Paddle strops for travel kit

[Cynomys]

I'm putting together a travel shaving kit. For such a kit based on a straight razor, a paddle strop would seem to be the way to go because of the problem of finding a suitable attachment point for a hanging strop. However, all of the paddle strops which I have seen, even those advertised as travel strops, are too long to fit in any dopp kit or shaving bag. The problem is the handle; the actual stropping area (length) is fine.

So why is there a handle on the travel version of the paddle strop? Or any paddle strop for that matter? Will the strop actually slide around too much even with the light pressure required for stropping?

For the travel version at least, it would seem that the handle should be removable. Or, better, maybe the handle (removable, of course) should be at either side. Perhaps even a couple of aligned 1/4 inch holes for inserting a dowel through the sides just to stabalize the strop in use if that was necessary.

 

[PhatMan]

cynomys,

I use paddle strops exclusively for all my stropping.

I never use the handles; I grip the strop from underneath in the middle with thumb and fingers. I do this to make sure that I do not apply too much pressure when stropping. Held like this, I have had no problems with the strop moving about during the stropping - even with high draw leathers

Give it a whirl and see what you think.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[Cynomys]

I will likely just purchase a "regular sized" paddle strop and (gasp!) cut the handle off. It would then be the right size for a travel kit. I would place it on a piece of rubberized shelf paper (cut to size) to keep it from sliding around.

I just viewed Lynn Abrams' straight razor DVD and he showed an antique paddle strop which had no handles (evidently made that way). It looked just like a honing stone except it was for stropping, of course.