Thread: looking for information/opinions on strops

So I know that this is most probably a YMMV situation But I am looking for how your mileage was.
firstly, my stropping skills are progressing nicely, only one tiny tiny little nick on the edge near my hand, and my edge is still ngie and smooth shaving. But While I am getting even more confident with my little 2" starter strop. I want to start looking into a nicer strop. I will probably go with a 3", but what the heck is the difference in all the different leathers? Latigo, Bridle, Natural, Kangaroo. What is the functional difference between them all and What do you prefer?
Also, having only ever used one strop I have no reference for the difference in the draw I keep reading about. what is draw,and what is the difference between the light, Medium, and heavy draw? Here comes the tricky part... is one leather better than another or is it just a preference thing? if so can I get some pros and cons?
Thanks in advance guys!

I don't like a lot of draw and horse or shell work best for me. The only kangaroo strop I ever tried also had light draw, but I don't know if that is characteristic of all 'roo.' Latigo has medium to heavy draw depending on the strop. I've never tried bridle leather, but I think that is in the same ballpark. If you know you like light or medium draw go with one of the above, and remember, you can always increase draw by applying neatsfoot oil. A little goes a long way. One more thing, I like the traditional pro barber width strop from back in 'the day.' A 2&1/2 is my choice. YMMV

I have two cordovan shell strops with linen seconds I like best. Light draw and I prefer the real linen though have no reason other than cotton is noisy and wool albeit nice and little flexibility.

My next favorite is an English bridle from SRD with the premium second. Light draw super fast

Gone are a tony Miller, two SRD Latigos because I didn't like the draw.

On the way is a scruple works barber end horse 2.5 inch because I like 2.5 inch and want to try barbers ends. Other than that I like D rings or padded handles like Niel Miller used.

so yes it is a preference

First I don't believe there is any evidence that a certain leather will give better results, that being said most vintage strops seem to be shell.
As said draw is personal preference, I love shell as it has a very light draw.
If you think of a light draw as being like glass and a heavy draw as magnetic it gives you a reference point. Really the only way to know what you do and dont like is to try a few out.
I personally don't see the point in a 3" strop as I always use an x stroke.

Draw is the resistance of the leather imparted on the blade. The more draw, the more resistance. Some people do a progressive stropping, going from higher to lower draw. I am too lazy to do that. Whichever you purchase, you will learn to use. Unless you have arthritis or other malady, where light draw is easier to use. I just picked the look I preferred.

Well I have a couple of strops. The draw varies a little. I have a reset purchase that came from Drygulch (Adam). It is horse, but different from my other horse strops. He did explain to me as to why it is different, and if I truly had a good grasp I would pass that along. I think it has the perfect light draw, and strops exactly the same in both directions. Some strops have a different feel in the two directions, this one does not. I have another strop that also has that feel to it, but the other strop was very expensive. The new strop was very reasonable. I would say I would but another should this one get passed to another. You can find him here or on Etsy or I'm sure so me of the other forums.

In theory I can understand matching the strop draw to a certain type of steel and/or blade grind, but in practice I can't tell a difference in the shave between a light draw and a heavy draw. I have noticed that with the light draw I have to strop more than I do on a heavy draw and that my arm gets tired quicker on a heavy draw than on a light draw (which kind of makes sense). So I usually just go with a medium draw strop like latigo.

I started with bridle that had a medium to light draw. Then I went to Latigo with a heavy draw. The heavy draw for me had a tendency to snatch the blade on the flip and I didn't like it. I went to all different kinds of cow hide leathers after that and had some really nice strops. I then got a Koken shell from a local auction with an extremely light draw (if any). Like stropping on wet ice. I LOVED IT!! I swear the edge is better too but that's subjective, arguable, and I'm a bit on the crazy side. Either way I have been selling all my other strops in favor of shell. That's where it's at for me.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

In theory I can understand matching the strop draw to a certain type of steel and/or blade grind, but in practice I can't tell a difference in the shave between a light draw and a heavy draw. I have noticed that with the light draw I have to strop more than I do on a heavy draw and that my arm gets tired quicker on a heavy draw than on a light draw (which kind of makes sense). So I usually just go with a medium draw strop like latigo.

Cris, You bring up a good point about draw (resistance). It does play a part on how the steel reacts and the effect the leather has on the edge. I purchased some high end Horween lately with a very smooth finish and noticed my razor required more laps than it does on the cowhide and horse I usually use.

IMO 3" strops are lame and cause you to strop improper if using a traditional barber strop(which are a perfect 2.5"). The stroke you are learning on your starter carries over to a professional barber strop whereas you will learn from scratch on a 3" with straight strokes.

I prefer vintage shell strops in barber style, 2.5" wide with no handles or D ring. Call me old school but it works perfect for me, so why change it.