Thread: 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.

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.