Thread: Cotton vs Linen on Strop...

That's the topic. Pros and Cons of each... talk amongst yourselves.

Thanks,

Josh

From Mr. Tony Miller, himself:

"The actual function of the cloth component, typically called "linen" is the subject of much debate but most feel it is an important step in stropping. Linen has become a generic term now days and can mean any cloth material. There is no "mystery" cloth used on my strops, I call it what it is, Cotton or Genuine Linen, no surprises, no secrets. Smooth cotton is my daily choice as it has a firm, stiff temper but a fine weave making for a smooth surface for daily stropping or the application of fine abrasives. Genuine Linen, being a less processed fiber and the traditional choce for years, is thought to be more abrasive than cotton and may be the choice for those wanting the ultimate material but I feel it would be a waste to then apply pastes over this material. The linen is more difficult to source and has a high waste factor resulting in a higher price for this material."

The linen. It's more expensive so it must be better. Actually I've never had a cotton hanger but the fact that for decades professional barbers demanded linen would indicate to me that it is a good material for a strop.

actually to throw a wrench in the works there is actually a silk/cotton strap too.

I found some and it is not to expensive. Irish Linen is expensive, American linen is not about $10 a yard I think. That is 8.0 oz per yard linen. I have bottom weight canvas again same weight per yard.

Good stuff. I am going to order some linen this summer to see how it works.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The linen. It's more expensive so it must be better. Actually I've never had a cotton hanger but the fact that for decades professional barbers demanded linen would indicate to me that it is a good material for a strop.

From the first response though it sounds like Tony actually recommends the cotton over the linen though does he not? Iy sounds like the linen is merely more money because it is more labor intensive to work with and it has a higher waste factor... none of which technically make it better.

Or did I miss something?

Josh

Originally Posted by TJoshX

From the first response though it sounds like Tony actually recommends the cotton over the linen though does he not? Iy sounds like the linen is merely more money because it is more labor intensive to work with and it has a higher waste factor... none of which technically make it better.

Or did I miss something?

Josh

When I said it must be better because it is more expensive I was trying to be funny. The part about the barbers using it was serious. If Tony says he likes cotton better than it must be some good stuff. I like linen just fine and would try cotton if it came my way but I have no inclination to go looking for it. The linen is working for me so I ain't gonna fix it.

That makes sense then, sorry it's late here and I am just gettin ghome from an 18 hour day haha. I missed your joke the first time around.

Josh

Just to clarify my statement, more expensive does NOT mean better. Linen may be better, it may not be better. Some guys are sure it performs better, others see no difference. I'm simply saying don't assume the higher price means better.

The higher price reflects the initial material costs, this past years 35% increase in that price (which I did not pass on) and a 60% to 70% yield from the roll, vs 90%+ for cotton, if all goes well.

I was saying if in doubt the cotton is nearly as good, if not as good for most people. Others feel the additional cost is worth whatever advanatges, perceived or true are inhernet in the linen material.

Thanks,
Tony

So, Tony does your statement also go to Irish Linen that is made of pure flax as opposed to the cotton linen?

Originally Posted by singlewedge

So, Tony does your statement also go to Irish Linen that is made of pure flax as opposed to the cotton linen?

Singlewedge,

Cotton is cotton, linen is linen. I am refering to my two cloths, real cotton and real linen. If it is cotton it is not linen. This what I tried to explain in the statements a previous poster quoted from my website.

Today everyone calls the cloth linen. It could be cotton, hemp, linen, nylon, polyester, etc.....


Tony