Thread: Use a belt as a strop?

Hi guys!

I'm all new to this. Found my grandpa's old straight razor a while back and am now thinking of accutually using it It's an old swedish razor, J.A. Hellberg, and still sharp after 20 years in the box! Amazing...

But it did not pass the hair cutting test, so I figure I have some stroping to do. My first thought was to buy a new strop, or get a shoemaker to make one for me. But then I read somewhere that an old belt would do the trick...

So (and here comes my questions)...
What kind of belt do I need? I guess I need a wide and long enough that isn't damaged in any way. Anything else?
Do I need to do something to the belt before I use it as a strop? Clean it, obviously, but other than that?

Thanks!

/Frosin

I would recommend against using a belt. There are just too many variables like the quality of leather, condition, etc.

There are a few reputable dealers in the Vendors forum who make very nice high-quality strops. They are relatively inexpensive. You may also want to consider a pasted strop, since your grandfather's "sharp" razor may not be shaving sharp anymore.

A wide smooth leather belt might work. But how valuable to you is your grandpa's old razor? You might be better off, and happier, just making the additional investment in a new, good quality strop.


Scott

Originally Posted by jimmyray

I would recommend against using a belt. There are just too many variables like the quality of leather, condition, etc.

There are a few reputable dealers in the Vendors forum who make very nice high-quality strops. They are relatively inexpensive. You may also want to consider a pasted strop, since your grandfather's "sharp" razor may not be shaving sharp anymore.

Well, the thing is that even if it is inexpensive it will be some money I don't really have alot of right now...
I know the razor isn't shaving sharp, that's why I think I need a strop. Maybe I'll need a hone as well, but I think it will do with a strop for now.

Originally Posted by honedright

A wide smooth leather belt might work. But how valuable to you is your grandpa's old razor? You might be better off, and happier, just making the additional investment in a new, good quality strop.

Scott

The razor itself has no real value to me and I don't think it is that good a razor either. Sure, it's nice to be able to use my grandpa's razor, but I don't know...

The biggest reason for asking about a belt strop is to save money, the other is to not spend alot of money on a strop and hone and then realize that it doesn't do it for me, I was better of with my Merkur saftey razor. If I get a belt and use that as a strop to begin with and after that want to go on using a straight razor, I'll probably get a good quality strop and hone.

Does it sound stupid to you, guys?

Stupid??

Some people think I'm nuts just for using a straight razor.

If you find that a leather belt works, great!

I've heard of belts, denim pants, rubber tires, and the palm of the hand being used to strop a razor.

Scott

Ok, thanks

Do you think I need to prepare the belt before use, and if so, how? Or is it enough with a good rub with water?

Swedish razors in general are pretty good, it might not be terribly valuable in pure money, but it is desirable for straight razor users.

When I think of using a belt, the first thing that comes to mind is a nice, new plain-tanned-leather belt, which I think would probably be fine. But then I think of all the old leather belts that I have hanging in the closet, after being worn how many years around my considerable girth, they tend to get, well.....rounded. I mean, when they hang, they don't really hang straight, and when I pull them tight, the outside if the belt has been stretched more than the inside, and, when pulled tight, the finished surface tends to wrinkle, to say nothing about how the leather has worn under the belt loops, and, well, just suffice it to say, I wouldn't recomend using one of MY belts...

...but, YMMV.

Oh, yeah.....and be sure and take the belt off, first.

(I hope I didn't have to say that!)

-whatever

-Lou

A good quality belt works fine, I have one I made into a strop. I will admit though it was a new belt so had no wear on it at all. I preped it by scraping it with the blade edge of a pair of scissors to take the shine off and get a matt finish. A few strokes with the razor told me the draw was low so I dressed it with a light coat of neatsfoot oil and let it rest till dry. Works as good as any strop I own.
I also have a weight lifters belt converted to a strop that strops a treat. I used this belt to get a wide strop. It is chrome hide so have a lot of draw.

PuFf

Another thing to consider:

If you have never shaved with a straight razor, and you already can tell this one isn't sharp enough to shave with, most of us who are used to the sharpness of a straight would probably consider it downright dull. I would think that a good honing would be in order before the strop question needs answering. I would also suggest sending it out to one of our honemeisters here who will for sure give you a good job. Getting my first well honed straight redefined "sharp" for me and honing my first razor taught me how tricky it can be to get it right.