Thread: First Strop

ok, I know Im buying a Tony Miller strop. My question is do I go for the Red Latigo with Linen or cotton ? Or the Horse Hide with Linen or cotton? I will be buying the practice strop as well.

Email Tony. He's really good about answering questions...

Horsehide has less draw. You won't be sorry with construction no matter what. I prefer a little more draw and would probably like the latigo better, but that is personal choice. I can't say about the cloth as I only have the linen and it seems to do well. I own the buffed horsehide/linen 3" and use it mostly for the full hollow blades I have.

-Rob

there is a thread here somewhere that Tony discusses the differences, as stated red latigo has more draw then horsehide even though horsehide is more expensive, I got red latigo and find it a great all around strop, I have what I believe is a old and cheaper horsehide strop and the draw on it is very light I sometimes use it for a finishing strop after the red latigo or else sometime I use it on razors I know have just been honed and don't need much stropping but usually only the first time, my main strop the red latigo has a linen backing I don't there is a whole lot of difference between linen and cotton as far as performance at all.

I have the 2-1/2" Artisan red latigo with linen . It's all the strop I need , and works fine on all my razors .

Im leaning toward the 3' Latigo with just the cotton back from Tony Miller.

He actually answered a few questions for me in private, What a guy to actually steer me away from his most expensive strop and actually put me on to something that will work just as well for a lot less . As a newb you almost could believe anything you read or hear and I would have easily spent $130 on a strop if he said I needed one.

So what did you decide on. I am looking to buy to although not for a couple months and may spring for the 2" latigo/cotton or the latigo/linen but not sure yet.

Good Choice ! I got the same one off Tony a few months ago. I love it. It compliments my baby soft leather solingen strop. It's also nice and wide, which is different if your use to the x pattern like I am. I think you'll like the red latigo, It gives nice feedback. I spoke to Tony as well. He's a nice a guy and he helped me decide what was good for me. Rich
P.S. I think the thread is called "Strop Differences" Tony explains in detail.....Do a search....

You will be happy with any of Tony Miller's strops. The choices you are considering are personal preference and will not make much of a difference in the final edge. Get the one you like best. You can always buy the other optional parts individually in the future if you wish to change.

Eric, I decided to go with this one, but I still havent decided on the cotton or linen back. I will talk to Mr Miller on the phone this week and decide from there.
The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company : 3" Heirloom "New Standard" Artisan Strops

Originally Posted by erictski

So what did you decide on. I am looking to buy to although not for a couple months and may spring for the 2" latigo/cotton or the latigo/linen but not sure yet.