Thread: Strop Advice

I have been using a straight razor for about a month now and absolutely love it. I am using a red Russian strop and have nicked the strop more than my face. I am finding it much harder to learn proper stropping than proper shaving.

First, when do you replace a strop. There are several deep nicks up and down the strop can I still use it or does it need to be replaced.

If I need to replace anyone have suggestions? I dug through the reviews but would really love some suggestions on a good strop.

Thanks!!

Bit of a shame about your strop. I would replace mine when I could not remove the nicks anymore. There are some tips in the Wiki: Strop treatment and repair - Straight Razor Place Wiki. But if the nicks are too deep, the strop will be uneven, and then you should replace it.

I think the reviews pretty much speak for themselves. I can highly recommend SRD's strops. Well thought through, parts can be replaced, and the price is more than reasonable for the craftsmanship you get.

It is a little bit of a shame. I took the advice from the more experience and bought a cheaper one assuming I would nick the crap out of it....and I did! I am still trying to get better, I can get it pretty sharp but need more practice to get it where it needs to be

If you can feel the nicks through the razor as you strop I wouldn't be using it. You can try a fine pumice stone or some very fine sandpaper but if the nicks are too deep it might be toast. Don't spend a lot of money on a new strop until you have it down pat.

Originally Posted by rockysopus

I have been using a straight razor for about a month now and absolutely love it. I am using a red Russian strop and have nicked the strop more than my face. I am finding it much harder to learn proper stropping than proper shaving.

First, when do you replace a strop. There are several deep nicks up and down the strop can I still use it or does it need to be replaced.

If I need to replace anyone have suggestions? I dug through the reviews but would really love some suggestions on a good strop.

Thanks!!

This one is still useable after some smoothing. open tread below
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...can-fixed.html

rocky,

My advice, FWIW, would be to not cut off any flaps that you may have raised in nicking the strop. Rather, get some Barge, Cats Paw, or similar contact cement designed for adhering leather to leather and glue the flaps back down. Once you have applied the glue to each surface and allowed it to dry and get tacky, squeeze the parts together, put the strop on something hard, flat, and solid, and hammer down the flaps to assure complete contact with the mother leather. Hammer lightly so you don't dent the strop. Now you're ready to use the pumice block to smooth things out. Sandpaper on a block, gotta keep things flat, works too, but there is always the chance that the sandpaper will shed grit which may, may get stuck to the strop. However, a brisk brushing with your palm will probably get rid of any errant abrasives.

good luck, good stropping,

I'm a stupid nubie and already cut off the flaps. Thankfully the big flaps are at end of the strop and not in the middle.

rockysopus,

I too nicked my strop horribly when I started out. And my face looked like I had been in Fight Club

I found the best way to proceed was to get an old razor, and practice the stropping on the back of the strop. If you can polish the edge off the old razor before you start it will minimise the amount of strop cutting

There is no substitute for practice; so saying I still have relapses when I cannot get the best from a hanging strop - I go to a paddle strop when this happens.
Best of luck for the future.

regards

Russ

I think a picture would allow us to help out better. As always, it depends how much is nicked, how deep,...etc.

Starting out, it surprises newbies that just before they flip the blade, they move back the blade just a tiny bit and that bites into the strop, thus causing the nick. Practice and awareness should overcome this. If the strop is beaten too much, then time for a new one.

Good Luck!

Pabster

This, and the fact that I'm broke, is why I have not yet purchased a good leather strop. I just have an old pair of denim shorts that I have cut up and am using. As soon as I get a couple of bucks, I'm going to go to the local thrift shop and by an old leather belt to use as well. Then, when I am all good and practiced, along with when I have some money, I will buy me a nice red latigo strop. (I'm really awaiting that day!!!)