Thread: Which Strops for a Beginner

Originally Posted by cbaytan

Thanks, yes, I am planning to get modular paddle strops too but with more pad options than Lynn's which has optional pads for kitchen knives we destroyed the edges in the dishwasher in the 80C drying process.

If getting a paddle with pastes don't use the same pads for knives as razors. Razor quality pastes are more like polishes and aren't really going to be much use on knives unless you have sharpened them beyond what would be considered normal. Razor pastes ate usually around 30k. For a knife 6k would be more than most would use. Once you can strop properly though razor quality paste can keep your razor shaving for a good while.

Originally Posted by eddy79

If getting a paddle with pastes don't use the same pads for knives as razors.

Oh yeah, knife and razors honing tataly different worlds, I am well aware of that.
I was going to ask in honing question later, but let me ask you now. Cansider I am using a naniwa 4k/8k type of stone to hone my razor, can I use "same" stone with kitchen knives also, not forgetting tthe lapping of course? Or should you get a special 4/8k stone just for razors?

Originally Posted by cbaytan

Oh yeah, knife and razors honing tataly different worlds, I am well aware of that.
I was going to ask in honing question later, but let me ask you now. Cansider I am using a naniwa 4k/8k type of stone to hone my razor, can I use "same" stone with kitchen knives also, not forgetting tthe lapping of course? Or should you get a special 4/8k stone just for razors?

Although yes you can use them for knives I personally think its overkill for your average chef knife. I usually use something like a 300, 600 and finish on a 1000 and that's enough for me. If you decide to use them for Cutlery you of course will have to Lap them back into shape before using them on Razors, and to me that's just a waste of stone. Knife honing can dish the heck out of your fine stones if that's all your using, But its your choice.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Although yes you can use them for knives I personally think its overkill for your average chef knife. I usually use something like a 300, 600 and finish on a 1000 and that's enough for me. If you decide to use them for Cutlery you of course will have to Lap them back into shape before using them on Razors, and to me that's just a waste of stone. Knife honing can dish the heck out of your fine stones if that's all your using, But its your choice.

I'll politely disagree with that if I may. The stones we use to sharpen razors, we're mostly, if not entirely, made for the purpose of Sharpening knives and tools, that's the purpose of the stone. To avoid using a stone on a knife because it might wear the stone reminds me of this old saying.

"Buying a new car and not driving it to keep the miles low is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she's still tight for the next guy"

Exaggerate if you must, but yes of course they are for knives. I just mentioned that I wouldn't be using such high grit stones solely to hone a bunch of kitchen knives. Its a lot like trying to wax my low mileage car with a bag of cotton balls and a tin of kiwi. But if that's all you got to work with please do.

I know, there was a bit of sarcasm in my answer. But honestly, I could sharpen a kitchen knife thousands of times on a norton 4/8 and not put a dent in it. I would never put any of my kitchen knives on a 300 or 600 grit stone either. Which brings up a reason why I love this hobby. There's an infinite number of ways to to the same task, nobody is right or wrong, it's about doing what you are comfortable with.

Back to the OP. You may not know what to look for in a vintage strop, but that's what this site is for. You ask for help. I have two extra vintage strops lying around that I would be glad to sell you for no profit. I tend to buy things when I see a good deal, even if I don't need it.

I would not use a nice strop for a while. It takes a few weeks to stop nicking the strop. I was very glad to have used an inexpensive practice strop before I started on the good one. I really gouged out some huge divots! I would have been very disappointed had I done that to my good strop.

The good news is that a decent strop doesn't cost a fortune and you can spend $30 on something nice (many good ones have already been mentioned) that will do a good job but that you won't feel terrible WHEN not if you cut the heck out of it!

Mostly though, don't worry about it. It will happen and that's OK. Soon enough muscle memory will kick in and you will experience "the zen of shaving" while stropping. It's the best part of my day!


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I wouldn't recommend a Kanayama as a beginner strop as for you will definitely knick the leather.
Illinois and SRD strops are good to begin with. I like Tony Miller Strops, but steer clear from Kanayamas until you have the technique down.

Kind of related to the OP question.

Is there any maintenance required for a pasted strop?
It's a once a month or every few months thing, so will it dry out or anything?
Also don't want to contaminate other strops, so should be kept somewhere else?

Thanks much folks, I have 2 more questions,

1-What is the Lynn's user name, his website didnt reply to my email.
2-What balm or oil I should get especially for Illinois strop maintanence and how I use it properly? (My hands are extremely dry)