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I use a leather belt, the back very smooth on mine. Have no problem at all with it - in fact I have it hung up in my bathroom now and don't use it as a belt.
Now and again I dab a bit of toothpaste on it (fine abrasive) and after a bit of talc (even finer).
I will be getting a propper stop at somepoint (when I'm not so skint) but the belt is fine for now - though not ideal.
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I have read on here about people using a newspaper for a strop. I guess the ink in the paper has an abrasive. I believe that someone here used one for several months.
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Best grooming tools also has this:
Horsehide Leather Strop
I got my first from classic for about $35 for an ILLINOIS and within a day of them shipping the order I saw a thread about the $20 ruprazor "beginners" strop. I haven't toasted the ILLINOIS but I really wish I had seen the RUP post sooner :(