Thread: Newspaper strops

I have gone back and searched through the forum for info on newspaper strops, but none seem to answer a basic question I have: on the scale of various kinds of strops...(leather, synthetic (seatbelt fabric), linen, felt, suede, and newspaper), where does newspaper fit in terms of "grit". Sorry if "grit" the correct term...but I think you know what I mean. If you ranked them in order from rough to smooth how would you rank that list? Or is this even a relevant question, i.e. does each one have a specific purpose?

I would not say grit or smoothness, more like aggressiveness. A pasted strop is more aggressive than plain leather and some vintage leathers are more aggressive than others, newspaper is about like some linen.

It is a very subtitle difference and would be very hard to quantify, other than looking at the bevel, and a shave test… and even that would be subjective.

Years ago when I began experimenting with paste, I experimented with newspaper stropping. It does work and very well, though compared to a hanging strop, it is a bit of a hassle.

For me the best newspaper to strop on was the Financial Times, (the Salmon Pink one) it is a heavy rag, unbleached paper and combined with the ink, (which is probably the same for most newspapers), I felt was a bit more abrasive than others.

While it has been years since I stropped on paper, it was very effective as a stop and not really something I use in terms of a progression or a “Pasted” strop, anymore. I find CBN in its various grits much easier to use, though I do spray it, on a paper strop…

The method I used, was to take a single sheet, fold in half widthwise, then in half, lengthwise, then again twice more. Lay the paper on the edge of a flat counter or table with the fold at the edge. strop while holding the paper onto the counter with the other hand. A single paper strop will last several weeks if stored properly.

I even tried a “hanging strop”, folding the entire sheet length wise and looping it over a towel bar, with good results, be careful not to hit the bar.

In a pinch it makes a good travel strop, though here again a good travel strop, is easier to use. It is an inexpensive “pasted” strop, the (clay in the ink) and is a fun experiment, but in the end there are easier, more consistent and better paste/spray alternatives.

Try it…

Good for the honing table too! It assures the edge is as it should be.

~Richard

As a beginner, I am currently using a leather board strop. I posted another thread asking about whether linen is necessary or not necessary. It looks like the consensus is that a linen strop is beneficial. I will probably place my order for a linen/leather hanging strop later this week.

I have been on the shaving forums for just over a year and I find that topics come in and out of fashion. I found the same with newspaper strop threads. This is why I was wondering if newspaper strops were just a passing fad or whether they were just no longer "topic of the day". I like doing things in a simple uncomplicated way. So if newspaper is effective as a strop, then I will use this method until my new linen/leather strop arrives...or even as a travel strop.

I hone my own razors and have found that immediately post-honing I do 50 laps on newspaper and then 50 on leather and I get a nicely polished mirror edge. When I do just leather the edge doesn't seem as fine, but because I am relatively new to this I can't tell if its just my imagination or whether there is an actual difference. I need more experience to sense the differences.

As for a newspaper strop, I try to find a page with print and an image. I fold it lengthwise until I get a 3 inch wide piece the full length of the paper. Then I wrap it lengthwise around the board strop for stability.


In this way I can have the firmness of a board strop with the newspaper being firmly held in place. Seems to work well.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

As a beginner, I am currently using a leather board strop. I posted another thread asking about whether linen is necessary or not necessary. It looks like the consensus is that a linen strop is beneficial. I will probably place my order for a linen/leather hanging strop later this week.

I have been on the shaving forums for just over a year and I find that topics come in and out of fashion. I found the same with newspaper strop threads. This is why I was wondering if newspaper strops were just a passing fad or whether they were just no longer "topic of the day". I like doing things in a simple uncomplicated way. So if newspaper is effective as a strop, then I will use this method until my new linen/leather strop arrives...or even as a travel strop.

I hone my own razors and have found that immediately post-honing I do 50 laps on newspaper and then 50 on leather and I get a nicely polished mirror edge. When I do just leather the edge doesn't seem as fine, but because I am relatively new to this I can't tell if its just my imagination or whether there is an actual difference. I need more experience to sense the differences.

As for a newspaper strop, I try to find a page with print and an image. I fold it lengthwise until I get a 3 inch wide piece the full length of the paper. Then I wrap it lengthwise around the board strop for stability.


In this way I can have the firmness of a board strop with the newspaper being firmly held in place. Seems to work well.

Good quality post. Thanks for posting this.

I've stropped coticule edges on newspaper before, works great!

I've also stropped on yellow legal pads, and that works pretty well too.

Phone books also work!
~Richard

Had a friend who stropped using a leather belt for years....and denim works well also....

Got to take this as "from a Newbie", but...
I use one prior to my line/leather (The Natural from SRD). I'm using it to clean the blade post shave and for a little edge refinement.

I just cut a 3 inch wide folded section from a section that has a full page ad as the first page (lots of ink); leave all additional pages from that section and unfold it. Then put two of the big, black butterfly clips on each end. Attach a piece of 550 cord to a clip and I've got a hanging newspaper strop.

Works well.

When I first started shaving with a straight razor I had to do everything on the cheap. I didn't have a leather strop so I used a denim paddle strop followed by newspaper until I could save up enough to buy a leather strop.