G.B.S. Strop

Gents,
This year the tax man gaveith instead of takeithing away. So I am planing on getting myself my first straight razor! :y Woohoo!! The problem is - I have to split my funds between a straight and a strop. I know Illinois strops are suggested for newbs several places in the forum. But the only ones I find are 2.5 inch. I would really like a 3 inch if I can manage it. If I can mess up the stropping, I probably will. So I'd like to simplify it and just go straight up and down the strop instead of diagonally. The only 3 inchers I have found in my price range are G.B.S. Every one says to get a cheep strop for your first one, but these are REALLY cheap. I worry they may be TOO cheep and be more harmful than helpful to the cause. I haven't found anything about them when searching SRP. Does anyone know if these are good for a newb? Or are they just an SRO (strop shaped object)? If I can't do it right, I'd rather just wait a while until I can. Thanks!

It might be worth thinking about getting a shave ready vintage razor from the Buy/Sell/Trade in this forum. You can get a properly honed and shave ready razor for a very good price.

If you get yourself a new razor, it will almost certainly not be shave ready unless whoever sells it to you hones it before sending it out.

As far as a strop goes, rather than a strop thats very cheap, consider a board strop to start, they're much easier to learn on.

Thanks Steve! I absolutely am keeping an eye on B/S/T. I just have to wait for the right one at the right price to show up. And I guess I haven't really looked at board strops. I will look into them..

Have you check into Heirloom Razor Strop Co.
Im not sure but he used to have bevginners strops in 3 inch. But Id recommend a 2.5" strop. This teaches you the correct way to strop from the first pass. The x pattern on the strop is more than just to cover the entire edge.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Have you check into Heirloom Razor Strop Co.
Im not sure but he used to have bevginners strops in 3 inch. But Id recommend a 2.5" strop. This teaches you the correct way to strop from the first pass. The x pattern on the strop is more than just to cover the entire edge.

Good luck.

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Wait...Woah...What! I guess it's been too long since I watched a stropping video. I don't remember the x being necessary for a wide enough strop. That changes everything because I absolutely want to learn it correctly from the start (it's easier to learn right the first time than to unlearn and relearn). So I guess I need to go re-watch some videos and reevaluate what I need in a strop. Thanks for pointing that out to me!!!

In theory a wide strop doesn't need an x motion however it's better with an x motion and once you learn to properly use a strop no matter the size it all becomes second nature.

It's kind of like learning to drive on a stick. it makes you a better driver.

If you ever buy a razor with a warped spine you'll be glad you know how to do an x stroke, both on stones or strops.

I have a 3" strop, the first hanging strop I bought. I also have a 2 1/2" strop.

I like the 2 1/2 better. I always do x strokes anyway regardles of the size, so I never have to change my stropping technique whether my razor is straight or smiles.

Ditto. If you get used to doing an x stroke on the strop it helps you keep from cutting up the strop too.

I recommend an Illinois strop Co No 127 for a starter. It is inexpensive but not cheaply made. The one thing is the linen is quite stiff and very aggressive.

VERY AGGRESSIVE! :)

What even is that linen? I don't know that it is actually flax linen. I got my son one of those. I took the linen and washed it because it seemed like it had a coating on it or something but it never really got stiff like you'd expect from flax when wet and it didn't soften much.

The leather is good though.

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Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

What even is that linen? I don't know that it is actually flax linen. I got my son one of those. I took the linen and washed it because it seemed like it had a coating on it or something but it never really got stiff like you'd expect from flax when wet and it didn't soften much.

The leather is good though.

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My English Bridal strop came with a course fabric, it made a zip zip noise and I didn't like it.

I changed it for a nice soft cotton and I love it now.