just fine. You may have to push the pin hinge up a 1/4 of an inch and hang the metal ring of the strop over top. Visit the SRP library for information on how to get started using a S.R. Youtube also has tons of videos on how to shave, strop, and hone a S.R.

Send 2 or 3 of your razors out to get honed. while you wait a a hanging strop that you can order from many of the venders here.

It may help to tell us the brands of all the razors, if they are new, and maybe where they came from. Not all razors are created equal, and not all arrive shave ready. Like Hirlau said, if they are reputable brand razors, send some out. Sharpening a knife is a lot different to honing a razor.

I am with the others in that you really will enjoy your initial shaves better with a pro honed blade. As for the strop there are many options so I understand that picking one may not be so easy. First off I suggest not spending a lot of money, if you get a hanging strop get it from a vendor that offers replacement leather, it is likely that you will nick up your new strop a time or too. Hanging takes very little room and can be done anywhere. Some bathrooms are too small. A paddle does take a little counter or table space. There are so many vendor to choose from, perhaps you are close enough to a brick and mortar shop to be able to go touch and see. The bench strops with the magnetic and interchangeable surfaces are pretty slick too. PM me if you want to have a long winded chat.

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Originally Posted by KingHooper

So I went a little nuts as of late and bought 4 new straights(and have yet to shave with any of them). I need a strop but don't have a clue what to look for. I am thinking of a paddle or loom and maybe even making a loom down the road a ways. I don't really have room for a hanging strop. I still need to get my razors honed and ready to strop. So I guess what I am asking is for a beginner that has some experience sharpening things, kitchen knives and hunting blades, what is the best way to go?

I am a trained chef so making things sharp is important to me and I think I am pretty good at knives but not a clue about razors.

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You need to PM member "pinklather" . His name is Robert, he can scare somebody up for you. He knows all the experts in that neck of the woods. I believe he is in Scapoose OR............

whippeddog's beginner strops or TM practice strop (with a purchase of his regular TOP NOTCH strops)

well if your shaving with your chef knives id say you can do it ,, get a strop and go for it ,, but I would send some of those razors out to be honed so you can have a decent start at this.. and I have seen a few guys from that area, I know cudarunner is up that way too, he helps a lot of guys ,, I think he responded to your plea for help a few days ago good luck tc

You don't even have to find a local person for honing. For $20 each you can send them to Lynn or I sent mine to Cudarunner on this website. Took about a week and I had all my blades back working perfectly. As mentioned above, starting with a well honed blade is key. And hanging strops definitely don't take up much space. I stuck an o-ringed screw into my wall and it takes up a few inches.

KingHooper,

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. As many gentlemen have noted, it is essential to have your razors honed by a professional to start you on the right foot. Let's hope these razors are good brands. A hanging strop, as also noted, takes little room. Get yourself a good strop, preferably a three-inch, from a reputable vendor. Please make sure you see what you buy — I don't recommend buying something you can't see. Remember, proper stropping is essential to your straight razor shave. Don't worry about nicking your strop — what if you don't nick it? Strop slowly and with a good tempo and you'll be fine. Whatever you do, don't select your tools on the cheap — because cheap will be your result.

Ok so I just got home and mailman brought me a present lol!
Attachment 182523Attachment 182524Attachment 182525Attachment 182526Attachment 182527
Please tell me if I did good or bad with this one it was under $50.

Also have desided to go with a hanging strop from Straight Razor Designs 3" Premium IV English Bridle.
After all I have read from everyone and the reviews on a lot of strops this one has caught my eye and won my perchase.

Thank you all for all of your words of wisdom and addvice, I keep telling people this is a great group of guys!

Looks great. As noted ^ send it to someone for the first shave. You will have soo much on your mind that first shave. The last thing you want is to be worried about is the sharpness.

After that and you are feeling comfortable sharpen the others yourself. You will have a difficult time with it, but you will know what sharp feels like.

That is a beautiful looking boker. Sure you will get a great shave from it. Good luck

Bootiful Razor!!

You should really enjoy the shaves when you get it honed. Strop it up and see if it shaves first. Sometimes they do.

Have fun.

Well Lynn, my wife informed me that she bought me your English bridle 3" strop for Christmas and that I am not aloud to us it till then. Got to lover her but what a tease.

:cry:

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Originally Posted by KingHooper

Well Lynn, my wife informed me that she bought me your English bridle 3" strop for Christmas and that I am not aloud to us it till then. Got to lover her but what a tease.

:cry:

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sounds like an excuse to get a second one as you NEED a strop to start. Maybe one of Niel Millers or a kanamaya might pass in a pinch

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingHooper

Well Lynn, my wife informed me that she bought me your English bridle 3" strop for Christmas and that I am not aloud to us it till then. Got to lover her but what a tease.

:cry:

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I think you need to negotiate with her a bit and see if you can get it a bit early, even if you have to give it back on Christmas eve for wrapping. Explain that you will need to buy one for the interim otherwise.

Thanks Ed I am working on her, I have about three weeks give or take before I have a razor back from honing. I have a very well made leather belt from horse hide that I am going to use if I can't use the strop. The belt is a Galco single non-stiched cost me a boat load but it will be worth it if it works.

For about 5-6 bucks you can make a hanging Nylon/Poly strop, hooked to a doorknob with 18 inches of Para cord or shoe lace, you can teach yourself to strop before Christmas and save a leather strop.

The Nylon/Poly strop will give you as good an edge as leather until you learn to strop and they are almost impossible to cut. If you do, just make another.

And as Lynn said strop them up, they may just shave.

Once you learn to strop and are using your leather, you can paste them.

Read this post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingHooper

Well Lynn, my wife informed me that she bought me your English bridle 3" strop for Christmas and that I am not aloud to us it till then. Got to lover her but what a tease.

:cry:

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I just got that strop last week. You won't be disappointed.

great looking Boker! you can also get the 3" SRD strops. great quality and does a damn fine job too!