temporary alternatives

[superbleu]

I got my first straight last week.
I don't have a strop yet, but one is on the way.
In the mean time what should I use in the mean time till my strop arrives?
I have ready anything from legal pads to newspaper to leather belts can be used.

What is the best of these, and how many round trip passes do I need to make with each?

Thanks in advance

[Sticky]

Lacking a strop, I have a distinct preference for newspaper, 1 to 3 sheets laying on anything flat. 80 to 120 laps usually do it. I've also folded it about 1.5" wide and stretched it like a hanging strop. Heavily inked areas (like the want-ads) seem to work better. The ink is said to be around 0.1 micron and abrasive.

[northpaw]

+1

I used newspaper to keep the edge on mine for weeks. About 100 passes, or until it popped hairs smoothly all along the edge.