Thread: First time purchase

I'd get a 3" strop so you can go back and forth rather than have to learn the X pattern.

I think it is important to use X patterns on any strop,but that just me.

Everyone's preference varies. My first strop was a 3" English bridle, and I went to the smaller one you see in that package. I like it much better. For me, the X pattern is not that difficult, and the draw on that leather seemed better. The English bridle was "harder" and I noticed if I laid the razor flat on the strop, I could see a tiny gap in the middle of the blade. So like pixel said, I probably should have been using an X pattern on that one as well.
But I'm probably in the minority. I think you'll find most people like the 3" strops. To be fair, the one in the package is not the highest in construction quality compared to others, but it strops my razors just as well.