Thread: Paddle or Hanging?

My razor is winging its way from San Francisco as I (can't wait!), and I hope to be able to afford a strop before it arrives. I've read about not storing one's razor in the bathroom (too humid) and today I now read it's also not a good place to store a strop. Though I guess the bathroom may have been the 'traditional' place to store these items, bathrooms may have been less humid (less use of hot water) and some would have used washstands in a bedroom to shave at. Based on the facts that my bathroom is quite humid (small, old house, long, hot showers), and I may like to hone and strop at night in the lounge room, I'm considering what sort of strop to buy. I'm thinking maybe a paddle strop as it might allow more flexibility in regards to stropping location (no need to attach hanging strop). I think if I strop at night and store the razor in my bedroom, it might be pretty close to being OK to use the next morning. If not, no probs, I can still strop a bit in the morning. I'm thinking a hanging strop would limit exactly where I could strop. I'm even thinking about when I'm camping. I've seen a Boker paddle strop with a slate stone on one side. Could this device be all that one uses; i.e. instead of an actual sharpening stone to hone on as well?

Boker Smooth Russian Leather Paddle Razor Strop With Razor Stone - Knifecenter.com

carlmaloschneider,

I use paddle strops exclusively for my stropping as I much prefer them to hangers. (I use a 'Mark 1' Straight Razor Designs paddle and my superb aluminum modular paddle from Mr Neil Miller.)

As with all things shaving, you really need to find out for yourself what suits you best - hanger or paddle !

Finding a place to attach the hanger to is not that difficult - people use 'C' hooks, carabiners etc and even strong 'string' to attach the strop to door knobs, towel rails etc. Even when camping I bet you could find somewhere to attach a hanger to

So I would suggest you have a go with both types and see what suits you best

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Personally, I prefer a hanging strop, but I also have one of those Boker combo rigs.
I haven't used it very often (only for travel), but it seems to be OK for what it is.

I'm not sure about the "stone" side of the Boker combo, because I've only used it
once, but the leather side works well.

I did lap the stone on a DMT 325 plate when I first got it, and it needed it.

Paul

Thanks for the replies; I think I'll go with a paddle strop; but maybe not the combo with the stone. I think I get what you're saying, PaulKidd; that the stone wasn't flat?

No, the stone was pretty flat already. I just meant that I lapped it anyway, but I haven't used
it enough to vouch for it's usefulness as a "touch up" stone.

Sorry, I'm showing my ignorance; I'll need to go and look up 'lapping'... :-)

Let me clarify: If I had to choose, I would choose a hanging strop. But that's my personal
preference.

You can contact either Legion or MickR, both of whom are members here, and they both
make hanging strops made of kangaroo leather. I have one made by MickR, I use it daily,
and I would recommend it to you.

For me, the Boker paddle strop is just too small for daily use. It's fine for travel, but I
would not choose to use it every day.

The Boker leather is good quality, it's just too short and narrow for my taste. The stone
is "slate" and even Boker can't tell you what the grit rating is.

Like I said, I've only used it once, on a road trip, so please don't consider this a full review
of the product.

I have both and much prefer the Paddle strop, in my case the SRD Modular with the Bridle leather pad. I can use my hanging strops but have really gotten fond of sitting and using the paddle strop and doing lots of passes. It's almost a meditative activity like honing can be.

As for stropping before shaving, I don't think it is necessary to strop immediately before a shave. I've never done it. I strop my razor the night before I shave, coat it with Renaissance Wax and store it in the bedroom, not the bathroom. That way, if someone breaks in I can use it for self-defense because it is shave-ready and self-defense-ready as well.

go hanging! dont give in to the easy side!

I like a hanging strop as my daily driver. I mainly use a paddle as a pasted strop once in awhile when I feel the need. The hanging strop having more length is more effective IMO. Here is a tutorial explaining lapping.