Which is better paddle or standard strop?

[Seraphim]

OK, if all things were equal-say you had one hanging strop and one paddle strop, both had 24" of length,same leather, 3-4 inches width (would wider be better?), which one would be the better strop to use on a daily basis?

Would the paddle strop be better, as it would keep a consistant blade angle geometry?
Or would the hanging strop be better, as it has some more "give", and thus adjusts to the blade better?

I'm a str8 newbie, and am still waiting to recieve my first razor (hopefully it is en-route...) and am looking for stropping info.

[jlander]

OK, if all things were equal-say you had one hanging strop and one paddle strop, both had 24" of length,same leather, 3-4 inches width (would wider be better?), which one would be the better strop to use on a daily basis?

Would the paddle strop be better, as it would keep a consistant blade angle geometry?
Or would the hanging strop be better, as it has some more "give", and thus adjusts to the blade better?

I'm a str8 newbie, and am still waiting to recieve my first razor (hopefully it is en-route...) and am looking for stropping info.

This is a YMMV question. Everyone has their own preference. I like a hanger for daily use. A lot of people like the paddle. You just have to try each and find out which you prefer.

[Seraphim]

"Try each" he says...

You know where that will lead...
Well, if I follow that advice I'll just have to some 5/8 razors to see if I like them, and then I'l HAVE to go and try some 6/8ths, and see how I like them. Oooh, and maybe I'll have to see if I like Dovo, or TI better (just for the sake of comparrison, of course), or perhaps a custom damascus razor I'd like better....

Sir, from taking a quick look at your B&B wiki entry, you have taken this route yourself!
:001_smile

[joel]

Personal preference. I think most will say hanging strop though - as figure, a paddle strop the same length/width of a hanging strop would be extremely "clunky" as it would have to be quite heavy and awkward. Also - you wouldn't be able to hold something that long.

[kestrel]

Seraphim

Paddle strop for abrasive paste to tone up the edge from time to time, hanging strop for daily maintenance: I wouldn't like to be without either.

Best Regards

Graham

[Thebigspendur]

A hanging strop is considered the traditional way to do it for daily care however its really a matter of which you prefer. In the end they both work equally as good.

[Tony Miller]

Good question. I made a few really long paddles and they are not that user friendly. It is hard to achieve the proper angle over such a long length on a rigid surface. Somehow the give in a hanging strop feels more natural over that length. Now, on a short paddle, many may find it easier to get the right movements.

For the most part, as already said, hanging for daily use, paddles for paste unless you need a compact tool for daily use.

(and no, we will not make long rigid paddles again <g>)

Tony

[Seraphim]

Interesting.

Tony, so how do you arrive at the "ideal" length for a paddle strop?
10"?
18"?

I take it 24" is in the realm of "too long"

I imagine I will have a hanging strop for daily stropping, and get, or make a paddle strop for pasted stropping for maintenance of the edge.

Any input on balsa versus leather for pasted stropping? Or is that a YMMV think too?!:blushing:

[Iacchus]

Good question. I made a few really long paddles and they are not that user friendly. It is hard to achieve the proper angle over such a long length on a rigid surface. Somehow the give in a hanging strop feels more natural over that length. Now, on a short paddle, many may find it easier to get the right movements.

For the most part, as already said, hanging for daily use, paddles for paste unless you need a compact tool for daily use.


Tony

The word of experience has spoken :001_smile

I have one of Mr. Miller's hanging strops for daily use and two of his paddle strops pasted for touch ups ( a 4 side and a wider 2 side model)
For me, this works wonderfully.