STROPPING & PASTES
A straight razor should be stropped before each use, and some people advocate stropping again half-way through a shave. Strops come in various different forms but there are two basic types, hanging strops and paddle strops. Hanging strops are essentially flexible pieces of leather with a handle at one end and a ring at the other which is attached to a hook. Some hanging strops can be used on both sides, others only on one side. The strop pictured below is a hanging strop made from cowhide. The round ring is used to hang the strop on a coat hook or similar, then the strop is pulled taut by grasping the handle at the other end. The razor is stroked from the bottom to the top and back again, spine leading and edge trailing, at right-angles to the length of the strop. At the end of each stroke the blade is not lifted from the strop but rolled around the axis of the spine (back) of the blade before commencing the next stroke.
Invisible Edge Extra Wide Hanging Strop
Paddle strops are more rigid than hanging strops and are simply held by one hand, they do not need to be attached to a hook. Paddle strops come in different forms. For example, some are completely rigid, some have a degree of spring in them and with others the degree of tension in the strop can be adjusted.
A basic paddle strop is typically more expensive than a basic hanging strop but beginners should consider paying a little extra as they may well find it easier to use a paddle strop, especially one of the extra wide paddle strops which can take the whole length of the blade.
Invisible Edge Extra Wide Paddle Strop
You’ve maybe seen old films where barbers strop blades like they were buttering bread. This is fine if you want a blunt edge! The rolling action takes a little getting used to but take it slowly and with a little practice will soon have you stropping like a pro. You don’t need to apply much pressure but ensure that the back and edge of the blade keep in contact with the strop at all times. About 20-30 strokes should be enough, with last few using the lightest contact possible.
While a simple bare leather strop is fine to start with, the exercise can be greatly enhanced by the use of pastes, as demonstrated in this video.
https://youtu.be/fInwFeHNVUs?si=dUXDytSkvr0i7ubg
Strop pastes have been used for many years to enhance the benefits of stropping and are usually made up from iron oxide, chromium oxide or graphite in a ‘carrier’ to emulsify them. Spread on a strop they were an aid to finishing an edge, the coarser pastes being used first, followed by the finer pastes (similar to hones). The problem with using old-type pastes is that the steel being used in straight razor blades has, over the years, become ever-harder.
Traditional pastes are fine for vintage razors but for new steels with their extra-hard composition diamond pastes are ideal, as diamond is of course far harder than the hardest steel ever made. The diamond particles used in our (and other) pastes are by-products of the world diamond industry, the so-called ‘industrial-grade’ diamonds unsuited to gem use. These are ground and crushed to a fine powder and specified particle size – from 1/10 micron (one ten-millionth of a metre) to 100 microns or more. Here it is worth pointing out that cheap diamond pastes are low-priced generally due to the fact that the particle size is not strictly regulated, and indeed for some applications this is not a problem. However, for sharpening the ultra-fine edge of a razor it is essential that when 1-micron paste (for example) is being used there aren’t chunks of 3 or 4 micron in there as well. The pastes we supply are tightly controlled as to particle size and have a higher particle density than most, hence their ‘thickness’. The carrier paste used is both water and oil-soluble, making for easy cleaning and helping to reduce cross-contamination when compared with a pure oil base.
We also recommend the occasional use of a chromium paste prior to finishing as this helps ensure a smooth edge and a fine shave.
For further information on how to use pastes please download our information sheet.
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We have always used the term "straight razor" but in truth most people know this type of razor as a "cut-throat razor" or, less frequently, as an "open razor". It really doesn't matter, all these terms relate to the same implement.
We have a variety of razor starter kits which include everything necessary to start your venture into straight razor shaving. They also make an ideal shaving gift. This section also includes some entry level razors which are good choices for a beginner. Alternatively you can put together your own choices and perhaps upgrade the razor or strop. Please just ask if you need help.
We ship Worldwide, and shipping is free to all countries for orders over £125, but there is a charge for orders of a lower value. Full details may be found in our Delivery and Returns Policy. Prices are determined in GBP. For your convenience you are able to see indicative prices in U.S. Dollars and Euros but payment will be taken in GBP and there will inevitably be some variation to the U.S. Dollar and Euro prices shown. We accept payment by all major credit and debit cards as well as through Paypal.
If you are just starting out with a straight razor then we have a wealth of information on the website for beginners. Please visit our Information section which includes advice about choosing a cut-throat razor, how to strop a razor and much more. We are also always happy to offer advice and assistance where we can. Please just ask.
Our aim is to help our customers keep their razors in use. Now and again every razor will benefit from being honed. As not all our customers wish to learn how to hone we offer a straight razor honing and stropping service where we will sharpen your cut-throat razor on our premises and return it to you. This service is available for all razors we sell, vintage razors and some other brands of new razor but there are brands of new razor that we will not accept. Please see our Sharpening Service section for more details. We also offer a service to fit scales (razor handles) purchased from us.
This term relates to the fact that once unfolded from the scales (i.e. the handle) the razor's edge is open or unprotected, as opposed to a safety razor where the edge is shielded to some extent.
