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This is really my second time trying to get into Straight Razors. My first purchase was from eBay and it was a piece of crap razor. I also purchased a strop with leather and canvas on it. My question is, does my strop really make a huge difference? Ive read people saying u can strop on newspaper or an old belt if need be, so is my strop more than likely going to suit my daily use?
As long as it's not a ZEEpk strop it should be ok. It does make a difference as the razor should be stropped before each shave.
By the way I like your signature.
Adding to his question... what can I use until i get a strop? Or will i have to wait and not SR shave until i get a legit strop.
Hi mcj,
Yes, proper daily use of a decent strop at the very least just before you shave is critically important to maintaining a sharp edge between necessary re-honing of the razor.
What you are reading in the threads about stropping on newspaper is not related to daily stropping just before a shave to maintain a sharp edge. Stropping on newspaper is done as part of a progression of steps to return a dull razor to shave ready sharpness. Just as an example: sharpen edge on a 4K stone, polish edge on an 8K stone, further polishing on a 12K stone, finish polishing on balsa strops treated with diamond spray or/and chromium oxide, then 100 stropping strokes on newspaper followed by 60 - 70 strokes on a fine leather strop, then test shave to verify shave ready sharpness.
Daily stropping just before you shave needs to be done with a leather strop. I don't recommend you use a belt you've worn. The strop needs to be perfectly smooth, free of perspiration and dirt (that you'd find on a belt), and flat.
Some folks just strop on a leather strop. Others buy a combination strop: leather on one side and a fabric such as canvas or linen on the other. That may be just a matter of personal preference, but I seem to get a better shave when I strop 25 strokes on canvas followed by 60 strokes on leather just before I shave.
Have you read all the information in the Wiki about stropping? you'll find it here.
Namaste,
Morty -_-
You'll notice the difference in the quality of the strop you have. I started with a Dorko strop, which is perfectly servicable and worked very well. But now I have an SRD 3" black latigo and I can really tell the difference. It just seems to have better draw and put a finer edge on the razor. I also notice that I go longer between honings now with that strop than I did with the Dorko.
I would only recommend spending the money on something you actually need, and with strops its all about the quality of the leather. Cheap strops tend to have poor leather and will not perform as well as better quality items.
As an interim, you can use denim or an old belt as long as the belt is smooth with no cracks or obvious defects. But you would be better off getting a good quality strop from a reputable vendor. Another option is the Filly from RupRazor which is $20 and is a good cheap strop.
Good luck!