A few of us have kicked around this discussion on another forum and via e-mail and PM.
What works, what do you prefer and why.
For paddles we have talked about rigid and flex, wide and narrow, rough and smooth. On hanging strops is comes down mostly to wide/narrow, heavy draw/light draw. Is there a right and wrong or is it personal preference based on experience or technique?
I'm a narrow strop and stone fan myself if asked. Most of my hones, and I have many, are narrow 2" to 2 1/2". Using the X pattern just seems natural to me but mostly I prefer to hold them in my hand so like the lighter weight of a narrower stone. My favorites are all 2" x 8". Most older hones and stones found on ebay are even narrower, 1 3/8" to 2" at best.....barber hones, Eschers, Coticules, etc....
On strops I'm more on the fence. I like the proportion of a 2 1/2" strop and I like using an X pattern. I theory anyway a 2 1/2" is likely to remain flatter than a 3", most European strops are 2" at best, many are 1 3/4" (Dovo, Jemico, etc...) Most USA made/sold strops from the golden age were 2 1/2".
In my bathroom though hang 4 strops, a 3" horsehide, a 3" latigo, a 2 1/2" dual surfaced pasted horsehide hanging strop and a 2 1/2" rough latigo. I almost always use the 3" horsehide as I like a light draw with the hollow grind razors I use most often. On my few wedges though I grab the latigo. I feel I have more control or feedback when stropping heavy razors if I have a heavier draw. on light, delicate razors I like a smooth, slick strop. I notice no difference in the effectiveness of either. Linen....I rarely use it, when I do it is because I am "supposed to" use it <g>. I will more often though use a rough or heavier draw leather first.........which many will argue is doing exactly what the linen would do. They would probably be right on the money <g>. I also use a pasted hanging strop quite often. Mine are very smooth and pasted with 0.5 and 0.25 micron diamond sprays. They give me a quick refresh mush as that red rouge covered strop my barber used before every customer. Would I suggest a beginner do the same, no way. As effective as I see it in refreshing and edge it is equally as effective in removing an edge in the wrong hands.
It's interesting ready threads on stropping and honing. New guys come to us asking what is best. The more I do this the more I am convinced there is no "best" but there is more "this works for me". One guy will post what he does and three more will reply with "to much" or "not enough".
I am asked daily what I suggest for a beginner and I tell them what I used "when I was a beginner" and that may not be what I use now though. I'd start with a basic strop till I knew I liked straight razor shaving, even more I start with a pasted paddle or flatbed system and have a daily use tool and an edge renewing tool all in one to start with as it's easy on the budget. I leave the hone till way later if at all. If straight razor shaving was simply an enjoyable way to shave for me and not my main hobby I'd never buy a hone and send my razors to someone who does do it every day for honing (which is exactly what I do now). As much as I like narrowe strops I guess more guys slice their strops learning to do an X than those going straight up and down. I bet more hanging strops get sliced than paddles.
So.....what "works" for you and more importantly why....what is your reasoning or thought as to why this item or system fits your needs. Also it would be interesting to hear did you stick with what you started with or change over the years? This is not meant to be a brand discussion, simply a wide/narrow, rough/smooth, paddle/hanging type discussion.
Thanks,
Tony
What works, what do you prefer and why.
For paddles we have talked about rigid and flex, wide and narrow, rough and smooth. On hanging strops is comes down mostly to wide/narrow, heavy draw/light draw. Is there a right and wrong or is it personal preference based on experience or technique?
I'm a narrow strop and stone fan myself if asked. Most of my hones, and I have many, are narrow 2" to 2 1/2". Using the X pattern just seems natural to me but mostly I prefer to hold them in my hand so like the lighter weight of a narrower stone. My favorites are all 2" x 8". Most older hones and stones found on ebay are even narrower, 1 3/8" to 2" at best.....barber hones, Eschers, Coticules, etc....
On strops I'm more on the fence. I like the proportion of a 2 1/2" strop and I like using an X pattern. I theory anyway a 2 1/2" is likely to remain flatter than a 3", most European strops are 2" at best, many are 1 3/4" (Dovo, Jemico, etc...) Most USA made/sold strops from the golden age were 2 1/2".
In my bathroom though hang 4 strops, a 3" horsehide, a 3" latigo, a 2 1/2" dual surfaced pasted horsehide hanging strop and a 2 1/2" rough latigo. I almost always use the 3" horsehide as I like a light draw with the hollow grind razors I use most often. On my few wedges though I grab the latigo. I feel I have more control or feedback when stropping heavy razors if I have a heavier draw. on light, delicate razors I like a smooth, slick strop. I notice no difference in the effectiveness of either. Linen....I rarely use it, when I do it is because I am "supposed to" use it <g>. I will more often though use a rough or heavier draw leather first.........which many will argue is doing exactly what the linen would do. They would probably be right on the money <g>. I also use a pasted hanging strop quite often. Mine are very smooth and pasted with 0.5 and 0.25 micron diamond sprays. They give me a quick refresh mush as that red rouge covered strop my barber used before every customer. Would I suggest a beginner do the same, no way. As effective as I see it in refreshing and edge it is equally as effective in removing an edge in the wrong hands.
It's interesting ready threads on stropping and honing. New guys come to us asking what is best. The more I do this the more I am convinced there is no "best" but there is more "this works for me". One guy will post what he does and three more will reply with "to much" or "not enough".
I am asked daily what I suggest for a beginner and I tell them what I used "when I was a beginner" and that may not be what I use now though. I'd start with a basic strop till I knew I liked straight razor shaving, even more I start with a pasted paddle or flatbed system and have a daily use tool and an edge renewing tool all in one to start with as it's easy on the budget. I leave the hone till way later if at all. If straight razor shaving was simply an enjoyable way to shave for me and not my main hobby I'd never buy a hone and send my razors to someone who does do it every day for honing (which is exactly what I do now). As much as I like narrowe strops I guess more guys slice their strops learning to do an X than those going straight up and down. I bet more hanging strops get sliced than paddles.
So.....what "works" for you and more importantly why....what is your reasoning or thought as to why this item or system fits your needs. Also it would be interesting to hear did you stick with what you started with or change over the years? This is not meant to be a brand discussion, simply a wide/narrow, rough/smooth, paddle/hanging type discussion.
Thanks,
Tony