Thread: strop substitute equivalents??/ first partial shave down!

I started stropping on newspaper, then used levi's, then got a strop, now am getting nicer stuff.

From my experience, the newspaper is more of a touch up than a strop- in between. What I will say is it couldn't fully maintain a good edge. The levi's are better as a strop but same. I do however believe that the arm is fine. There have been a few weeks when I've travelled and couldn't take my strop (can't roll or fold it, and it won't fit nicely otherwise) and I stropped on my arm and it works. If I encounter a blade in my rotation that needs a touch up (usually I find this out mid shave) the forearm can limp me through the shave.

Why not always strop on your arm? Cus its a royal pain and there is a reason we have strops. Its the right tool for the job so you definitely need some sort of strip of leather. I have and use an Illinois Horsehide and it was crap at first (then I realised I needed to break it in) but once she broke in it was alright, and lately (through use) it broke in a lot more and I really like it. Just the previous owner doesn't seem to have liked it as much and I gave it a nick, so time to move on. I will probably keep it cus it strops well.

I have felt both Kenrup's leathers, latigo and horse, but only in what could be considered bench hone size, and from what I can tell is its good stuff. That said, the Filly is the cheapest strop around.

So there are (as I see it, there will be other opinions) two very good, cheap starting points. Illinois' (I think Glen speaks highly of the 827, and I can say I have had good results with my 127) and Kenrup's Filly.