Thread: Modular Strop Everyday

I noticed a lot of folks comment that you can even use the SRD Modular Paddle everyday.

Wondering why that is a caveat?

I am a beginner who is only DE shaving now and plan on Razor and strop for Xmas.

Seems to me as a beginner this paddle would be more forgiving and consistent until I get better.

What am I missing, if anything..

In general most people prefer to use a hanging strop. Couple reason is that it typically is longer, typically has two different components, typically more convenient, and has a more historical feel to it.

Longer equals less laps.
Two components is that it is normally recommended to use plain linen,Cotten,webbing, or felt before the leather side.

Convenience is that you hang the strop near where your going to shave and its always a simple reach away.

Historical feel is in the eye of the person. Paddles are just as old if not older. But most people think SR and picture the hanging strop.


Now with that said I am a big fan of paddle strops. I have used one as my everyday strop for over a year before. Just recently broke out one of my hangers again and am probably going to go back to the paddle.

For me all of the above things really didn't affect me. If you do count laps or are reading something on here about laps you will have to adjust for length of your strop.

Also as a new shaver a paddle will take out the factor of a taut strop versus a tight strop and give you less things to think about while starting out.

I normally use a hanging strop. That said, I use paddle strops after honing and if I am away from home. If you have a flat surface/ counter top with the room for it; a paddle strop is a great way to learn and strop till you have progressed to the point that you would might want a hanging strop. There is no onus either way.
~Richard

SRD Modular Paddle stop is a great choice for a beginner. It has a generous stropping surface. You don't have to worry about keeping it flat or taught, it does that for you. You can experiment with a variety of leathers without buying a whole new strop and find the one right for you. You wont have to worry about cupping and deformation of the leather something that can plague some hanging strops over time. Comes with a set of leathers and felt surfaces for experimentation with sharpening pastes and sprays. I personally sanded the nap down on the scrub leather and then pasted it with a Chromium oxide crayon for touch ups with great effect. Its a versatile tool that can be customized to your preferences. Much less chance of making beginner stropping mistakes and will get your blades tuned up for a great shave.

SRD's paddle strop would be a perfect choice for a beginning shaver. You have a great selection of materials to choose from besides the ones that come with your strop.

At some point on down the road you can add a hanging strop if you feel like you might want to use one as well. Hanging strops are not mandatory.

Enjoy and please keep us posted.

I'm with Razorfaust and Iz6 on this one. I have the SRD Modular Paddle Strop and it is by far the most versatile and easy to use strop there is. Others have pretty much covered the options it gives you, except no one has mentioned mobility around the house. Like Geezer, I use a paddle strop when I travel and want a SR with me, but at home I use the modular one and you're not tied (literally) to a fixed location. I can take it in the family room if I want to see a ball game while stropping, or I can carry it to my office/workshop where I do my honing if I want to. In short, it could be your only strop forever and you'd be OK. I, of course, have several other hanging strops and I rotate among them, but for a sure bet starting out, I don't think the Modular paddle strop from SRD can be beat.

The SRD modular paddle is the only strop I own.It has worked great for the 6 years I've been using a straight razor.

I too love my Modular, I use it everyday. That being said there's nothing quite like the feel of a hanging strop. A paddle strop doesn't give me the same satisfaction. It's a real treat when I do use one.

Would recommend for a beginner.

Originally Posted by gflight

I noticed a lot of folks comment that you can even use the SRD Modular Paddle everyday.

Wondering why that is a caveat?.

Many have it because it is modular so you can change the pads for use with different pastes and sprays and that is mainly what they use it for and use a hanger for daily use.

I think the comment that a modular strop is for beginners isn't true. I have one and it offers much more options then a hanging strop. I have discussed which is better, a hanging strop or hard service and people like Mastro Livi and Murray Carter believe a firm service enables you to do less laps with better results. Again, if a hanging strop works and you want to do 50-100 laps then stay with it. I find I don't need more then 20 laps with my English leather SRD modular strop. I see no difference doing 40-50 laps on the modular then doing 20. Whats more effective is using my 20k Suehiro when the blade tugs then 10-15 laps on the modular strop.