Thread: Beginner Strop Dilemma

Hi guys, right I'm in a bit of a quandary regarding strops here. Basically, I have never used a strop and the amount of info available on the internet is all somewhat overwhelming!

Now, the first thing I would just like to know (for general interest) is which type of strop is older/more traditional - the hanging or the paddle? I jsut get the impression that paddle strops were a later invention and that hanging strops were the original strop - is this correct and if so, does anyone know when abouts paddle strops first made an appearance? Bit of a random question, I know...

I have been advised that a linen and leather strop would be best - are hanging strops typically double sided e.g. with a linen side and a leather side? I know paddle strops have this double sided thing going on but I'm not sure about hanging strops. If now, do people usually buy two seperate hanging strops - a leather one and a linen one?

I travel quite a lot and I'm not really worried about not being able to find a place to hang a strop but the thing I am worried about is transporting a hanging strop - does rolling it/folding it up in a bag damage it - I'm guessing they should always remain outstretched...

Also, I have seen a lot of people mentioning pastes and things like that - as a beginner is this something I would need to worry about? What does putting paste on a strop do and how often does this need to be done? I think I would like a relatively low maintanence strop if such a thing exists...

Any info would be very much appreciated - I think a paddle strop would suit me better but I have this weird desire to have the most traditional equipment and so if that means getting a hanging strop even if it is a bit more impractical then I might be tempted to do that...

Thanks guys!!

Can't help much, but here's what I got. You don't need any pastes. I also think a paddle strop is your best option as a traveler, along with some way to keep it from touching anything else in your luggage. If your toothbrush puts a dent in the leather, then that'll be problematic. You can't roll you a hanging stop tightly enough to make it handy for travel without ruining it. Putting paste on a strop makes it unuseable as anything but a pasted strop...which for me, has been useless. For those that succeed with it, it's just another way to make your edge "better", totally personal preference. A good edge doesn't need a million things to keep it that way. A basic paddle strop is what you need. Linen is also a personal preference thing. I use it sometimes..some use it always..some are dead against it. I haven't a clue which came first or if they were invented simultaneously. Hope I helped a little. More opinions will come from others. But I think we'll all agree that all your questions, minus the historical one, will get "personal opinion" answers.

Paddle strops and hanging strops are both traditional based on my Torrey catalogue from the 1890s. I use both, a TM linen/latigo unpasted and pasted bench strops that I make from HandAmerican 12 x 6 leather and planed 24 x 3 x 1 boards acquired from Woodcraft. It is important to keep the strops clean and not cross contaminate grits. Many four sided paddle strops came with a cardboard sleave for this purpose. I keep seperate bench strops for knives and razors.

As has been said both hanging and paddle strops are traditional. I think hanging strops came first but not by much.

For a traveler typically a paddle strop works better. However some people do use hanging strops that they lay flat in there suit case. As to rolling a strop the only type you can do that with is a roo strop. I know a member legion was selling travel roo strops before not sure if he still does. I also know that SRD sells a roo strop but don't know if that is able to be rolled or not you would have to ask them before ordering.

Paste are used by most to refresh an edge that is not working at its peak anymore with just stropping. I like pasted strops I find them easier to learn for beginners then honing as its the same motions you are already using everyday and learning. With good stropping and a pasted strop you can go a very long time before having to hone your razor.

If was a traveling man myself I would go with this loom strop by jemico http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/J42...able-Stretcher

Originally Posted by frankimposter

. . .

1. I have been advised that a linen and leather strop would be best - are hanging strops typically double sided e.g. with a linen side and a leather side? I know paddle strops have this double sided thing going on but I'm not sure about hanging strops. If now, do people usually buy two seperate hanging strops - a leather one and a linen one?

2. I travel quite a lot and I'm not really worried about not being able to find a place to hang a strop but the thing I am worried about is transporting a hanging strop - does rolling it/folding it up in a bag damage it - I'm guessing they should always remain outstretched...

3. Also, I have seen a lot of people mentioning pastes and things like that - as a beginner is this something I would need to worry about?

1. Typically, a "combinaton" hanging strop will have one leather strop, and one canvas strop, hanging from the same metal fitting.

2. Most people say "Don't roll-up a strop". I have travelled with the Whipped Dog "Poor Man's Strop", and rolled it up, and it survived OK. But "store flat" is better.

3. You need to worry about pastes when your plain leather strop (or canvas + leather) won't keep your razor sharp. That happens after months of shaving, usually. And you always want a _plain_ (unpasted) leather strop for daily use. So you buy a second strop, and your first paste, at the same time. Or you put the paste on an old linen strop, or on balsa.

Charles