Newbie Strop Buying Question

[beachape]

Hello All,

I'm new to wet shaving, just started DE about a month ago. Haven't started with a straight, but I'm looking to start in a few months (maybe a christmas present to myself, ha). Anyways, I want to buy my items carefully because I'm a grad student without much money. My question today is really about buying the appropriate maintenance equipment, I'll save razor questions for another day.

After reading a bunch of threads, it seems to me the most cost-effective maintenance would be a 4 sided paddle strop with 3,1,0.5, and 0.25 diamond paste. Then I would need another hanging strop w/o paste as well. My understanding is that this will get me through for a while without having to send the razor in for honing. Does this seem like a pretty good option?

If so, I've heard that tony miller strops are the best strops for the money...but unfortunately he has decreased/suspended production. Does he take a waiting list? If so are there particular strops that you recommend asking him about.

If not a tony miller, any other 4-sided paddles or hanging strops that I should shop for, or look out for on the B/S/T?

The reason I'm asking now, is that I'd like to have a decent idea of what to buy so I can watch out on B/S/T and shop around. Don't want to buy some useless stuff, or over pay So if at all possible, rough prices and suggested retailers (I'm in the US) would be most appreciated.

Thanks All!

 

[Aussieshaver]

I would suggest getting a Filly strop from ruprazor - as this is a good beginner strop and will take the abuse you might give it (a common experience is that you will nick your first strop).

A cheaper option than a pasted paddle strop would be to get some lapping films. In realitly however this isnt really needed (IMO) as the back of the Filly has a pasted surface.

 

[mdunn]

just get a regular strop and paste the back of it - no need for a dedicated paddle all of its own.

or build your own paddle strop with balsa wood for a buck or two

 

[RF1963]

After reading a bunch of threads, it seems to me the most cost-effective maintenance would be a 4 sided paddle strop with 3,1,0.5, and 0.25 diamond paste.

You are correct provided your straights have come to you as 'shave ready' from someone who knows what that means (in other words not an antique shop or eBay). The Invisible Edge supplies straights as 'shave ready'

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/index.htm

You can get a 4 sided paddle and appropriate diamond pastes here.

http://www.thiers-issard.co.uk/thiers-issardstrops.html

This system suggests use of 1 micron, 0.25 micron and Chromox for maintenance of regularly used straights.

You will need a separate unpasted strop for daily use, it can be hanging or paddle.

I've just adopted the TI Diamond Paste system to maintain my straights which came to me 'shave ready'. I use a Naniwa 10K stone before I pass my straights over the pasted strops which have been pasted with the 1, 0.25 micron pastes and Chromox.

The TI Diamond Paste System also suggests using 6 and 3 micron pastes to prepare a razor fresh out of the box for shaving (ie shave ready).

Hope this helps.

If you're in the US try Straight Razor Designs for strops, not sure if they sell the TI Paste System though

http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index

 

[Luc]

A plain leather strop will do the trick for a while. I think that a double strop (linen/leather) will help the edge. You could apply a past on the linen also to extend the life of the edge.

I would suggest the following reading: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Strop

 

[taffy]

Balsa strops for your pastes/powder seems a cheap option, and quite a few on here use them, also a while ago I read on here high praise for the strops from e bay, think the superior shave? As for a razor, you will always see a good start off razor on the bst, and at the same time talk to the seller who will give you loads of advice, that also goes for a strop on the bst, if you see one, ask questions about it, I have found the folks on here are a wealth of information!

 

[Oglethorpe]

I would suggest getting a Filly strop from ruprazor - as this is a good beginner strop and will take the abuse you might give it (a common experience is that you will nick your first strop).

A cheaper option than a pasted paddle strop would be to get some lapping films. In realitly however this isnt really needed (IMO) as the back of the Filly has a pasted surface.

+1

I used 2 straights and a Filly for the first 3-4 months I started straight shaving. The filly paid a terrible price, but ask Ken to throw in a pumice stone for sanding out the nicks you put in it and it'll last you a good while. Also, the pasted back helps for when the razor gets a little bit tuggy.

 

[beachape]

Thanks all. I guess I thought I wouldn't mess up the strop if I was careful...but you're all right that it might be best to start on something cheaper.

My next question:

I thought the benefit of the 4 sided paddle strop was that you have multiple surfaces for different grades of paste. I figured the greater your range of pastes, the longer you could get between sending it in for hones. To me this made me think I could save money in the long run. So I guess my question is...how many different paste grades do you need, and what is a good cheap way to get those surfaces? Can you paste two sides of a linen strop, and then the back of the leather and be set?

I realize this is a YMMV situation, but I guess I'm trying to figure out a good affordable way to keep a blade sharp.

 

[RF1963]

http://www.thiers-issard.co.uk/thiers-issardstrops.html

The TI system here suggests use of 1 micron, 0.25 micron and Chromox for maintenance of regularly used straights.

Follow the link to a linked PDF of full instructions

 

[gull]

I would get a strop from whippeddog.com if you don't have a leather belt hanging around.

He sells them for $13 which is great for just starting out. I ended up nicking mine already and I'm glad I didn't ruin a $50+ strop

 

[Wid]

i would get a strop from whippeddog.com if you don't have a leather belt hanging around.

He sells them for $13 which is great for just starting out. I ended up nicking my already and i'm glad i didn't ruin a $50+ strop

+1

 

[OiRogers]

+1

I used 2 straights and a Filly for the first 3-4 months I started straight shaving. The filly paid a terrible price, but ask Ken to throw in a pumice stone for sanding out the nicks you put in it and it'll last you a good while. Also, the pasted back helps for when the razor gets a little bit tuggy.

+2

I used the Filly exclusively for a bit over a month... it earned a few minor nicks, nothing life threatening. It does the job great and is my "travel strop" now. I'll probably grab another one at some point if my first decides it's taken too much.

I upgraded to the SRD Premium IV... great strop as well. No way in Hades I would have used that as my first strop.

I'm somewhat looking for a TM strop now... no way in Hades I'd use one of those as a starter strop either.

 

[beachape]

Hmm that sounds like a good plan. But what surfaces should I use for paste? Is there any place that sells cheap linen strops or balsa strops (I don't own any woodworking tools)

Also another YMMV question...but...which paste progression do you use?

3-1-0.5-0.25 OR 3-1-0.5-CromeOx...or skip the 3 micron?

Sorry if redundant...but I really appreciate your input.

 

[BRuhling]

If you're looking for an all in one solution, Straight Razor Designs has a Modular Paddle Strop. I bought one for use as a travel strop and it works beautifully. It comes with a smooth leather surface for daily stropping, 2 pressed wool felt pads (one can be treated with the .5 micron diamond spray that ships with the strop) and a rough leather pad (which you can put CrOx or CeOx on). The replacement/optional pads are relatively inexpensive and this gives you a great range... Just my humble thoughts...

 

[Wid]

If you buy a poor mans strop kit from Larry@Whippeddog he supplies a balsa pasted strop also, a very good way to start.