Strop

Strop kits: How to get started with stropping

If you want to begin stropping your own straight razor, we recommend investing in a strop kit with stropping paste. A good and affordable option is Mühle’s cowhide strop with matching canvas backing.

Complement it with a nourishing leather balm from Dovo Solingen. You should also buy a set of stropping pastes to extend the lifespan of the leather strap. Use paste without abrasives for regular maintenance and paste with abrasive particles when your straight razor feels duller than usual.

Immediately after shaving, the edge of your straight razor is more sensitive and porous. Keep this in mind when stropping the blade clean and dry after shaving so that you do not damage the edge.

Guide: Hanging and paddle strops

There are two main types of strops: hanging strops and paddle strops. The most common model is the hanging strop, which is attached to a hook or ring at one end and kept taut with the handle at the other while you guide the straight razor along the surface.

Paddle strops are instead mounted on a fixed handle and do not require hanging. This makes them easy to use where you lack a hook or prefer a more portable solution.

Most strops have two sides. The coarser canvas or linen side is used first to clean the edge, followed by the finer leather side that polishes and realigns it. Work with a light touch and be especially careful during the turning motion until your technique feels natural.