Thread: I'am strop shopping , and i need some help.... please

Newspaper!!! Great suggestion. Good way to practice w/o ruining a blade or cutting leather.

Originally Posted by BanjoTom

Newspaper!!! Great suggestion. Good way to practice w/o ruining a blade or cutting leather.

Newpaper works but isn't nearly as effective as a real strop, be warned. Also depending on the ink content of the page you're stropping on, some pages may be more effective than others. The more black ink the better, such as a photo.

Originally Posted by Disburden

Newpaper works but isn't nearly as effective as a real strop, be warned. Also depending on the ink content of the page you're stropping on, some pages may be more effective than others. The more black ink the better, such as a photo.

Valid point but the newspaper suggestion is strictly a practice idea to develop muscle memory & dexterity to possibly prevent or reduce damaging a strop. It is not intended as a substitute for leather.

I have friends that have never so much as put a scratch on their strop from the very beginning. I personally made hamburger out of my first strop.

How is your stropping going? Are you past the stage where you need a starter strop?

A couple of thoughts. The SRD strops have both leather and fabric that can be replaced, so if you destroy the strop, you can easily replace it. Next, what is your budget? The SRD Horsehide strop is still on sale and I bought one a few weeks ago. This is a strop that needs nurturing - a lot of palm rubbing, but the draw is already developing on mine and I really love it. I also have the SRD modular strop, English Bridle Leather, and Latigo strops. They are all very good with different draws on them.

Also, they are all 3" wide. Very easy to strop on.

I would buy the horshide again without a hesitation. But that is my preference.

I picked up the 2 1/2 inch Big Momma from Star Shaving Supplies. Wouldn't you know, haven't nicked it once.

Works like a champ, though.