Thread: 2" or 3" strop?

Originally Posted by gugi

most of my strops are 2.5", i use x-pattern even on 3"
either would be fine

It really doesnt matter which one you get as long as you learn to use it correctly, it doesnt take much to get the X stroke down pat.

Get a starter strop, does not matter on the size really but smaller is cheaper. The reason is this, you are going to nick and cut your first strop, there is a learner curve. I would hate for you to buy an expensive strop and cut it all up. After 4 to 5 months buy a good one, your skill will have improve a lot by than.

Have fun and good luck

Crom

The vintage strops which come my way tend to be 2" to 2 1/2" wide. You can get a 3" and they are a dramatic statement but unnecessary.

Either would be fine. I tend to use an x stroke too, even on 3" strops.

Aside from price, the other potential disadvantage of 3" strops is that there is a greater tendency to cup. It the leather is good and thick, this is less so than the thinner linen side.

For years, I would not use anything but a vintage 2 1/2 inch strop. I had seen the two inch and the three inch out there, but never thought of trying either.

Well, once I tried the 3 inch strop, I found it to be the most user friendly strop out there and have used nothing else since. I can still do an X stroke if I want to, but don't worry about it as much. I have had many new guys tell me that they tend to nick the 3 inch strop much less than the 2 and 2 1/2 inch strops.

Lynn

Agreed! I am a traditionalist and favor a 2 1/2" simply because I like the proportions. A 3" though still outsells my 2" and 2 1/2" models and allows one to go staright up and down if they want OR do an X-pattern.

I have always speculated that many beginners do most of their nicking when trying to shift the blade sideways at each end os an X. An up/flip/back is one less movement to think about than up/half flip/shift to the side/finish flip/back.

Tony

My advice… Whichever strop you get, learn to strop with the X stroke.
Every strop no matter how good or how much the cost, all have a tendency to cup or dish, it’s just the nature of the material.
The X stroke will ensure the entire edge contacts the surface of the strop.

I personally own the Extra-Fine-Quality Tony Miller 3" Red Latigo Leather and genuine Linen strop. Mine's extra special 'cause Tony Miller made it, himself.

Seriously, though, as a newb, I'd spring for the 2" simply because developing the X pattern on the strop will build the muscle memory and transfer easily onto the honing process for touch-ups. Once you've become adept at the X, you can develop your lazy skills and move up to the 3". Also, I love the smell of my strop.

I've heard that because the 3" covers more area than smaller ones, it requires less stropping. Really, though, it'll only shave like...2 passes off your routine.

-Derek

Size doesn't matter but leather quality does. Whatever size you choose I would recommend a sacrificial strop to practice on... unless your ok with nicking your new expensive one.
I think Tony Miller offers a beginners strop along with his high end ones.
A great concept IMHO.

It's your choice really. They both get the job done. In my opinion, a 2" strop would force you to learn the downward angle as you pull the blade across the length, where as a 3" strop allows you to make complete blade contact while pulling the edge straight down the length. I for one, don't think it is completely necessary to angle as you go. Some maintain that it is good practice, but to each their own. Good luck!