Thread: Buying first stop...help me on my quest.

Originally Posted by ladavis89

Haha thanks for the heads up. how do tell its crap? just experience or is it the make up of the strop?

Its on ebay.

Save your money for another little bit, and then head over to the SRD website and check out the "strop shop". You can't go wrong with anything from them. Top notch strops. My favorite is the Premium III, but many others here also like the Premium I and IV.

Many people say not to fall in love with your first strop because you'll end up cutting it learning how to strop.

Would you consider a paddle strop? It's much easier to learn on and it's convenient for travel. The main downside is it doesn't hang right beside your sink. The main upside is you probably won't hack it to pieces learning how to strop. I haven't...yet.

I would consider a paddle strop. However, if I learn on one, will it make it easier to learn on a regular strop? Or will I still have the same learning curve I have now?

I don't know the answer to that question as I'm satisfied with my paddle strop. I guess you'd have to ask yourself if you need a hanging strop for any particular reason.

I get the feeling from watching videos that a hanging strop is faster.

Paddle strop is easier to start on considering you don't have to worry about how much pressure you need for a hanging one. Paddle strop just a small amount of pressure, you know it will be flat and straight cause its a paddle strop. I just like them more now too.

That is true, and I may buy a paddle strop later on. But, I wanted to learn on a hanging strop because if I can master that, I can surely use a paddle strop correctly later on.

Don't buy anything marked B&B. Really very low quality, crap.

I'm currently eying the SRD modular paddle Strop. Anyone have any experience with it? I'm new to straight edge shaving, but I'm not going back to cartridge (I can guarantee it, my skin won't let me) - and I'm no stranger to knife care (I've also been preferential to a Sapphire stone to finish off an edge, and never tried a leather strop).
Or what about a Roo strop?
Looks like I'll be spending 60-90 for the strop...

Avoid eBay like the plague. Its just far too easy to pick up something rubbish and chuck the money away on something you cant use. Once you've spent a bit more time here and got some good kit you'll know what to look out for and the markers of rubbish kit. As a rule "shaving" kits (apostrophes deliberate because you cant actually shave with them) from eBay like Zeepk, B&B and so on are useless and poorly made.

I'd recommend one of the SRD strops, whether one of the Premium line or something like the red or black latigo. I have the black latigo with webbed fabric and its fantastic. Not too pricey to buy, does a great job and has the benefit of being modular so if you do nick the leather you can replace it for a pretty small outlay. That would be my pick.