Thread: temporary strop alternatives

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

Hi.

Newspaper and a leather belt might do the trick.

Originally Posted by Leon

Hi.

Newspaper and a leather belt might do the trick.

Yep, they might indeed. However, you're embarking on a long enough learning curve. A strop (and learning how to use it) is obligatory. Your choice though.

Temporary substitutes would suffice, but since you have litte experience stropping maybe waiting until you get a proper strop wouldn't be such a bad idea....It would just be a lot easier to learn on. Waiting can be a can't it??

Dave

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Temporary substitutes would suffice, but since you have litte experience stropping maybe waiting until you get a proper strop wouldn't be such a bad idea....It would just be a lot easier to learn on. Waiting can be a can't it??

Dave

Yes it is, patience is not one of my stronger character traits.

Any suggested reading for learning how to strop properly while I'm waiting?

I would vote the newspaper and leave the belt beating until you get the strop.
But I understand well if you have a hard time. Waiting could be like a pain in the arse.

i would wait until a could get a strop. you might to see if a local barber could strop it for you or loan you a strop until one arrives

Another vote for newspaper. It's part of my regular honing progressions in most cases. You'll find me using newspaper after the Shapton 16k quite often.

Chris L

I have made my own strops for use in a pinch. What I have done is get a strip of blue jeans. I then used construction grade staples and attached it to 4" block of wood. Throw the block of wood into a dresser drawer with the denim hanging out and you have a make do strop.

I am by no means suggesting to do this in lieu of getting a real strop. What I am saying is that it will do in a pinch. I did this for a month having misplaced my strop during a move. My guess is that it works the equivalent to the linen side of the strop.