Thread: stropping for newbies

Originally Posted by Soilarch

Might be the first time I openly disagree.

thebigspendur makes a valid point that you owe it to yourself to learn how to strop with a loose piece of leather eventually. I agree with that much.

However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with using paddle or loom strops. (You've basically made a DIY paddle strop by laying it on the table.)

I think barbers used them because of tradition (a very very valid motivation in this pursuit) but also because there's no better way to save space AND always have something handy than to "hang it" within arms reach.

Heck, I've only visited one "honemeister" he uses loom and paddle and hanging strops. Mastro Livi makes and uses loom strops.


Use what you got. Get what you want. Learn how to use it.

+1. Although I prefer a hanging strop for daily use I have a paddle strop for traveling and I like it very much. For some people it is their method of choice.
I agree that it is probably a good idea to learn to use a hanging strop when you are comfortable with you technique. However there is nothing wrong with using a paddle strop as your primary means of maintaining an edge.
After all, straight shaving is about what works for YOU. Not what works for everyone else. Good luck.

bapsdds,

For me, I found paddle strops much easier to use than a hanger and have used paddles exclusively for the last eighteen months or so

For sake of 'completeness', I have brought my hanging strop skills up to snuff this last month !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

One of my initial goals in this straight razor shaving enterprise was to avoid nicking a strop. So far I've been successful. I started with a paddle stropp and now have a hanger as well. Although there will be a transition to the hanger, I believe it is easier to learn to strop on a paddle and then make the transition to the hanging stropp.

I started out with and continue to use a paddle strop, mostly because my bathroom does not lend itself to a hanging strop. the easiest way I found to learn how and prefect your stropping technique is to use a razor substitute; like a plastic knife with the teeth, (if any) filed off.

The edge of the table trick is one I tell many beginners because it works so well...
Take your time and use that to learn "the Flip" it doesn't much matter what strop you are using you have to learn "the Flip"
Stropping is very easy, "the Flip" is the hard part to learn, are you getting the hint here yet

AFDavis / Alan has a vid on here of him stropping it is well worth it to watch, Alan has one of the smoothest stropping motions you will ever see, and he does a great job of showing you how to master "the Flip"

The absolute best advice to learning to strop is SLOW DOWN...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

AFDavis / Alan has a vid on here of him stropping it is well worth it to watch, Alan has one of the smoothest stropping motions you will ever see, and he does a great job of showing you how to master "the Flip"

Where are the videos on SRP? - I can't seem to find them...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The edge of the table trick is one I tell many beginners because it works so well...
Take your time and use that to learn "the Flip" it doesn't much matter what strop you are using you have to learn "the Flip"
Stropping is very easy, "the Flip" is the hard part to learn, are you getting the hint here yet

AFDavis / Alan has a vid on here of him stropping it is well worth it to watch, Alan has one of the smoothest stropping motions you will ever see, and he does a great job of showing you how to master "the Flip"

The absolute best advice to learning to strop is SLOW DOWN...

Totally agree with everything above, Slower is better than not taking the time to get the razor flat or the flip right. Here is where I found the "simulade" helpful in getting the flip technique and the razor flat without risk of damage to razor or strop.

It's a stcky, in red, in the stropping section.

I have seen stops on ebay that are 2" and a few that are 3". What is a minimum size for a good strop? I use (currently) my old leather belt and a latigo, and do not have any problems with the flipping. I sit down and hold my bel on the floor with my right foot and drape the belt up over my right knee and hold it somewhat taunt with my left hand as I stroke up and then do a tight figure 8 (of sorts) and back down on the leater to go back town and back up slighty to reverse and back up the leater again. I have not nicked the belt...ever. I am just unsure as to the best width. It would seem to me that at least 3" would be nice to strop with as it would mostly cover the entire blade. As is, I have to compensate and on the strokes move slightly diagonally so that I end up getting the whole razor blade touched during the stroke.

Hey Glen!
Can you provide a link to the stropping Video?